A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanazawa vs. Brisbane for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kanazawa or Brisbane?

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 Brisbane can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a well-preserved, historic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a diverse, cultural, and active coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Kanazawa and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Brisbane?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brisbane than Kanazawa. Brisbane is bigger than Kanazawa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brisbane is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Kanazawa is more popular for its food and historical sights. Kanazawa is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Also, Brisbane is famous for the Cultural Centre.

How is Kanazawa different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Kanazawa or Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Brisbane can be an interesting and educational experience. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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

Kanazawa is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kanazawa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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).

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is great for nightlife. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is great for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Brisbane is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Kanazawa has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is very good for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Brisbane. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Brisbane?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kanazawa and Brisbane both offer plenty of very good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kanazawa. 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.

Brisbane is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Families?

Brisbane is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Brisbane is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Kanazawa is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Brisbane are notable 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.

Brisbane makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Brisbane is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Kanazawa is a good city to visit for students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

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

Kanazawa and Brisbane both offer notable 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.

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Kanazawa or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Kanazawa and Brisbane are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Brisbane is a very walkable city. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Brisbane?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kanazawa or Brisbane?

The city of Kanazawa 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.

The coastal city of Brisbane offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Kanazawa or Brisbane?

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

Brisbane is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city 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 Brisbane, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Brisbane?

Kanazawa 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.

Brisbane 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 Brisbane?

Kanazawa 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 city offers something for everyone.

Brisbane is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Brisbane?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Brisbane, 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 Brisbane?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Kanazawa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kanazawa or Brisbane in the Summer?

Both Brisbane and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

In July, Kanazawa is generally around the same temperature as Brisbanein January. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 26°C (78°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Brisbanein January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Brisbane in the Autumn?

Both Brisbane and Kanazawa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Kanazawa is cooler than Brisbane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein April. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Brisbanein April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Brisbane in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Brisbane. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kanazawa. In the winter, Kanazawa is much colder than Brisbane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kanazawa in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Brisbane averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Brisbanein July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Brisbane in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Brisbane. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Kanazawa is generally much colder than Brisbanein October. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 12°C (54°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the spring, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein October. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Brisbanein October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Kanazawa