A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kamakura vs. Hiroshima for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Kamakura or Hiroshima?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Hiroshima? 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. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a park-filled, memorable, and meaningful city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kamakura and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Hiroshima?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kamakura than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Kamakura, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and hiking, while Hiroshima is known for its museums and shopping. Kamakura is more touristy than Hiroshima and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also home to the Great Buddha. Hiroshima is popular for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Kamakura different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hiroshima is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Hiroshima that are not to be missed. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Many visitors head to Kamakura specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Hiroshima can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kamakura makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Hiroshima has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Is Kamakura or Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for nightlife. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

Is Kamakura or Hiroshima Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its beaches. However, Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kamakura. 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.

Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Is Kamakura or Hiroshima Better for its Old Town?

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

Kamakura is a good destination for visiting its old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Hiroshima Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for hiking. However, Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

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 Hiroshima Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kamakura or Hiroshima.

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.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly coastal city. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Kamakura or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Kamakura or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kamakura and Hiroshima are good 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.

Hiroshima is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

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

Hiroshima is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Hiroshima. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

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

Is Kamakura or Hiroshima a more walkable city?

Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is very walkable. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

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 Hiroshima Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Hiroshima?

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

Couples should spend more time in Kamakura than Hiroshima. 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 Hiroshima?

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 city of Hiroshima offers food and shopping. 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 Hiroshima?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint 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.

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

Five days in Kamakura or Hiroshima?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ancient 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.

Hiroshima is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Hiroshima?

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.

Hiroshima is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This 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 Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Hiroshima, we can see that Kamakura 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Hiroshima, 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 Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Hiroshima. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Hiroshima for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kamakura is around the same temperature as Hiroshima in the summer. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the summer, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Hiroshima. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets less rain in July than Hiroshima. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

Both Hiroshima and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hiroshima because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Hiroshima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kamakura in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Hiroshima during autumn. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Hiroshima. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Hiroshima in the Winter?

Both Hiroshima and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Hiroshima this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hiroshima in the winter. In January, Kamakura is generally a little warmer than Hiroshima. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 6°C (43°F), and Hiroshima fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Kamakura often gets more sunshine than Hiroshima. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 153 hours of full sun.

Kamakura usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hiroshima. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Hiroshima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Hiroshima. The beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

Kamakura is around the same temperature as Hiroshima in the spring. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Hiroshima during spring. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the spring.

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Kamakura