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

Should you visit Koyasan or Wollongong?

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 Wollongong. 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a vibrant, student-friendly, and trendy coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koyasan and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Wollongong?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wollongong. Although Koyasan and Wollongong are both popular with visitors, Wollongong has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wollongong is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Koyasan is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is more touristy than Wollongong and is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Wollongong is popular for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. It is also home to Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Koyasan different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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).

Wollongong offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

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

Wollongong 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 Wollongong. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

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 Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Wollongong know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

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 Wollongong Better for Beaches?

Wollongong is a great destination for the beache. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wollongong for it's beautiful beaches. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Wollongong Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is great for its historic old town charm. However, Wollongong 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.

Wollongong does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koyasan and Wollongong, and they are good.

Koyasan offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Wollongong is a good destination for hiking. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Wollongong?

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

Wollongong offers some nice shopping areas. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Wollongong Better for Families?

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

Wollongong is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

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 Wollongong Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Wollongong both superb 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.

Wollongong is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

Is Koyasan or Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Wollongong are good 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 Wollongong. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Koyasan or Wollongong Better for Students?

Wollongong is a good destination for students. However, Koyasan is not popular with students.

Wollongong is popular with students. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Koyasan is not popular with students.

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

Wollongong is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Wollongong has some very good public transit options. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

While Koyasan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Is Koyasan or Wollongong a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Wollongong both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Wollongong is a very walkable destination. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

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

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Wollongong?

It's fun to spend time in either Koyasan or Wollongong. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wollongong 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 Wollongong.

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

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

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

One day in Koyasan or Wollongong?

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koyasan, one day is sufficent for most.

In Wollongong, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city 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 Wollongong?

Even though Koyasan is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Wollongong, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wollongong has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Wollongong?

Koyasan, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wollongong 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 Wollongong?

Koyasan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wollongong. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wollongong. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Wollongong?

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

Both Wollongong and Koyasan during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Wollongong for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koyasan is a little warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koyasan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Wollongong averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin January. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets more rain in July than Wollongongin January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Wollongong in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Wollongong. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wollongong in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Wollongongin April. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 19°C (65°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during autumn. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Wollongongin April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Wollongong in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Wollongong. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Wollongong for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Koyasan is much colder than Wollongong in the winter. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. In the winter, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin July. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun.

Koyasan usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Wollongongin July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Wollongong in the Spring?

Both Wollongong and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koyasan is cooler than Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koyasan in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Wollongong averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during spring. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Koyasan