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

Should you visit Kamakura or Picton?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Picton? 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Kamakura travel costs.

Picton

Picton is a scenic, quaint, and relaxing town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Picton travel costs.

Kamakura and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Picton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kamakura than Picton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kamakura is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Picton is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Kamakura is well known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Also, Kamakura is famous for the Great Buddha. Picton is well known for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Kamakura different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kamakura is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Picton 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.

Picton has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Kamakura or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Kamakura or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beach.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

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 Picton Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Picton does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura offers a nice historic old town area. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Picton does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton 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.

Picton is a popular spot for hiking. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

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 Picton?

Both Kamakura and Picton are notable 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 Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Kamakura or Picton Better for Families?

Picton 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.

Picton is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Picton make for a superb 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.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Kamakura or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton 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 Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

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

Both Kamakura and Picton 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.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Kamakura or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton 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.

Picton is very walkable. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore 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 Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kamakura or Picton to fill your time. In our opinion, Picton has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Picton than Kamakura. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Picton 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 Picton.

One day in Kamakura or Picton?

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 Picton offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kamakura or Picton?

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.

Picton 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Picton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Picton?

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.

Picton 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint 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.

Picton 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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamakura and Picton, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kamakura is in Asia and Picton 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 Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Picton.

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Picton?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Picton, 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 Picton?

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

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

In July, Kamakura is generally a little warmer than Pictonin January. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 25°C (77°F), and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In July, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kamakura or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Kamakura during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

Kamakura is a little warmer than Picton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in October than Pictonin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Picton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Picton. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kamakura is much colder than Picton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamakura in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Picton averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

Picton receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Pictonin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kamakura or Picton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Picton. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Kamakura is generally around the same temperature as Pictonin October. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 14°C (58°F), and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura usually gets more rain in April than Pictonin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Picton and Kamakura