A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kanazawa vs. Atami for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kanazawa or Atami?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Atami can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Atami

Atami is a overlooked, nostalgic, and authentic town. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kanazawa and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Atami?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Kanazawa and Atami are popular destinations, Kanazawa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kanazawa is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Atami attracts visitors for its beaches. Kanazawa is more touristy than Atami and is known for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also well known for Kenroku-en Garden. Atami is famous for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Kanazawa different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atami and Kanazawa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kanazawa or Atami?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kanazawa. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Kanazawa or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kanazawa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Kanazawa and Atami.

If you're looking for night time activities Kanazawa has a few options to choose from. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for Beaches?

Atami is very good for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Atami to enjoy the beach. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its old town. However, Atami does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kanazawa. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Atami does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Atami?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Kanazawa is well-known for its shopping. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Kanazawa or Atami.

Kanazawa offers lots of family activities. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Atami is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Atami are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Kanazawa is a nice destination for couples. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Atami makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Atami are nice places to visit.

Kanazawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

It's common for backpackers to visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Atami is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Atami is not popular with students.

Is Kanazawa or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kanazawa and Atami both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Kanazawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Kanazawa or Atami a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Kanazawa is a very walkable city. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

Atami is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Atami?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanazawa than Atami 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 Kanazawa.

One day in Kanazawa or Atami?

In Kanazawa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this well-preserved destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The town of Atami offers food and shopping. 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 Kanazawa or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanazawa. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Atami 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atami, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Atami?

Kanazawa is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kanazawa. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Atami 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 Kanazawa or Atami?

You'll find food and shopping around the well-preserved destination of Kanazawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Atami is a great place to explore. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Atami?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Atami, 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 Kanazawa or Atami?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Atami in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Atami. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atami in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Atami averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Kanazawa usually receives more sunshine than Atami during summer. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Atami. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Atami. Many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Atami for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Kanazawa is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Kanazawa often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Atami. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Atami in the Winter?

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

Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Kanazawa is much colder than Atami in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Atami during winter. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Atami. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Kanazawa during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In the spring, Kanazawa is cooler than Atami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Atami averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Kanazawa often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atami and Kanazawa