A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Canberra for Attractions, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Atami or Canberra?

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 Canberra 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. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Atami and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Canberra?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Canberra than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Canberra is better known for its museums, food, hiking, and big city activities, while Atami is more popular for its beaches. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. Also, Canberra is famous for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Atami different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Canberra is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami 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 Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. 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.

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

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

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

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 Canberra Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Atami and Canberra.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. 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.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Atami or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Atami is a popular place for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Atami is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Atami or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Canberra?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Atami and Canberra.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atami. 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.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Atami or Canberra Better for Families?

Canberra is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Atami or Canberra Better for Couples?

Both Atami and Canberra are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

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

Canberra is a good town for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Atami or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Atami or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Atami is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Atami is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Atami and Canberra.

Atami has some 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.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Atami or Canberra a more walkable city?

Atami and Canberra are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Canberra is a somewhat walkable town. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Atami?

How long in Atami or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atami and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Canberra than in Atami. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.

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

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

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

One day in Atami or Canberra?

The town of Atami offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Canberra, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. This city 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 Canberra?

Atami 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atami, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Canberra?

Atami 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.

Canberra is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Canberra. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Canberra?

Atami is a great place to explore. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated destination of Canberra. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Canberra, we can see that Canberra 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 Canberra 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Atami or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Canberra, 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 Canberra?

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

Both Canberra and Atami are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Atami is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Atami. In July, Atami usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atami or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra and Atami during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Atami in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Atami is around the same temperature as Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atami in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.

Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. Atami usually gets more rain in October than Canberrain April. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atami or Canberra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Atami and Canberra. Most visitors come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Atami is generally much colder than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 5°C (42°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In January, Atami usually receives more rain than Canberrain July. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atami or Canberra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Atami as well as Canberra. The spring months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

Atami is around the same temperature as Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the spring. Atami usually gets more rain in April than Canberrain October. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Atami