A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Koyasan vs. Kamakura for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Koyasan or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura. 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 gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a charming, laid back, and ancient coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koyasan and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Kamakura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura. Although Koyasan and Kamakura are popular destinations, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Koyasan attracts visitors for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is famous for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha.

How is Koyasan different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Koyasan and Kamakura.

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).

Kamakura offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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

Kamakura 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 Kamakura. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

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 Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Kamakura know how to have a good time. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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 Kamakura Better for Beaches?

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

Kamakura offers a nice beach destination. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a well-known place for its historic old town. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its old town.

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Is Koyasan or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koyasan and Kamakura, and they are nice.

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.

Kamakura is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Kamakura?

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

Kamakura offers some nice shopping areas. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Kamakura Better for Families?

Both Koyasan and Kamakura 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.

Kamakura offers lots of family activities. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Koyasan or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Kamakura both superb 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.

Kamakura is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Koyasan or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Kamakura 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 Kamakura. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Koyasan or Kamakura 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 Kamakura.

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 Kamakura offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Koyasan or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Koyasan is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koyasan or Kamakura to fill your time. In our opinion, Kamakura has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kamakura than Koyasan. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kamakura 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 Kamakura.

One day in Koyasan or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura, you'll find nightlife and food. This coastal city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Koyasan or Kamakura?

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

Five days in Koyasan or Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura 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 Kamakura?

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 Kamakura. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. 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 Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Kamakura?

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 Koyasan or Kamakura in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Kamakura. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 27°C (81°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Koyasan usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kamakura 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 Kamakura. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koyasan or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Kamakura. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Koyasan is around the same temperature as Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Koyasan often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan usually gets less rain in October than Kamakura. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Kamakura in the Winter?

Both Kamakura and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Koyasan is cooler than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koyasan in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Kamakura during winter. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koyasan or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Koyasan during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches.

In April, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 15°C (59°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Koyasan often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.

Kamakura 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 April than Kamakura. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Koyasan