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

Should you visit Kamakura or Byron Bay?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Byron Bay? 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 ancient, quaint, and charming coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a mellow, vegan-friendly, and carefree town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Kamakura and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Byron Bay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura. Although Kamakura and Byron Bay are popular destinations, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its museums, food, and historical sights, while Byron Bay attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Byron Bay is famous for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals.

How is Kamakura different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay?

Kamakura is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

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

Kamakura is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kamakura. 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.

Byron Bay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

Is Kamakura or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

Both Kamakura and Byron Bay are excellent 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.

Byron Bay has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

Is Kamakura or Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Byron Bay is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Is Kamakura or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Byron Bay is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beache.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Byron Bay. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's 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 Byron Bay Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its old town. However, Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kamakura to see the old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Kamakura and Byron Bay both have nice 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 Byron Bay. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay 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.

Byron Bay is an extremely popular place for shoppers. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

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 Byron Bay Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kamakura or Byron Bay.

Kamakura is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Byron Bay is a family-friendly coastal city. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Kamakura or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Byron Bay make for a excellent place to visit.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Byron Bay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Is Kamakura or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

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 Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its public transit. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Kamakura or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Kamakura and Byron Bay both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Kamakura Worth Visiting? and Is Byron Bay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Byron Bay?

Both Kamakura and Byron Bay have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Byron Bay than in Kamakura. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamakura, and 3-7 days is enough time in Byron Bay.

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

Couples should spend more time in Kamakura than Byron Bay. 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay.

One day in Kamakura or Byron Bay?

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Kamakura. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful town of Byron Bay offers nightlife and food. 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 Byron Bay?

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

Byron Bay is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Byron Bay?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint coastal city of Kamakura. 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.

Byron Bay is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Byron Bay, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kamakura or Byron Bay?

Kamakura 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.

Byron Bay is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Byron Bay has to offer. This town 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamakura and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Byron Bay?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Byron Bay, 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 Byron Bay?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay in the Summer?

Both Byron Bay and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In July, Kamakura usually receives around the same amount of rain as Byron Bayin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kamakura or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Kamakura during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kamakura is generally cooler than Byron Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).

Byron Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in October than Byron Bayin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Byron Bay in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Byron Bay. The winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

Kamakura is much colder than Byron Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in July.

In January, Kamakura usually receives around the same amount of rain as Byron Bayin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kamakura or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Byron Bay. The beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kamakura is cooler than Byron Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 19°C (67°F)in October.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura usually gets more rain in April than Byron Bayin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Kamakura