A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koyasan vs. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) for Hiking, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a breathtaking, other-worldly, and spiritual national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Koyasan and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock): Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Koyasan is well known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is well known for its natural beauty and its spiritual and sacred significance in the Anangu culture. Also, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is famous for Uluru.

How is Koyasan different from Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Koyasan is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Koyasan specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). The Cultural Center offers information on the local Anangu culture. Also make sure you visit Field of Light, which is an art installation that is impressive. Wintjiri Arts and Museum is another local spot that is worth visiting.

Is the Food Better in Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). Many of the dining options are connected with the resorts in the area. A bucket list experience is to enjoy outdoor dining with a 4 or 5 course menu under the desert moon. Many visitors also enjoy the unique experience of an outdoor barbecue, complete with local foods and a stunning sunset view. There are several fine dining options in the area, and a handful of budget-friendly places to eat as well.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Nightlife?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a national park with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Dining under the stars is the best way to experience a night at Uluru.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Resorts?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a great destination for its resorts. However, Koyasan is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) to choose from. While there is nowhere to stay inside the park, just outside there are many resorts and hotels. Many of the options in the area are run by one or two companies. There are also campgrounds nearby.

Koyasan is not a resort destination.

Is Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a very popular place for its old town. However, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) does not have a historic 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.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Hiking?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are countless walks in the area that pass by stunning viewpoints and surreal rock formations. You can feel the natural beauty and the spirituality of the park as you soak up the other-worldly landscape. Out of respect for the people and nature, always stay on marked trails.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find everything you need as far as forgotten essentials and tourist souvenirs nearby.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Families?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a very kid-friendly national park. Kids and adults alike will benefit from learning about the local Anangu culture. You can visit the Cultural Center or take an informative guided tour of the area. A visit to the Field of Lights is sure to impress as well. Other family-friendly activities include camel rides, beautiful hikes, helicopter rides and reptile shows.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Couples?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The natural and spiritual beauty of this sight make it a truly romantic destination. Sunrise and sunset are particularly spectacular. There are also romantic resorts, adventure-filled activities, and unique dining opportunities that will make this an amazing honeymoon or anniversary trip.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a great national park to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers choose to stay at a hostel or campground near the sight. There are also some cheaper tour options that cater to the backpacker crowd.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koyasan is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Koyasan has some 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 limited or non-existant in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). There's no public transit or taxis in the area, but there is a hop-on hop-off bus as well as private bus tours and rental cars that you can arrange.

Is Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) a more walkable city?

Koyasan is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a somewhat walkable town. There are many walks in the area, and seeing Uluru on foot is one of the most rewarding ways to explore.

For even more information, also check out Is Koyasan Worth Visiting? and Is Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

It's fun to spend time in either Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). Generally, people tend to spend more time in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Koyasan, and 3-4 days is enough time in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock).

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock).

One day in Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koyasan, one day is sufficent for most. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

In Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), you'll find museums and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This national park 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Koyasan or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Koyasan is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Koyasan is a great place to explore. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.

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