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

Should you visit Kamakura or Sydney?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Sydney? 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 charming, laid back, and ancient coastal city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Kamakura and Sydney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Sydney?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sydney than Kamakura. Sydney is bigger than Kamakura, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sydney is better known for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Kamakura is more popular for its historical sights. Kamakura is well known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Sydney is well known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Also, Sydney is famous for the Sydney Opera House.

How is Kamakura different from Sydney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sydney 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 Sydney that are not to be missed. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

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 Sydney? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Sydney 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.

Sydney has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Is Kamakura or Sydney Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Kamakura has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Kamakura or Sydney Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kamakura or Sydney Better for Beaches?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beache.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

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 Sydney Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney 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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Sydney Better for Hiking?

Sydney 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.

Sydney is a popular spot for hiking. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

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 Sydney?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Sydney is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

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 Sydney Better for Families?

Sydney 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, Sydney is a very family-friendly destination. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

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 Sydney Better for Couples?

Sydney 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.

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Sydney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney 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.

Sydney is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Sydney Better for Students?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for students. However, Kamakura is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Kamakura is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is an unbeatable 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.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

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 Sydney a more walkable city?

Sydney 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.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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 Sydney Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sydney or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Sydney?

Both Kamakura and Sydney have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Kamakura. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamakura, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sydney.

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

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

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

One day in Kamakura or Sydney?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kamakura. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Sydney is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Sydney?

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.

Sydney is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Sydney?

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.

Sydney is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sydney, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kamakura or Sydney?

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.

Sydney is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sydney has to offer. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamakura and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Kamakura much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kamakura is in Asia and Sydney 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 Kamakura would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kamakura 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Kamakura.

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Sydney, 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 Sydney?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Sydney. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kamakura is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin January. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 25°C (77°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during summer. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kamakura or Sydney in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Sydney. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Kamakura is around the same temperature as Sydney in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F)in April.

In the autumn, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin April. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kamakura usually gets more rain in October than Sydneyin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Sydney in the Winter?

Both Sydney and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kamakura is much colder than Sydney. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamakura in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Sydney averages at about 12°C (53°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during winter. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kamakura usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sydneyin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kamakura or Sydney in the Spring?

Both Sydney and Kamakura during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In April, Kamakura is generally cooler than Sydneyin October. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 14°C (58°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin October. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sydney and Kamakura