A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Byron Bay for Beaches, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Atami or Byron Bay?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Byron Bay can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Atami travel costs.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a Bohemian, relaxed, and mellow town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of Byron Bay is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Byron Bay travel costs.

Atami and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Byron Bay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Byron Bay than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Byron Bay is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Atami is more popular for its museums and attractions. Byron Bay is more touristy than Atami and is popular for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. Also, Byron Bay is famous for Cape Byron Lighthouse. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Byron Bay?

Atami is a town with good options for its sights and museums. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for its museums and history.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Byron Bay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Byron Bay has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Byron Bay has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

In Byron Bay, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Byron Bay is renowned for the beach. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Byron Bay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

Byron Bay is a town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Byron Bay. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Byron Bay is well-known for its shopping. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Atami or Byron Bay More Beautiful?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Byron Bay is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's pristine beaches and laid back style make it a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.

Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Families?

Both Atami and Byron Bay are notable to visit with kids.

Atami is a family-friendly town. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Byron Bay. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Byron Bay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Byron Bay. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Atami or Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is mostly limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Atami or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Atami and Byron Bay are notable when it comes to walkability.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable town. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Byron Bay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Atami?

How long in Atami or Byron Bay?

Both Atami and Byron Bay have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Byron Bay than in Atami. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 3-7 days is enough time in Byron Bay.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Byron Bay than Atami 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 Byron Bay.

One day in Atami or Byron Bay?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Atami. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atami has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Byron Bay, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this carefree destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atami or Byron Bay?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Atami. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Byron Bay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Byron Bay?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the overlooked town of Atami. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Byron Bay is a fun place to experience. In Byron Bay, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the beaches. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Atami or Byron Bay?

Atami is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

In Byron Bay, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this vegan-friendly destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atami and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Atami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Atami is in Asia and Byron Bay 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 Atami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atami 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay than you might in Atami.

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

Which is Bigger, Atami or Byron Bay?

Atami has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Byron Bay, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Atami or Byron Bay?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Byron Bay is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Atami has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Atami or Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Atami as well as Byron Bay. The summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

Atami is around the same temperature as Byron Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atami usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atami or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Atami are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Atami this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Atami is cooler than Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atami in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 20°C (69°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Atami. In October, Atami usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin April. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atami or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Atami during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Atami is generally much colder than Byron Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 5°C (42°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Atami usually gets more rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atami or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atami and Byron Bay. Many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Atami is cooler than Byron Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Atami usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin October. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Atami