A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Koyasan vs. Hiroshima for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Koyasan or Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima. 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's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a memorable, meaningful, and park-filled city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koyasan and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Hiroshima?

Both Hiroshima and Koyasan have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Koyasan is very popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hiroshima attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Koyasan is more touristy than Hiroshima and is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Hiroshima is famous for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Koyasan different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hiroshima is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Hiroshima are among the most recognizable in the world. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Koyasan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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).

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

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

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 Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

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

Hiroshima has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

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 Hiroshima Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a great town for its historic old town. However, Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Hiroshima Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a town with good options for hiking. However, Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Koyasan. 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.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Hiroshima?

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

Hiroshima is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Hiroshima Better for Families?

Both Koyasan and Hiroshima are nice 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.

Hiroshima offers lots of family activities. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Koyasan or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

Koyasan is a great town for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Koyasan or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Hiroshima are nice 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 Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

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

Hiroshima is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Hiroshima has some very good public transit options. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

While Koyasan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Is Koyasan or Hiroshima a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Hiroshima both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Hiroshima is a very walkable destination. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Hiroshima?

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

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

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

One day in Koyasan or Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This 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 Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hiroshima has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Hiroshima?

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.

Hiroshima 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.

A week in Koyasan or Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hiroshima. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koyasan and Hiroshima, we can see that Hiroshima is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hiroshima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Hiroshima?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Koyasan or Hiroshima in the Summer?

Both Hiroshima and Koyasan during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Hiroshima because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Hiroshima. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 27°C (81°F), and Hiroshima fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the summer, Koyasan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 194 hours of full sun.

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Hiroshima. 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Hiroshima this time of year.

Koyasan is around the same temperature as Hiroshima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Hiroshima during autumn. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Hiroshima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Hiroshima. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hiroshima for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hiroshima. In the winter, Koyasan is a little warmer than Hiroshima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koyasan in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Hiroshima. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 153 hours of full sun.

Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Hiroshima. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Hiroshima in the Spring?

Both Hiroshima and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Hiroshima. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 15°C (59°F), and Hiroshima fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Hiroshima during spring. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In April, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Hiroshima. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Koyasan