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

Should you visit Koyasan or Darwin?

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 Darwin. 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. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Darwin

Darwin is a authentic, local, and tropical town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koyasan and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Darwin?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Darwin than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Darwin is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Koyasan is more popular for its museums, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is more touristy than Darwin and is known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Darwin is well known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Also, Darwin is famous for Mindil Beach.

How is Koyasan different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Koyasan is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Koyasan can be an interesting and educational experience. 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).

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Koyasan and Darwin both to be notable 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.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Koyasan or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

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

Darwin has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

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 Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a good destination for the beache. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Darwin offers a nice beach destination. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Darwin Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is notable for its old town. However, Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Koyasan to see the historical old town. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Darwin?

Darwin is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Darwin offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Darwin Better for Families?

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

Darwin is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

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 Darwin Better for Couples?

Koyasan is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Koyasan is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Darwin is a good town for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Koyasan or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Darwin are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Is Koyasan or Darwin 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 Darwin.

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 Darwin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Koyasan or Darwin a more walkable city?

Koyasan is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Darwin 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.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable town. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Darwin?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Koyasan than Darwin. 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 Darwin 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 Darwin.

One day in Koyasan or Darwin?

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Darwin, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Darwin?

Koyasan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Koyasan or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Darwin is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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 Darwin?

Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Darwin. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Darwin?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Darwin. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Koyasan is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.

Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Darwin during summer. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.

Darwin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koyasan or Darwin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Darwin. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Darwin because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Koyasan is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koyasan in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. In the autumn, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In January, Koyasan is generally much colder than Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 6°C (42°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Darwin. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koyasan or Darwin in the Spring?

Both Darwin and Koyasan during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches.

Koyasan is much colder than Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets more rain in April than Darwinin October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Koyasan