A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koyasan vs. Brisbane for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koyasan or Brisbane?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koyasan and Brisbane. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a serene, spiritual, and traditional town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a relaxed, diverse, and cultural coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Koyasan and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Brisbane?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brisbane. Although Koyasan and Brisbane are both popular with visitors, Brisbane has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Brisbane is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Koyasan is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre.

How is Koyasan different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koyasan or Brisbane?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Koyasan and Brisbane.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

Brisbane offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Is the Food Better in Koyasan or Brisbane? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Koyasan and Brisbane both to be good destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Koyasan. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Brisbane is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Brisbane know how to have a good time. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a great destination for the beache. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is great for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Koyasan. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koyasan and Brisbane, and they are good.

Koyasan offers some nice hiking trails. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Brisbane is a good destination for hiking. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Brisbane?

Brisbane is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Brisbane is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Families?

Brisbane is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Brisbane is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Koyasan is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Koyasan is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is a great destination for students. However, Koyasan is not popular with students.

Many students visit Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Koyasan is not popular with students.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Koyasan and Brisbane.

You'll find some public transit in Koyasan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Koyasan or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Brisbane both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Koyasan is a very walkable town. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Koyasan Worth Visiting? and Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Brisbane?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane than Koyasan 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 Brisbane.

One day in Koyasan or Brisbane?

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Brisbane, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Koyasan or Brisbane?

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

In Brisbane, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brisbane has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Brisbane?

Koyasan 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.

Brisbane is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A week in Koyasan or Brisbane?

Koyasan is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koyasan and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koyasan is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane than you might in Koyasan.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Brisbane?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Koyasan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Koyasan or Brisbane in the Summer?

Both Brisbane and Koyasan during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koyasan is around the same temperature as Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koyasan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Brisbane averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein January. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets less rain in July than Brisbanein January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Brisbane in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Brisbane. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Koyasan is generally cooler than Brisbanein April. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 19°C (65°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during autumn. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brisbanein April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Brisbane in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Brisbane. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Koyasan is much colder than Brisbane in the winter. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the winter, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein July. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun.

Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Brisbanein July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Brisbane in the Spring?

Both Brisbane and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

In the spring, Koyasan is cooler than Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koyasan in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Brisbane averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during spring. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In April, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Brisbanein October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Koyasan