A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Tokyo vs. Koyasan for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Tokyo or Koyasan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a iconic, eclectic, and cutting edge city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Tokyo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping. See Tokyo travel costs.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a serene, spiritual, and traditional town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Koyasan travel costs.

Tokyo and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Koyasan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tokyo. Although Tokyo and Koyasan are both popular with visitors, Tokyo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tokyo is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is known for its historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Tokyo is popular for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also home to The Sensō-ji Temple. Koyasan is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.

How is Tokyo different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koyasan and Tokyo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tokyo or Koyasan?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Tokyo are among the most recognizable in the world. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

Koyasan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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).

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

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Tokyo, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

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 Tokyo or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

People head to Tokyo just to party. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

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 Tokyo or Koyasan Better for Music?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Koyasan is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Tokyo The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Koyasan is not a live music destination.

Is Tokyo or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

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

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is Tokyo or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a popular place for hiking. However, Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

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.

Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Koyasan?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

The abundance of shops in Tokyo make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tokyo or Koyasan More Beautiful?

Tokyo is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Tokyo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's colorful skyscrapers and historic temples make this a truly one-of-a-kind place to explore.

Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Is Tokyo or Koyasan Better for Families?

Tokyo 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, Tokyo is very family-friendly. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

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 Tokyo or Koyasan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Tokyo and Koyasan make for a superb place to visit.

Tokyo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

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.

Is Tokyo or Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tokyo and Koyasan are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Tokyo. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

Koyasan is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Tokyo or Koyasan Better for Students?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for students. However, Koyasan is not popular with students.

Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for students. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Koyasan is not popular with students.

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

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

With a huge network, the transit system in Tokyo can get you around easily. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

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 Tokyo or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Tokyo on foot is easy. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tokyo or Koyasan to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tokyo than Koyasan because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Koyasan.

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

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

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

One day in Tokyo or Koyasan?

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Koyasan is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tokyo or Koyasan?

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tokyo or Koyasan?

Tokyo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tokyo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Koyasan is a fun place to experience. Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tokyo or Koyasan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Koyasan, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive? and Is Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Tokyo or Koyasan?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Koyasan. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo usually gets less rain in July than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

Tokyo is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Tokyo is around the same temperature as Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Koyasan. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Tokyo