A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kamakura vs. Brisbane for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Kamakura or Brisbane?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Brisbane? 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.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a cultural, active, and relaxed coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Kamakura and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Brisbane?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brisbane than Kamakura. Brisbane is bigger than Kamakura, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brisbane is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Kamakura is more popular for its food and historical sights. Kamakura is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Also, Brisbane is famous for the Cultural Centre.

How is Kamakura different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kamakura or Brisbane?

Both Kamakura and Brisbane have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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

Kamakura is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kamakura has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Both Kamakura and Brisbane are great when it comes to partying.

Kamakura offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Brisbane has a large number of nightlife venues. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Is Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Brisbane has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beache.

Brisbane is considered a top beach destination. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Many people head to Kamakura to enjoy the beach. 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 Kamakura or Brisbane Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura has an old town worth visiting. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Kamakura and Brisbane both have notable trails.

Kamakura is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Brisbane. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Brisbane?

Brisbane is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Brisbane is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

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 Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Families?

Brisbane 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.

Brisbane is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Kamakura is a family-friendly coastal city. 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 Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Kamakura is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Kamakura is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

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 Kamakura or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is a well-known place for students. However, Kamakura is not popular with students.

Brisbane is a very popular coastal city for students and younger travelers. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Kamakura is not popular with students.

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

Both Kamakura and Brisbane offer notable public transit options.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Brisbane has some public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Kamakura or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Brisbane is a well-known 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.

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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 Kamakura Worth Visiting? and Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Brisbane?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kamakura and Brisbane. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Brisbane than in Kamakura. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamakura, and 2-3 days is enough time in Brisbane.

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

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

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

One day in Kamakura or Brisbane?

The coastal city of Kamakura 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.

The coastal city of Brisbane offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A weekend in Kamakura or Brisbane?

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

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

Five days in Kamakura or Brisbane?

Kamakura 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.

Brisbane 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.

A week in Kamakura or Brisbane?

Kamakura is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

Brisbane is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Brisbane?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Brisbane, 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 Kamakura or Brisbane?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Kamakura has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kamakura or Brisbane in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Brisbane. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kamakura is generally around the same temperature as Brisbanein January. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 25°C (77°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the summer, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein January. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets less rain in July than Brisbanein January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Brisbane in the Autumn?

Both Brisbane and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Kamakura is cooler than Brisbane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during autumn. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Brisbanein April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Brisbane in the Winter?

Both Brisbane and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Kamakura is much colder than Brisbane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamakura in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Brisbane averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein July. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun.

Kamakura usually gets less rain in January than Brisbanein July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Brisbane in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Brisbane. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Kamakura is generally cooler than Brisbanein October. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 14°C (58°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during spring. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Brisbanein October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Kamakura