A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kamakura vs. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for Hiking, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park? 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a iconic, world renowned, and majestic national park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for hiking and museums.

Kamakura and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kamakura than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kamakura is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Kamakura is well known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Also, Kamakura is famous for the Great Buddha. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is well known for its iconic peak, pristine lakes, rugged coastline, and timeless forests.

How is Kamakura different from Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Both Kamakura and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park have high quality 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Due to its spiritual nature, there have been many shrines built at the base of Mount Fuji. You can visit the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, which is one of the most significant. Hakone also has many art museums as well as the fascinating Hakone Open-Air Museum.

Is the Food Better in Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not known 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. If you're planning to climb Mount Fuji, you'll want to make reservations for meals at the mountain huts. Dinner is typically a curry rice and a take away breakfast is usually available that has simple ingredients.

Is Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its evening party scene. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Kamakura has something for everybody. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a popular place for the beach. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a beach destination.

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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Hiking?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is an unbeatable 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.

People visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are hikes within each of the sections of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, but the most famous section is the area around the iconic Mount Fuji. The climbing season is between July and mid September and there are four main trails that lead to the summit. You can take a bus to the Fifth Station and pick up any of the trails at that point. There are also mountain huts where you may take a rest or spend the night. In the Hakone area, you'll find hot springs and several popular trails such as the Hakone Ropeway and the Mount Kamiyama and Mount Komagatake Trail. The Izu Peninsula is known for its dramatic coastline, rugged cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls. Finally, the Izu Islands are a string of islands that can be reached by ferry.

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Kamakura is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kamakura has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Families?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. As Japan's most visited national park, you'll find many trails and activities for families. There are a number of kid-friendly hiking trails, as well as nature courses and educational programs.

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park make for a high quality 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The park is an iconic setting, and couples who enjoy nature will appreciate the forested setting with its waterfalls, lava caves, and stunning natural beauty. The park has beautiful sweeping views that will take your breath away.

Is Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Because it's a popular tourist destination, transportation to and from the park is relatively easy. There are also a number of amenities and resources available that will help backpackers enjoy their trip.

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Kamakura and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park has some public transit options. There are train and bus systems within the park that connect the different sections. In the Mount Fuji area, buses leave from the Kawaguchiko and Fujisan Stations. Transportation may take longer than you expect, so it's best to plan accordingly.

Is Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park a more walkable city?

Kamakura and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a somewhat walkable place. There are countless hiking trails throughout the park that give you access to the region's natural beauty.

For even more information, also check out Is Kamakura Worth Visiting? and Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamakura, and 2-4 days is enough time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

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

Couples should spend more time in Kamakura than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 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.

One day in Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

The charming destination of Kamakura offers shopping and museums. This coastal city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful national park of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers museums. 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamakura. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Kamakura is a fun place to experience. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking 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.

A week in Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the ancient coastal city of Kamakura. It offers something for everyone. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 national park 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 Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamakura and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kamakura Expensive? and Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The summer months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park this time of year.

In July, Kamakura is generally around the same temperature as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 25°C (77°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets less rain in July than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Autumn?

Both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Kamakura is around the same temperature as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Winter?

Both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kamakura is a little warmer than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamakura in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Kamakura usually gets less rain in January than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Kamakura is generally around the same temperature as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 14°C (58°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Kamakura