A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koyasan vs. Noosa Heads for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Koyasan or Noosa Heads?

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 Noosa Heads. 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 beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a natural, charming, and laid back coastal town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Koyasan and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Noosa Heads?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Noosa Heads than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Noosa Heads is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Koyasan is well known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Noosa Heads is well known for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. Also, Noosa Heads is famous for Noosa Main Beach.

How is Koyasan different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Koyasan is a great town for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

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).

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

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

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

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

Noosa Heads has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Noosa Heads offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Noosa Heads Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a great town for its old town. However, Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa 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 Noosa Heads?

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

Noosa Heads offers some nice shopping areas. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

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

Noosa Heads is a very kid-friendly coastal town. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

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 Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Is Koyasan or Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Noosa Heads is a great coastal town to visit for backpackers. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

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 Noosa Heads offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Koyasan or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is a very walkable destination. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

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

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Koyasan or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Noosa Heads due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Koyasan, and 2-4 days is enough time in Noosa Heads.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

One day in Koyasan or Noosa Heads?

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Noosa Heads, you'll find shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal 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 Noosa Heads?

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Noosa Heads, you'll find nightlife and food. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Noosa Heads has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Noosa Heads?

Because Koyasan is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Noosa Heads?

Since Koyasan is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Noosa Heads. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Noosa Heads. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Noosa Heads?

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

Both Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Koyasan is a little warmer than Noosa Heads in the summer. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in January.

Noosa Heads gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets more rain in July than Noosa Headsin January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Noosa Heads. 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 Noosa Heads this time of year.

In the autumn, Koyasan is a little warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koyasan in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (58°F)in April.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

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

In January, Koyasan is generally cooler than Noosa Headsin July. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 6°C (42°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Noosa Headsin July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

Both Noosa Heads 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. Also, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Koyasan is around the same temperature as Noosa Heads in the spring. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In April, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Koyasan