A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ise vs. Dunedin for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Ise or Dunedin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ise and Dunedin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Ise

Ise is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and overlooked city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a small, hilly, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Ise and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ise or Dunedin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dunedin. Although Ise and Dunedin are about the same size, Dunedin has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dunedin is more popular for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Ise is known for its food. Ise is popular for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting. Dunedin is popular for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula. It is also home to .

How is Ise different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dunedin and Ise. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ise or Dunedin?

Dunedin is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dunedin. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Ise. While this is an often overlooked part of Japan for tourists, those who venture here will enjoy strolling through the forest and visiting the shrine complex of Ise Jingu.

Is the Food Better in Ise or Dunedin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ise is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Ise is an experience not to be missed. You'll find some of Japan's best seafood around town and there are many local delicacies. Head to the downtown area around Iseshi Station to find a high concentration of places. One local specialty is the Japanese spiny lobster (also known as the Ise lobster).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dunedin. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

Dunedin is well known for nightlife and partying. However, Ise is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Dunedin is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

Ise doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Beaches?

Both Ise and Dunedin are considered to be good beach destinations.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Ise. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.

Dunedin offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

Dunedin is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Dunedin. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ise or Dunedin?

Dunedin is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Dunedin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

Ise has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a shopping street in town with many of the shops housed in traditional buildings, giving the area a nice character.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Families?

Dunedin is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dunedin is a very kid-friendly city. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

Ise offers lots of family activities. The Ise Jingu Shrine complex is large and sprawling, and has the feel of a park. The kids will likely find visiting all of the temples tedious, but the forest is peaceful and the setting is beautiful.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Couples?

Both Ise and Dunedin are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Ise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is an off-the-beaten path destination that is far more than a shrine - it's a complex of shrines. It's spread out over a large space and filled with forest and peaceful walks that couples will enjoy.

Dunedin is a good city for couples to visit. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dunedin is well known for backpackers. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dunedin is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ise. It's off the radar for many backpackers, but those that make it here will find a couple of hostels and affordable accommodation options.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Students?

Dunedin is well known for students. However, Ise is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Dunedin. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

Ise is not popular with students.

Is Ise or Dunedin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Ise and Dunedin.

You'll find some public transit in Ise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

While Dunedin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

Is Ise or Dunedin a more walkable city?

Dunedin is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Dunedin is a very walkable city. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

Ise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking paths through the complex that connect the shrines, but some of the distances can be significant.

For even more information, also check out Is Ise Worth Visiting? and Is Dunedin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Ise?

How long in Ise or Dunedin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ise and Dunedin. In our opinion, Dunedin has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Dunedin than Ise. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Dunedin than Ise. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dunedin, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dunedin than Ise. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dunedin that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dunedin than Ise if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dunedin.

One day in Ise or Dunedin?

In Ise, you'll find museums and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With nightlife and food around the small destination of Dunedin, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Ise or Dunedin?

In Ise, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ise has to offer.

Many people visit Dunedin for a weekend. With food and shopping around the small city of Dunedin, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Ise or Dunedin?

Ise is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The destination of Dunedin offers shopping and museums. It offers something for everyone. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Ise or Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ise. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ise. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Dunedin, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Ise and Dunedin, we can see that Dunedin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ise is in Asia and Dunedin is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ise Expensive? and Is Dunedin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ise or Dunedin?

Dunedin has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Ise and Dunedin, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.