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

Should you visit Koyasan or Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa. 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.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koyasan and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Kanazawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Koyasan and Kanazawa are popular destinations, Kanazawa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kanazawa is very popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Koyasan attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is famous for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also well known for Kenroku-en Garden.

How is Koyasan different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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).

Kanazawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

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

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

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 Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Kanazawa has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

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 Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is great for its historic old town. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Many people head to Kanazawa to see the old town. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Is Koyasan or Kanazawa Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is very good for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Kanazawa?

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

Kanazawa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Both Koyasan and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa offers lots of family activities. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Is Koyasan or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

Koyasan is great for romance. Also, Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Is Koyasan or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Koyasan or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a good destination for students. However, Koyasan is not popular with students.

Kanazawa is popular with students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Koyasan is not popular with students.

Is Koyasan or Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa.

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 Kanazawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Is Koyasan or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa is a very walkable destination. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Kanazawa?

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

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

One day in Koyasan or Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa, you'll find nightlife and food. This 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 Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa, 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 Kanazawa has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Kanazawa?

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.

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa?

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa in the Summer?

Both Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In the summer, Koyasan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa for the shopping scene during these months.

Koyasan is a little warmer than Kanazawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa during autumn. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Kanazawa in the Winter?

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

The weather in Kanazawa can be very cold. In the winter, Koyasan is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koyasan in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Koyasan often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Kanazawa in the Spring?

Both Kanazawa 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.

In April, Koyasan is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 15°C (59°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa during spring. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In April, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Koyasan