A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Koyasan vs. Sado for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Koyasan or Sado?

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 Sado. 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.

Sado

Sado is a cultural, off-the-beaten-path, and traditional island. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Koyasan and Sado: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Sado?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koyasan. Although Koyasan and Sado are popular destinations, Koyasan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koyasan is very popular for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sado attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and shopping. Koyasan is more touristy than Sado and is known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. It is also well known for Kongobu-ji Head Temple. Sado is famous for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis.

How is Koyasan different from Sado?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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).

Sado offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The former gold mines are open to the public and fascinating to explore. For a traditional town, head to Shukunegi, which has narrow alleys and historic homes. Also worth a visit is the Sado History Museum.

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

Sado 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 Sado. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.

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 Sado Better for Nightlife?

Neither Koyasan or Sado offer decent nightlife.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koyasan. This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Sado This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.

Is Koyasan or Sado Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is notable for its historic old town. However, Sado does not have a historic 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.

Sado does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Sado Better for Hiking?

Sado 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 Sado. There is wonderful hiking on the island. Head to the Osado Mountain Range for wildflowers and spectacular views and scenery.

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 Sado?

Sado is a island with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Sado has some nice offerings. You'll find shops where you can pick up any necessities that you may have forgotten. There are also souvenir shops where you can find local items to remember your trip.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Sado Better for Families?

Both Koyasan and Sado 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.

Sado offers lots of family activities. The former gold mines are fascinating and open to the public. There are also parks and interesting wildlife such as the Japanese ibis that you can see.

Is Koyasan or Sado Better for Couples?

Koyasan is notable for romance. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its romantic activities.

Koyasan is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Sado makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area's history and nature make it a unique place for a couple's trip. There are museums, and outdoor spaces that you visit as well as the interesting mines.

Is Koyasan or Sado Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Sado 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 Sado. There are a couple of hostels as well as guesthouses that backpackers can stay at while they're in town.

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

Koyasan is a popular place for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.

Koyasan has a few public transit options. 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.

Public transit is quite limited in Sado. There are no trains on the island and the bus routes are infrequent and slow. You really must have a car to explore the area.

Is Koyasan or Sado a more walkable city?

Koyasan is notable for its walkability. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its high level of walkability.

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

Sado is not a very walkable town. The island isn't particularly walkable, so you'll want to have a vehicle to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Sado or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Sado?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Koyasan than Sado. 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.

One day in Koyasan or Sado?

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Sado, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This island 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 Sado?

Koyasan is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Sado, you'll find museums 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sado has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Sado?

Koyasan is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sado 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 Sado?

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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Sado. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Sado. 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 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 Sado, we can see that Koyasan is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sado would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sado 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan than you might in Sado.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koyasan Expensive? and Is Sado Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Sado?

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 Sado in the Summer?

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

In July, Koyasan is generally a little warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 27°C (81°F), and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Sado during summer. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sado. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koyasan or Sado in the Autumn?

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

Koyasan is a little warmer than Sado in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Koyasan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sado. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan usually gets less rain in October than Sado. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Sado in the Winter?

Both Sado 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 Sado for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sado can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Koyasan is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koyasan in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Sado averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Koyasan usually receives more sunshine than Sado during winter. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In January, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Sado. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koyasan or Sado in the Spring?

Both Sado 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.

In April, Koyasan is generally a little warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 15°C (59°F), and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the spring, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Sado. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun.

Sado 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 April than Sado. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sado and Koyasan