A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koyasan vs. Adelaide for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Koyasan or Adelaide?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koyasan and Adelaide. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a traditional, peaceful, and serene town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Koyasan is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums. See Koyasan travel costs.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a friendly, under-rated, and elegant city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Adelaide travel costs.

Koyasan and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Adelaide?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Adelaide. Although Koyasan and Adelaide are popular destinations, Adelaide has more sights and attractions for tourists. Adelaide is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Koyasan attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is more touristy than Adelaide and is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Adelaide is famous for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. It is also well known for the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

How is Koyasan different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Koyasan is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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).

Adelaide offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

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

Foodies will find both Koyasan and Adelaide both to be nice destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Koyasan. 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.

Adelaide is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Adelaide is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

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 Koyasan or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is a great destination for the beach. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koyasan and Adelaide, and they are nice.

Koyasan offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Adelaide is a good destination for hiking. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Adelaide?

Adelaide is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Adelaide is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide More Beautiful?

Koyasan is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koyasan is a gorgeous place to visit. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Adelaide is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide Better for Families?

Both Koyasan and Adelaide are nice family-friendly destinations.

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.

Adelaide offers lots of family activities. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Koyasan is a very popular place for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Koyasan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan and Adelaide are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Koyasan. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Koyasan or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a good destination for students. However, Koyasan is not popular with students.

Adelaide is popular with students. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Koyasan is not popular with students.

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

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

Adelaide has some very good public transit options. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

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 Koyasan or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Adelaide both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Adelaide is a very walkable destination. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Koyasan or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Adelaide due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Koyasan, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

Families should spend more time in Koyasan than Adelaide. 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.

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

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

One day in Koyasan or Adelaide?

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Adelaide, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Koyasan or Adelaide?

Koyasan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koyasan, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Koyasan or Adelaide?

Koyasan is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Adelaide is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A week in Koyasan or Adelaide?

Koyasan is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Adelaide?

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

Should I visit Koyasan or Adelaide in the Summer?

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

In July, Koyasan is generally a little warmer than Adelaidein January. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 27°C (81°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. In the summer, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Adelaidein January. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 330 hours of full sun.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan usually gets more rain in July than Adelaidein January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Adelaide in the Autumn?

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

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

It's quite sunny in Adelaide. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Adelaide during autumn. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 215 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In October, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Adelaidein April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Adelaide in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Koyasan is much colder than Adelaide. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koyasan in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Adelaide averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

In the winter, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Adelaidein July. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun.

Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Adelaidein July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Adelaide in the Spring?

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

In April, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Adelaidein October. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 15°C (59°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Adelaide during spring. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Adelaidein October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Koyasan