Travel Budget for Koyasan Visit Koyasan on a Budget or Travel in Style

Koyasan, Wakayama-ken, Japan

How much does it cost to travel to Koyasan?

You should plan to spend around $84 (¥11,965) per day on your vacation in Koyasan. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $21 (¥2,929) on meals
  • $36 (¥5,072) on local transportation
  • $84 (¥12,000) on hotels

A one week trip to Koyasan for two people costs, on average, $1,178 (¥167,510). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $84
    ¥11,965
  • One Week Per person
    $589
    ¥83,755
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,178
    ¥167,510
  • One Month Per person
    $2,525
    ¥358,950
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,178
    ¥167,510
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $2,357
    ¥335,020
  • One Month For a couple
    $5,050
    ¥717,900
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Koyasan cost?

A one week trip to Koyasan usually costs around $589 (¥83,755) for one person and $1,178 (¥167,510) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Koyasan on average costs around $1,178 (¥167,510) for one person and $2,357 (¥335,020) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Koyasan will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Koyasan on average costs around $2,525 (¥358,950) for one person and $5,050 (¥717,900) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Koyasan has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Koyasan expensive to visit?

Koyasan is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Japan, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Asia, Koyasan is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Bangkok or Yamaguchi.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Koyasan Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Koyasan?

The average Koyasan trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Koyasan travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) ¥12,000 ($84)
Local Transportation 1 ¥5,072 ($36)
Food 2 ¥2,929 ($21)
Entertainment 1 ¥2,000 ($14)
Alcohol 2 ¥375 - 1,125 ($3 - 8)
Accommodation Budget in Koyasan

The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Koyasan can be very surprising. Some destinations have much higher price tags than others, and even within the same areas you can find a big difference between the budget-friendly and higher-end hotels. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Koyasan is $42 (¥6,000). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Koyasan is $84 (¥12,000). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $42
    ¥6,000
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $84
    ¥12,000

Hotel Prices in Koyasan

Looking for a hotel in Koyasan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Koyasan based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $205. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Transportation Budget in Koyasan
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Koyasan is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $36 (¥5,072) per person, per day, on local transportation in Koyasan.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $36
    ¥5,072


Flights to Koyasan
How much does it cost to go to Koyasan? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Koyasan
The price of renting a car in Koyasan will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Koyasan
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Koyasan can vary, the average cost of food in Koyasan is $21 (¥2,929) per day, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $21
    ¥2,929


Entertainment Budget in Koyasan
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Koyasan typically cost an average of $14 (¥2,000) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $14
    ¥2,000


Alcohol Budget in Koyasan
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $5.28 (¥750) on alcoholic beverages in Koyasan per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $5.28
    ¥750


Related Articles
Koyasan on a Budget
Koyasan Temple at Mount Koya, Japan
Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

The weather in Koya tends to be hot and humid in the summers with temperatures in the mid-80's (Fahrenheit) and get a good amount of rain. Koya also experiences typhoon season during September, so it's best to avoid the area during this time. Winters are fairly mild and stay in the mid-40's. The best times to visit are spring and late autumn when there is less rain and the temperatures stay in the high 60's.
Sights
One of the most famous attractions in Koya is Oku-no-In, the mausoleum of Kukai which is illuminated by thousands of lanters. Legend has is that the lanterns have been lit since Kukai's death, which was over 1000 years ago. The mausoleum is enclosed by a large graveyard that has winding paths and some very unique gravestones, such as, giant spaceships and a monument built by a pesticide company memorializing its insect victims.

A popular site is the Garan, a temple complex that is home to the Konpon Daito pagoda. The Shingon doctrine says that this pagoda represents the central point of a mandala that covers all of Japan. Explore the stunning garden of the Kongobu-ji Temple, which also happens to be the headquarters of the Shingon sect. The price of admission here also includes a rice cracker and a cup of tea.
Neighborhoods
Koya is essentially made up of the city at the bottom of the mountain, and the mountain itself. The mountain is home to a few different attractions, including a golf course and small shrines. The city houses the university, shops, restaurants, and the majority of the temples.

Just outside of Koya is the city of Otaki, which is famous for the large waterfalls located at the entrance of the city. Otaki is a picturesque spot for a day trip to walk around the waterfalls and enjoy a picnic.

Activities
Naturally, the most popular activity in Koya is hiking Mount Koya. There are plenty of hiking trails, one of which begins at the large gate of Daimon that leads you to a shrine at the top of Bentengaku. The top of Mount Koya provides stunning views of Wakayama city and the ocean, making it the perfect spot to stop for a picnic before heading back down.
Food and Dining
If you plan to stay in a temple, you should plan to be eating only vegetarian dishes as the monks in Koya are all vegetarian. A local specialty is Koya-dofu, a tofu dish that involves freeze drying then reconstituting the tofu for an entirely unique taste. If you don't think you could go completely vegetarian, don't worry, there are plenty of options for you. The Inoue is a popular restaurant that has the largest Om-Rice in Japan, Om-Rice is an omelette filled with rice and meat. There are also plenty of traditional izakaya, pubs, around who offer classic Japanese pub food and offer a relaxed atmosphere and a great place to meet locals.

Transportation
In Japan, trains are one of the fastest and lowest cost means of transportation. Getting a Japan Rail Pass can save you money if you plan to stay for several days or more. Regional and nation-wide passes are available, usually for the number of days of your choice.

Trains are one of the easiest options for getting into Koya and vary depending on the area you're coming from. The most popular option is the Nankai Electric Railway which takes you from Osaka to the Gokurakubashi station. Japan Rail is another option if coming from Kyoto. Once you arrive in Gokurakubashi, you take a cable car up to the top, then a bus into town. While this sounds complicated, this entire system is extremely well organized with the train, cable car, and bus schedules integrated so well that you often only have to wait a few minutes for each mode of transportation.

If you're feeling rather adventurous and wanderlust, you can take on the Choishi-michi pilgrimage trail that begins in the city of Kudoyama and runs through Koya. This is an ancient trail that takes about 7 hours to walk in total, though there are many observation huts along the way that allow pilgrims to camp in overnight. Getting around the city itself is extremely easy as everything is within walking distance.


Related:

Looking for a hostel in Japan? In search of a party in Tokyo? Traveling alone to Osaka or Tokyo?

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.