A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kamakura vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Kamakura or Rotorua?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Rotorua? 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 quaint, charming, and laid back coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a diverse, cultural, and natural town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kamakura and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Rotorua?

You'll generally find more things to do in Kamakura than Rotorua. Kamakura is bigger than Rotorua, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Kamakura is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Rotorua 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. Rotorua is well known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Kamakura different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Kamakura and Rotorua have excellent 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 Rotorua specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Kamakura or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Kamakura has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Kamakura or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for the beach. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Kamakura or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

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 Rotorua?

Both Kamakura and Rotorua 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 Rotorua. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Kamakura or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an unbeatable 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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Rotorua is a very family-friendly destination. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its romantic activities.

Rotorua makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Kamakura makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Kamakura or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rotorua is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Both Kamakura and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has some public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Kamakura or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Kamakura and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Rotorua?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Rotorua than Kamakura. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rotorua that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Kamakura or Rotorua?

In Kamakura, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 town of Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

In Kamakura, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Rotorua?

Kamakura is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamakura. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua 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 Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Rotorua, 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. Even though Kamakura is in Asia and Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Rotorua?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

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

Both Rotorua and Kamakura during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kamakura is generally much warmer than Rotoruain January. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 25°C (77°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Rotorua. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kamakura is a little warmer than Rotorua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Rotorua. The winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In the winter, Kamakura is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamakura in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Rotorua averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

Kamakura usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.

In April, Kamakura is generally cooler than Rotoruain October. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 14°C (58°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Kamakura