A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hoi An vs. Kamakura for Food, Old Town, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Hoi An or Kamakura?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Kamakura. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a peaceful, beautiful, and traditional town. Hoi An is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Hoi An travel costs.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a quaint, charming, and laid back coastal city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Kamakura travel costs.

Hoi An and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Kamakura?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hoi An. Although Hoi An and Kamakura are both popular with visitors, Hoi An has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hoi An is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kamakura is known for its nightlife and hiking. Hoi An is more touristy than Kamakura and is popular for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. It is also home to the Fukian Assembly Hall. Kamakura is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches.

How is Hoi An different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hoi An or Kamakura?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Hoi An or Kamakura.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Hoi An. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.

Kamakura offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Is the Food Better in Hoi An or Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Hoi An is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

Kamakura has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

Hoi An is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's definitely not your typical backpacker party town, and the city is quietly beautiful in the evening. Many of the bars in the old town close before midnight, but there are some places outside of the area if you're looking for something more lively.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Hoi An and Kamakura both offer good beaches.

Hoi An offers a nice beach destination. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.

Kamakura is a good option for a beach vacation. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Hoi An offers plenty to see. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Hoi An is not a hiking destination.

Kamakura offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Hoi An is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Kamakura?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Hoi An is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura More Beautiful?

Hoi An is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hoi An is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city is beautiful during the day with its traditional architecture, as well as at night when it is lit with lanterns.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for Families?

Hoi An is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hoi An is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will appreciate the thrill of a visit to Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with roller coasters, zip lines, and more. Near the city you'll also find ancient ruins, outdoor activities, hands-on classes, and, of course, the impressive old town.

Kamakura is a family-friendly town. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Hoi An and Kamakura both superb destinations for a couple.

Hoi An makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This charming city has a lot of character and some of Vietnam's best restaurants. The city is also known for its tailor made clothes, so make sure you do some shopping while you're in town.

Couples visit Kamakura frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hoi An is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Hoi An and Kamakura.

Hoi An has some public transit options. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

You'll find some public transit in Kamakura, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Hoi An or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Hoi An on foot. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time to explore on foot.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? and Is Kamakura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Kamakura?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hoi An than Kamakura 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 Hoi An.

One day in Hoi An or Kamakura?

The beautiful town of Hoi An offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kamakura. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Hoi An or Kamakura?

Hoi An is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hoi An, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamakura is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Hoi An or Kamakura?

Hoi An is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamakura. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hoi An or Kamakura?

Hoi An is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ancient destination of Kamakura. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Kamakura, 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 Hoi An or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Hoi An or Kamakura in the Summer?

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

Hoi An is a little warmer than Kamakura in the summer. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hoi An this time of the year. In the summer, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Kamakura. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season.

Should I visit Hoi An or Kamakura in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Hoi An is a little warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hoi An in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Kamakura averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hoi An or Kamakura in the Winter?

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

In January, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 22°C (71°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Kamakura. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Kamakura. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year. February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An.

Should I visit Hoi An or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches.

Hoi An is much warmer than Kamakura in the spring. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Hoi An