A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dewa Sanzan vs. Wellington for Food, Hiking, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dewa Sanzan and Wellington can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a sacred, remote, and traditional religious site. Visitors also love the hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Wellington travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Wellington than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wellington is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan is more popular for its hiking. Wellington is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Dewa Sanzan is well known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Dewa Sanzan and Wellington.

Dewa Sanzan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Wellington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dewa Sanzan. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Families?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly religious site. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Wellington are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Dewa Sanzan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Wellington is a good religious site for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting? and Is Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dewa Sanzan and Wellington. In our opinion, Wellington has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Wellington than Dewa Sanzan. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington than Dewa Sanzan 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 Wellington.

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

With museums around the traditional religious site of Dewa Sanzan, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funky city of Wellington. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

With museums around the destination of Dewa Sanzan, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 religious site.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

Dewa Sanzan, a popular religious site, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The compact city of Wellington offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

Dewa Sanzan 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Dewa Sanzan or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dewa Sanzan is a little warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around 23°C (74°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wellington. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Dewa Sanzan gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. In July, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Dewa Sanzan gets 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Dewa Sanzan during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking trails. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In the autumn, Dewa Sanzan is cooler than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dewa Sanzan in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In the autumn, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dewa Sanzan and Wellington. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dewa Sanzan in the winter. In January, Dewa Sanzan is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around -1°C (30°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Dewa Sanzan usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin July. Dewa Sanzan gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dewa Sanzan as well as Wellington. Additionally, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.

Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In the spring, Dewa Sanzan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Wellingtonin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Dewa Sanzan