Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Kamakura?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kamakura or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kamakura or Harbin? 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.
Where Should I go: Kamakura or Harbin?
Kamakura
An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKamakura $104Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Kamakura is $104, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kamakura and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKamakura $75Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKamakura $150Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Kamakura and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Kamakura or Harbin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kamakura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kamakura $15Harbin $1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Kamakura or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Kamakura change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKamakura $20Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kamakura $5.59Harbin $52
Tours and Activities in Kamakura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:
- 3 Hour Japanese Culture Tour in Kamakura Temples: $110
- 3-Hours Walking Tour in Kamakura: $94
- Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.32
- Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo: $249
- From Tokyo: Kamakura Private Customize Tour by Luxury Van: $455
- From Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour: $57
- Full Day Kamakura Private Tour With English Speaking Driver: $505
- Full Day Private Discovering Tour in Kamakura: $153
- Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $39
- Homemade Sushi and Supermarket Tour in Kamakura: $57
- Kamakura : Full Day with local guide. (Tickets included!): $113
- Kamakura Bamboo Forest and Great Buddha Private Tour: $174
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKamakura $13Harbin $7.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamakura and Harbin, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kamakura Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Harbin, 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 Harbin?
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 Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Kamakura during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.
In the summer, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Harbin. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKamakura 25°C (77°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Kamakura or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Harbin. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Kamakura is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Harbin. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKamakura 18°C (64°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Kamakura or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Harbin. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. Kamakura is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Kamakura usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKamakura 6°C (43°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Kamakura or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Kamakura is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Harbin. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKamakura 14°C (58°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Kamakura
| Kamakura | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 177 mm (7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (48°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.