A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kanazawa vs. Dewa Sanzan for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a traditional, religious, and sacred religious site. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums.

Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations, Kanazawa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kanazawa is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its hiking. Kanazawa is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also well known for Kenroku-en Garden. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Kanazawa different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.


Is the Food Better in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Kanazawa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is very good for its old town. However, Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kanazawa. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.


Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Kanazawa is well-known for its shopping. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Kanazawa is a family-friendly city. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.


Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Both Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Kanazawa is a nice destination for couples. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Dewa Sanzan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan are nice places to visit.

Kanazawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Students?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.


Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Kanazawa has some public transit options. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Kanazawa
Dewa Sanzan

Kanazawa is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Kanazawa is a very walkable city. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dewa Sanzan than in Kanazawa. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kanazawa, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanazawa than Dewa Sanzan 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 Kanazawa.


  • How many days in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan? Ideal Length of Stay
    Kanazawa 1-2 
    Dewa Sanzan 2-3

One day in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Kanazawa. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The religious site of Dewa Sanzan offers museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


A weekend in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Kanazawa. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this religious site makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dewa Sanzan, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

The cultural city of Kanazawa offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kanazawa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This religious site offers something for everyone.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Kanazawa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kanazawa is $104, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $66. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kanazawa $65
    Dewa Sanzan $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kanazawa $130
    Dewa Sanzan $56
Compare Hotels in Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan

Looking for a hotel in Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Kanazawa


Hotels in Dewa Sanzan


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kanazawa Hotel Prices and Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kanazawa $9.43
    Dewa Sanzan $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanazawa

Also for Kanazawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Kanazawa Port to Nagoya Int Airport (NGO): $132
  • Noto Airport to/from Kanazawa City Private Transfer: $322
  • Kanazawa City to/from Wakura City Private transfer: $258

Is it cheaper to fly into Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan and Kanazawa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kanazawa $33
    Dewa Sanzan $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa

For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Kanazawa Home Cooking Class: $44
  • Sneaking into a Cooking Class for Japanese: $59
  • Sneaking into a Cooking Class for Japanese: $61
  • Geiko or Geisha Performance with Dinner: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kanazawa $9.86
    Dewa Sanzan $9.34

Tours and Activities in Kanazawa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.

  • “Be a Local” Kanazawa Izakaya Hop Tour: $81
  • 1 Day Tour from Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen: $233
  • 1-Day Shirakawago & Takayama Tour (Round Trip from Kanazawa): $172
  • 4 Hour Unique Kanazawa Cherry Blossom Sakura Private Experience: $219
  • Afternoon Round Trip Tour from Kanazawa: $91
  • E-Bike Cycling with Guided Tour of Kanazawa Main & Kenrokuen: $77
  • Full Day Tour Eiheiji Buddhist Temple and Fukui City Castle Town: $219
  • Full-Day Tour from Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha: $155
  • Futamata Clay Factory Tour: $297
  • Gokayama/Shirakawago private 1 day tour+Photoshoot by professional photographer : $221
  • Guided Night Tour to Feel the Samurai Culture in Kanazawa: $58
  • Hidden Gems Of Private & Personalized Walking Experience: $103

Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan

For Dewa Sanzan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Small-Group Zenpoji Temple Zen Experience in Yamagata: $216
  • Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $236

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kanazawa $12
    Dewa Sanzan $7.36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dewa Sanzan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dewa Sanzan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa than you might in Dewa Sanzan.

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



When is the best time to visit Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Dewa Sanzan. The summer months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

In the summer, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 23°C (74°F).

Kanazawa usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kanazawa 26°C (78°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Dewa Sanzan. The shopping scene are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails.

In October, Kanazawa is generally a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Kanazawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dewa Sanzan. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kanazawa 17°C (62°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kanazawa. Kanazawa is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kanazawa 3°C (38°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)

Should I visit Kanazawa or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Kanazawa during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Kanazawa is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Kanazawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dewa Sanzan. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kanazawa 12°C (54°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Kanazawa

Kanazawa Dewa Sanzan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 294 mm (11.6 in) -1°C (30°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 192 mm (7.6 in) -1°C (30°F) 151 mm (6 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 202 mm (8 in) 20°C (67°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 251 mm (9.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 248 mm (9.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 203 mm (8 in) 13°C (56°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
Dec 6°C (43°F) 306 mm (12 in) 2°C (35°F) 231 mm (9.1 in)


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