A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Kanazawa for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Kanazawa?

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 Bali and Kanazawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a tropical, lush, and frequented island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bali and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Kanazawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bali. Although Bali and Kanazawa are popular destinations, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Bali is more touristy than Kanazawa and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also well known for Pura Lempuyang. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens.

How is Bali different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Kanazawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kanazawa. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

Bali is very popular for nightlife. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Bali is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Resorts?

Bali is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Bali is a perfect choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is very popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali is not to be missed. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Beaches?

Bali is very popular for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Bali is a very popular vacation destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is very good for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kanazawa to see the old town. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Hiking?

Bali is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Kanazawa?

Both Bali and Kanazawa are very good shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kanazawa. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Bali is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Bali is a very family-friendly destination. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Kanazawa is a family-friendly place to visit. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

Bali is very popular for romance. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is very good for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Kanazawa is a good city to visit for students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Kanazawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bali and Kanazawa offer nice public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Kanazawa has some public transit options. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Is Bali or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Kanazawa is a very walkable city. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Bali?

How long in Bali or Kanazawa?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bali or Kanazawa to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bali than Kanazawa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kanazawa.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Kanazawa 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Kanazawa?

The beautiful island of Bali offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Kanazawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bali or Kanazawa?

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kanazawa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Kanazawa?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Kanazawa. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Kanazawa?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

The historic city of Kanazawa offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Kanazawa, 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 Bali or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Kanazawa. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.

In July, Bali is generally around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Bali usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

Both Kanazawa and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene.

Bali is much warmer than Kanazawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Kanazawa in the Winter?

Both Kanazawa and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kanazawa can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bali is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bali in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Kanazawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Kanazawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

In April, Bali is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bali usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Bali