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

Should you visit Koyasan or Torquay?

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 Torquay. 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.

Torquay

Torquay is a casual, laid back, and hip surf town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koyasan and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Torquay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Torquay than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Torquay is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Koyasan is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Koyasan is more touristy than Torquay and is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. Also, Torquay is famous for Bells Beach.

How is Koyasan different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Koyasan is great for its historical sights. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Koyasan can be an interesting and educational experience. 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).

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Torquay. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

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

Foodies will find both Koyasan and Torquay both to be notable destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Koyasan. 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.

Torquay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Koyasan or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

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

Torquay has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people 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 Torquay Better for Beaches?

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

Torquay offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Torquay Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is great for its old town. However, Torquay does not have a historic old town.

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

Torquay does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay 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 Torquay. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

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 Torquay?

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

Torquay offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Torquay Better for Families?

Both Koyasan and Torquay are notable 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.

Torquay offers lots of family activities. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Koyasan or Torquay Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Torquay both great 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.

Torquay is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Is Koyasan or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Torquay are notable 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 Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

Is Koyasan or Torquay 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 Torquay.

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 Torquay offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Koyasan or Torquay a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Torquay both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Torquay is a very walkable destination. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

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

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Torquay?

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

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

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

One day in Koyasan or Torquay?

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 Torquay, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This surf 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 Torquay?

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 Torquay, 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. 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 Torquay has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Torquay?

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.

Torquay 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 Torquay?

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 Torquay. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Torquay. 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Koyasan and Torquay, we can see that Torquay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Koyasan is in Asia and Torquay is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Torquay?

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

Both Torquay and Koyasan during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Koyasan is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Torquayin January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Torquay. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Torquay because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Koyasan is cooler than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koyasan in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Torquay. The winter months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In January, Koyasan is generally much colder than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 6°C (42°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Torquayin July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Koyasan is cooler than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In April, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Koyasan