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

Should you visit Kamakura or Darwin?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Darwin? 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. See Kamakura travel costs.

Darwin

Darwin is a tropical, multicultural, and authentic town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Darwin travel costs.

Kamakura and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Darwin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kamakura than Darwin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kamakura is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and historical sights, while Darwin attracts visitors for its hiking. Kamakura is more touristy than Darwin and is known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Kamakura different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kamakura is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kamakura can be an interesting and educational experience. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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

Kamakura is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin 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.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Kamakura or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Kamakura has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Kamakura or Darwin Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Kamakura and Darwin are nice choices.

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.

Many people head to Darwin to enjoy the beach. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Kamakura or Darwin Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Darwin 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.

Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its hiking trails.

Darwin is a popular spot for hiking. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kamakura. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Darwin?

Both Kamakura and Darwin are nice shopping destinations.

Kamakura is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Darwin. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Kamakura or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin 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.

Darwin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

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 Darwin Better for Couples?

Kamakura is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

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.

Darwin is a good coastal city for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Kamakura or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kamakura and Darwin are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kamakura. 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.

Darwin is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

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

Both Kamakura and Darwin offer nice 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.

Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Kamakura or Darwin a more walkable city?

Kamakura and Darwin 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.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable place. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Darwin?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Kamakura than Darwin. 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 Kamakura than Darwin 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 Kamakura.

One day in Kamakura or Darwin?

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

The town of Darwin offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Darwin?

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.

Darwin 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Darwin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Darwin?

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.

Darwin 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 Darwin?

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.

Darwin is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

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 comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Darwin, we can see that Darwin 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 Kamakura is in Asia and Darwin 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 Kamakura Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Darwin?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Darwin, 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 Darwin?

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

Both Darwin and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kamakura is cooler than Darwin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (83°F)in January.

Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during summer. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In July, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kamakura or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Kamakura during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Kamakura is generally much colder than Darwinin April. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Darwin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Darwin. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kamakura is much colder than Darwin in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kamakura or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Darwin. The spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In the spring, Kamakura is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (85°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. In the spring, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura usually gets more rain in April than Darwinin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Kamakura