A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hiroshima vs. Arrowtown for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hiroshima and Arrowtown 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.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a park-filled, memorable, and meaningful city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a quirky, historic, and charming town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Hiroshima and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Hiroshima and Arrowtown are both popular with visitors, Arrowtown has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arrowtown is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Hiroshima is known for its museums. Arrowtown is more touristy than Hiroshima and is known for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also home to the Chinese Settlement. Hiroshima is popular for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Hiroshima different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a great town for skiing. However, Hiroshima is not a skiing destination.

Arrowtown offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Hiroshima is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

Hiroshima is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Hiroshima from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Hiroshima or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Hiroshima and Arrowtown can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hiroshima. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Hiroshima and Arrowtown.

If you're looking for night time activities Hiroshima has a few options to choose from. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a great town for its historic old town. However, Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Around Arrowtown visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

If you're looking to go shopping, Hiroshima and Arrowtown both offer plenty of superb spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hiroshima. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Arrowtown is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for Families?

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

Arrowtown is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly place to visit. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Arrowtown is a great town for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Arrowtown is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arrowtown is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Arrowtown is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hiroshima is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Hiroshima is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Arrowtown, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Hiroshima or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Hiroshima is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Hiroshima is very walkable. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Hiroshima Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Hiroshima?

How long in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Hiroshima 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 Arrowtown.

One day in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Hiroshima. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Even though Arrowtown is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arrowtown has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the memorable destination of Hiroshima. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the meaningful city of Hiroshima. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arrowtown is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

Hiroshima is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arrowtown is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Hiroshima and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Hiroshima is in Asia and Arrowtown is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Hiroshima or Arrowtown?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Hiroshima and Arrowtown, 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.