A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Kanazawa for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Kanazawa 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.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a festive, colorful, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a well-preserved, historic, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Hat Yai and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Hat Yai than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Hat Yai, Hat Yai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hat Yai is better known for its food and big city activities, while Kanazawa is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Kanazawa is more touristy than Hat Yai and is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Hat Yai is well known for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples. Also, Hat Yai is famous for Wat Hat Yai Nai.

How is Hat Yai different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kanazawa. 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.

Hat Yai is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

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

Hat Yai 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.

Hat Yai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

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 Hat Yai or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Hat Yai and Kanazawa.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hat Yai. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Is Hat Yai or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Hat Yai does not have a historic old town.

Kanazawa offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Hat Yai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

Both Hat Yai and Kanazawa are superb shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hat Yai. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Hat Yai or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Hat Yai is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some play places for the kids and kid-friendly meals are available in many places. There are also some animal farms and parks near town where kids and adults can enjoy a natural setting.

Is Hat Yai or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Kanazawa is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Hat Yai is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Most people pass through the city on their way to other places, but if you chose to linger you'll enjoy amazing food and some interesting activities around town.

Is Hat Yai or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kanazawa is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Hat Yai is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are hostels in the city, as well as cheap hotels, but the backpacker vibe isn't the same as what you get in other Thai cities. If you want more authenticity, then this is your place.

Is Hat Yai or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for students. However, Hat Yai 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.

Hat Yai is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Kanazawa has a few 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hat Yai. The easiest and cheapest way to get around is by tuk tuk or motorbike taxi.

Is Hat Yai or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its walkability.

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

Hat Yai is generally not a very walkable city. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hat Yai or Kanazawa to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hat Yai than Kanazawa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kanazawa.

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

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

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

One day in Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

The city of Hat Yai 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 Kanazawa, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

Hat Yai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hat Yai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

Hat Yai is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

Kanazawa is a great place to explore. 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 Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

Hat Yai is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanazawa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kanazawa. 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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, 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 Hat Yai and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Kanazawa?

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

Should I visit Hat Yai or Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Kanazawa. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Hat Yai is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hat Yai in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the summer, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

Both Kanazawa and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene.

In October, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Hat Yai gets 182 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. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Kanazawa in the Winter?

Both Kanazawa and Hat Yai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kanazawa in the winter. Hat Yai is much warmer than Kanazawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite sunny in Hat Yai. In the winter, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Hat Yai gets 221 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Kanazawa in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Hat Yai is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hat Yai in April average around 30°C (85°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during spring. Hat Yai gets 265 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, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Hat Yai