A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koyasan vs. Byron Bay for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koyasan or Byron Bay?

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 Byron Bay. 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 spiritual, traditional, and peaceful town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Koyasan is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food. See Koyasan travel costs.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a relaxed, mellow, and vegan-friendly town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of Byron Bay is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking. See Byron Bay travel costs.

Koyasan and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Byron Bay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Byron Bay than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Byron Bay is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and small town charm. Koyasan is well known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Byron Bay is well known for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. Also, Byron Bay is famous for Cape Byron Lighthouse.

How is Koyasan different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay?

Koyasan is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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).

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

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

Byron Bay is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Byron Bay. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Byron Bay know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

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 Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is a great destination for its resorts. However, Koyasan is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Byron Bay to choose from. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Koyasan is not a resort destination.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Byron Bay is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Byron Bay offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a well-known place for its old town. However, Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koyasan and Byron Bay, and they are notable.

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.

Byron Bay is a good destination for hiking. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Byron Bay?

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

Byron Bay is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay More Beautiful?

Byron Bay is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Byron Bay is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's pristine beaches and laid back style make it a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.

Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay Better for Families?

Both Koyasan and Byron Bay are notable family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koyasan. 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.

Byron Bay offers lots of family activities. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Byron Bay both very good destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Koyasan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Byron Bay is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Byron Bay is a great town to visit for backpackers. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

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 Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koyasan is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Koyasan has a few public transit options. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Koyasan or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Koyasan is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable town. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Byron Bay?

Both Koyasan and Byron Bay have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Byron Bay than in Koyasan. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Koyasan, and 3-7 days is enough time in Byron Bay.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay.

One day in Koyasan or Byron Bay?

Even though Koyasan is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koyasan has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Byron Bay, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This town 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 Byron Bay?

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Byron Bay, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Koyasan or Byron Bay?

Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Byron Bay is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Byron Bay has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Koyasan or Byron Bay?

Koyasan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Byron Bay. In Byron Bay, you'll find shopping and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koyasan and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Byron Bay?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Byron Bay. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Koyasan is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

Byron Bay receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koyasan or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Byron Bay. The autumn months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

In the autumn, Koyasan is around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koyasan in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 20°C (69°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan usually gets less rain in October than Byron Bayin April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Koyasan is generally much colder than Byron Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 6°C (42°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In January, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koyasan or Byron Bay in the Spring?

Both Byron Bay and Koyasan during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Koyasan is cooler than Byron Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets more rain in April than Byron Bayin October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Koyasan