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

Should you visit Koyasan or Christchurch?

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 Christchurch. 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 peaceful, serene, and spiritual town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Koyasan is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food. See Koyasan travel costs.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and cultural city. Christchurch is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Christchurch travel costs.

Koyasan and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Christchurch?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Christchurch than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Christchurch is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Koyasan is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. Koyasan is more touristy than Christchurch and is known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Christchurch is well known for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. Also, Christchurch is famous for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

How is Koyasan different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Christchurch 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 Christchurch?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Koyasan and Christchurch.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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).

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

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

Christchurch 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 Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

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 Koyasan or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Christchurch know how to have a good time. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

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 Christchurch Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Christchurch for it's beautiful beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Christchurch Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is well known for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Koyasan. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. 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 the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Christchurch?

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

Christchurch is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Christchurch More Beautiful?

Koyasan and Christchurch are somewhat similar when it comes to the notable scenery.

Koyasan is a beautiful place to visit, too. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Is Koyasan or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Christchurch is very family-friendly. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. 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 Koyasan or Christchurch Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Christchurch both superb destinations for 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.

Christchurch is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Is Koyasan or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Koyasan or Christchurch Better for Students?

Christchurch is a great destination for students. However, Koyasan is not popular with students.

Many students visit Christchurch. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Koyasan is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Koyasan and Christchurch.

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.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Koyasan or Christchurch a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Christchurch both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Christchurch is a very walkable destination. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Christchurch?

It's fun to spend time in either Koyasan or Christchurch. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

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

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

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

One day in Koyasan or Christchurch?

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Christchurch, 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 Christchurch?

Koyasan is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Christchurch, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Christchurch has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Christchurch?

Koyasan is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Christchurch 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 Christchurch?

Koyasan is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Christchurch. 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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koyasan and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Christchurch?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch 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 Christchurch in the Summer?

Both Christchurch and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Koyasan is much warmer than Christchurch in the summer. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during summer. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In July, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Christchurchin January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koyasan or Christchurch in the Autumn?

Both Christchurch and Koyasan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Koyasan is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koyasan in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in April.

In the autumn, Koyasan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Christchurchin April. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets more rain in October than Christchurchin April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Christchurch in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Christchurch. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Koyasan is generally around the same temperature as Christchurchin July. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 6°C (42°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Koyasan usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during winter. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Christchurchin July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koyasan or Christchurch in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Christchurch. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Koyasan is a little warmer than Christchurch in the spring. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. In the spring, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin October. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koyasan usually gets more rain in April than Christchurchin October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Koyasan