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

Should you visit Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a memorable, meaningful, and park-filled city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Hiroshima travel costs.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Canberra travel costs.

Hiroshima and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hiroshima or Canberra?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Canberra than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Canberra, Canberra has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Canberra is very popular for its hiking and big city activities, while Hiroshima attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and shopping. Hiroshima is more touristy than Canberra and is known for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also well known for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Hiroshima different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Hiroshima are world-renowned. 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.

Many visitors head to Canberra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Hiroshima and Canberra 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 Canberra. 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.

Is Hiroshima or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Canberra. 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 Hiroshima or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a city with good options for hiking. However, Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hiroshima or Canberra?

Hiroshima is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Hiroshima is well-known for its shopping. 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.

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 Hiroshima or Canberra Better for Families?

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

Canberra is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

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 Canberra Better for Couples?

Both Hiroshima and Canberra are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hiroshima is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Hiroshima or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

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 Hiroshima or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is not popular with students.

Is Hiroshima or Canberra 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, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Hiroshima has some very good public transit options. 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 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 Hiroshima or Canberra a more walkable city?

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

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

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Hiroshima Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Hiroshima?

How long in Hiroshima or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hiroshima and Canberra. In our opinion, Hiroshima has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hiroshima than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Hiroshima or Canberra?

The city of Hiroshima offers food and shopping. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Canberra. 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.

A weekend in Hiroshima or Canberra?

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Canberra. 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.

Five days in Hiroshima or Canberra?

Hiroshima is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Canberra. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Hiroshima or Canberra?

Hiroshima is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums 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.

Canberra 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hiroshima or Canberra?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Hiroshima or Canberra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hiroshima and Canberra. Many travelers come to Hiroshima for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hiroshima is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hiroshima in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Canberra averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hiroshima usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Hiroshima gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hiroshima as well as Canberra. Many visitors come to Hiroshima in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Hiroshima is generally around the same temperature as Canberrain April. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 17°C (63°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Canberra. Hiroshima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hiroshima usually gets less rain in October than Canberrain April. Hiroshima gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Hiroshima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hiroshima for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hiroshima can be very cold during winter. Hiroshima is much colder than Canberra in the winter. The daily temperature in Hiroshima averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in July.

In January, Hiroshima usually receives more rain than Canberrain July. Hiroshima gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Hiroshima during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

In the spring, Hiroshima is cooler than Canberra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hiroshima in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Canberra averages at about 15°C (60°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. Hiroshima usually gets more rain in April than Canberrain October. Hiroshima gets 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Hiroshima