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

Should you visit Yamaguchi or Koyasan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yamaguchi or Koyasan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is a scenic, traditional, and serene town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a traditional, peaceful, and serene town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Yamaguchi and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yamaguchi or Koyasan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koyasan. Although Yamaguchi and Koyasan are both popular with visitors, Koyasan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koyasan is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm, while Yamaguchi is known for its food, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is more touristy than Yamaguchi and is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. It is also home to Kongobu-ji Head Temple. Yamaguchi is popular for its temples, serene setting, and traditional ways.

How is Yamaguchi different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Koyasan and Yamaguchi.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yamaguchi can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic shrines and temples in the area, as well as the Kintai Bridge.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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).

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

Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi. The city has a long-running farming and fishing industry, so you can be assured fresh ingredients at every meal. Dishes are still deeply rooted in the area's culinary traditions, and perhaps the most famous local delicacy is the Fugu fish, otherwise known as blowfish. It's become famous among westerners as the fish can be poisonous if not prepared correctly.

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 Yamaguchi or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Yamaguchi is a town with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Yamaguchi is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some pubs and local bars, but most of the area is peaceful and tranquil, especially at night.

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 Yamaguchi or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Yamaguchi 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.

Yamaguchi does not have a historic old town.

Is Yamaguchi or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Yamaguchi and Koyasan are both places where visitors can find good hiking trails.

Yamaguchi has hiking trails worth exploring. There are hiking and walking trails throughout the prefecture so that you can energy the natural setting.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Koyasan. 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 Yamaguchi or Koyasan Better for Families?

Yamaguchi and Koyasan are both good destinations for the whole family.

Yamaguchi is a family-friendly town. The city offers beautiful temples and a glimpse into Japanese culture that kids and adults alike will enjoy. There are also beautiful gardens and nearby natural scenery.

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.

Is Yamaguchi or Koyasan Better for Couples?

Yamaguchi and Koyasan are both great to visit as a couple.

Yamaguchi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its historic temples, natural beauty, and nice green space, this is a lovely city to explore as 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.

Is Yamaguchi or Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yamaguchi and Koyasan are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yamaguchi. There are a couple of hostels and budget-friendly accommodation options in the area.

Koyasan is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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 Yamaguchi or Koyasan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Yamaguchi and Koyasan.

Yamaguchi has some public transit options. There are buses through the city and prefecture.

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.

Is Yamaguchi or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Koyasan is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Yamaguchi is somewhat walkable. There are a number of walking trails in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Yamaguchi?

How long in Yamaguchi or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Yamaguchi or Koyasan to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Koyasan than Yamaguchi. 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.

One day in Yamaguchi or Koyasan?

In Yamaguchi, you'll find food and museums. 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.

Even though Koyasan is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koyasan has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Yamaguchi or Koyasan?

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

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Yamaguchi or Koyasan?

Yamaguchi is a great place to explore. 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.

Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Yamaguchi or Koyasan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yamaguchi. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Yamaguchi. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Koyasan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When comparing the travel costs between Yamaguchi and Koyasan, we can see that Yamaguchi 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi or Koyasan in the Summer?

Both Koyasan and Yamaguchi during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Yamaguchi for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Koyasan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Yamaguchi is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Yamaguchi average around 26°C (79°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi usually gets more rain in July than Koyasan. Yamaguchi gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Koyasan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yamaguchi and Koyasan. Many visitors come to Yamaguchi in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Yamaguchi usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Yamaguchi gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yamaguchi as well as Koyasan. Most visitors come to Yamaguchi for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the museums and the cuisine.

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

Yamaguchi usually gets more rain in January than Koyasan. Yamaguchi gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Koyasan in the Spring?

Both Koyasan and Yamaguchi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Yamaguchi because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

In April, Yamaguchi is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Yamaguchi average around 14°C (57°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Yamaguchi. In April, Yamaguchi usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Yamaguchi gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Yamaguchi