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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Canberra?

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 Canberra 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.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kanazawa and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Canberra?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Canberra than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Canberra, Canberra has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Canberra is very popular for its hiking and big city activities, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its historical sights and shopping. Kanazawa is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also well known for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Kanazawa different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Kanazawa or Canberra.

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 Canberra can be an interesting and educational experience. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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

Both Kanazawa and Canberra offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Canberra. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Is Kanazawa or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Canberra. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Kanazawa or Canberra Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its old town. However, Canberra 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.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Canberra Better for Hiking?

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

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Canberra?

Kanazawa is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra 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 Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Kanazawa or Canberra Better for Families?

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

Canberra is a very family-friendly destination. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

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 Canberra Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Canberra 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.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Kanazawa or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanazawa is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Kanazawa or Canberra Better for Students?

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

Canberra is very popular with students. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

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

Kanazawa and Canberra 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.

Canberra has a few public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Kanazawa or Canberra a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra 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.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Canberra?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Kanazawa than Canberra. 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 Canberra 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 Canberra?

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 city of Canberra offers food and shopping. 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 Canberra?

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.

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

Five days in Kanazawa or Canberra?

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.

Canberra 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 Canberra?

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.

Canberra 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Canberra?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Canberra, 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 Canberra?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Canberra. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Canberra averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Canberra. The autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

In October, Kanazawa is generally around the same temperature as Canberrain April. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Canberra. Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Canberrain April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Kanazawa in the winter. Kanazawa is much colder than Canberra in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Canberrain July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Kanazawa during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Kanazawa is cooler than Canberra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Canberra averages at about 15°C (60°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Canberrain October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Kanazawa