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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

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 Byron Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a vegan-friendly, carefree, and Bohemian town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Kanazawa and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Byron Bay. Although Kanazawa and Byron Bay are popular destinations, Byron Bay has more sights and attractions for tourists. Byron Bay is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its museums, food, and historical sights. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Byron Bay is famous for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. It is also well known for Cape Byron Lighthouse.

How is Kanazawa different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

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

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kanazawa. 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).

Byron Bay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Byron Bay for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

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 Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is great for its luxury resorts. However, Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Byron Bay. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Byron Bay is very popular for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Byron Bay is a very popular vacation destination. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Kanazawa to see the old town. 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.

Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

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

Many people include a hike when visiting Byron Bay. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kanazawa and Byron Bay both offer plenty of superb 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.

Byron Bay is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay Better for Families?

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

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.

Byron Bay is a family-friendly place to visit. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Byron Bay is great for romance. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Byron Bay is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Byron Bay is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

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 Byron Bay Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for students. However, Byron Bay is not popular with students.

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.

Byron Bay is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Kanazawa has a few public transit options. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Kanazawa or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable city. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay.

One day in Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kanazawa. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kanazawa has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful town of Byron Bay offers nightlife and food. 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 Byron Bay?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the well-preserved destination of Kanazawa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Byron Bay is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Kanazawa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Byron Bay is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Byron Bay, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

Kanazawa is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Byron Bay is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Byron Bay has to offer. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanazawa and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Byron Bay?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Byron Bay, 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 Byron Bay?

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

Both Byron Bay and Kanazawa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

Byron Bay 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 July than Byron Bayin January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Byron Bay. Many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kanazawa is generally cooler than Byron Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).

Byron Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Byron Bay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Byron Bay. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Kanazawa is much colder than Byron Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in July.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Byron Bay in the Spring?

Both Byron Bay and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

In the spring, Kanazawa is much colder than Byron Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 19°C (67°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In April, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Kanazawa