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

Should you visit Koyasan or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. 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 traditional, peaceful, and serene town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a natural, world-renowned, and diverse town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Koyasan and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotorua. Although Koyasan and Rotorua are both popular with visitors, Rotorua has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Rotorua is more popular for its food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is known for its historical sights and small town charm. Koyasan is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. It is also home to Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

How is Koyasan different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Koyasan and Rotorua.

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).

Rotorua offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

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

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat 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 Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

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 Rotorua?

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

Rotorua offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Rotorua Better for Families?

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

With a huge array of activities for kids, Rotorua is very family-friendly. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Rotorua is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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.

Is Koyasan or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

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 Rotorua offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Koyasan or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Koyasan is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Rotorua?

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

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

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

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

One day in Koyasan or Rotorua?

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koyasan has to offer.

In Rotorua, 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 Rotorua has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Rotorua?

Koyasan is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. Since Koyasan is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotorua. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotorua. 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 Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Rotorua?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Rotorua. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koyasan is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koyasan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In October, Koyasan is generally a little warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 19°C (65°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In October, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Koyasan during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Koyasan is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

Koyasan usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Rotorua. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Koyasan is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koyasan in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Koyasan