A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cebu vs. Kanazawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cebu or Kanazawa?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Kanazawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cebu or Kanazawa?

Cebu

Cebu Island is an important island in the Visayas region of the Philippines, characterized by its main port at Cebu City as well as many natural features. The most-visited areas include islands of Mactan, Bantayan, Badian, Malapascua and Camotes, all which have resorts and hotels. Scuba diving and snorkeling are common activities along the shoreline, while hiking the mountainous spine of the island is popular inland.

Kanazawa

An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Cebu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $80, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cebu and Kanazawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cebu $25
    Kanazawa $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cebu $50
    Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Kanazawa

Looking for a hotel in Cebu or Kanazawa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cebu


Hotels in Kanazawa


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cebu Hotel Prices and Kanazawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cebu $26
    Kanazawa $9.66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:

  • Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu: $208
  • Oslob Whale Shark Encounter & SUMILON with Transfers: $201
  • Mactan-Cebu Island Hopping Cruise with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $196
  • Bohol Day Tour from Cebu (Shared) w/ RT Transfers & Ferry: $185
  • Oslob Private Van Transfer between Cebu, Mactan or Mandaue City: $175
  • Danasan Eco Adventure Park Including Round-Trip Hotel Transfer: $161
  • Kawasan Falls Canyoneering w/ Lunch & Transfers from Cebu City: $122
  • Cebu Safari & Adventure Park: Wildlife Tour with Transfers: $104
  • One-way Airport Transfer to Cebu City Hotels: $91
  • Canyoneering Cebu in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer option: $53
  • Cebu Airport Transfer to / from Anywhere in Cebu: $37
  • Private Airport to Hotel Transfer in Cebu City: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Kanazawa?

Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Cebu change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cebu $36
    Kanazawa $58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.

  • Carbon Market Food Tour & Bars with Jeepney Ride: $16
  • Highlands Guided Tour with STREET FOOD TOUR OPTION: $46
  • The Ultimate Cebu Food Tour: Local Tastes & Cultural Journey: $70
  • Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $91
  • Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $100
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking Class: $110
  • Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking: $110
  • Cebu Vegetarian Cooking Class: $110
  • Cebu Traditional Cuisine Cooking Class: $110
  • 5-Hour Evening Tour from Cebu with Dinner: $110

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa

For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
  • traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
  • Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $422

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cebu $17
    Kanazawa $10

Tours and Activities in Cebu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:

  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour | Joiners: $64
  • Cebu Steet food, historical and mountain tour: $110
  • 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
  • Aqua Sports Adventure Package with 3 Water Activities: $129
  • BEST OF Cebu City Heritage with Uphill Tour: $62
  • BEST OF Guided Heritage City Joiners Tour: $45
  • Badian Canyoneering Adventure and Kawasan Waterfalls Private Tour: $149
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $103
  • Badian Cebu Canyoneering Experience: $146
  • Balamban Uphill Adventure Tour in Cebu: $100
  • Best Seller Cebu City Group Tour: $54
  • Bohol Countryside Day Tour From Cebu City | Lunch at Loboc River Cruise: $145

Tours and Activities in Kanazawa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.

  • Rental Kimono Selfie Photo Experience: $21
  • Ring making experience  Completed in about 1 hour! : $23
  • Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $23
  • Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
  • Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
  • Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
  • Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
  • Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
  • 2-Hour Private Tour of Omicho Market with Tastings: $54
  • Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $54
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $55
  • Market Tastings and Castle Town Adventure in Kanazawa: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cebu $14
    Kanazawa $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:

  • Makati Pub Crawl with Optional City Tour: $18
  • Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $110

Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:

  • Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Cebu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cebu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cebu 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 Cebu.

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


Which is Bigger, Cebu or Kanazawa?

Cebu has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Cebu 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 Cebu or Kanazawa?

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

Should I visit Cebu or Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Kanazawa. Cebu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.

Cebu is around the same temperature as Kanazawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Cebu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cebu usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Cebu is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cebu in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In October, Cebu usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cebu 28°C (82°F) 
    Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Kanazawa in the Winter?

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

Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. In January, Cebu is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cebu usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cebu 27°C (81°F) 
    Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Cebu or Kanazawa in the Spring?

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

Cebu is much warmer than Kanazawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cebu usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cebu 29°C (84°F) 
    Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Cebu

Cebu Kanazawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 294 mm (11.6 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 6°C (43°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 251 mm (9.9 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 248 mm (9.8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 306 mm (12 in)