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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Darwin?

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 Darwin 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.

Darwin

Darwin is a local, tropical, and multicultural town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kanazawa and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Darwin?

Both Darwin and Kanazawa have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Kanazawa is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Darwin attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Kanazawa is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Kanazawa different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kanazawa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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

Kanazawa is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin 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).

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Darwin to enjoy the beach. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Darwin 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.

Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Darwin for the hiking trails. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Darwin?

Kanazawa is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Kanazawa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin Better for Families?

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

Darwin is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

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 Darwin Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Darwin 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.

Darwin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Darwin 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 Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for students. However, Darwin 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.

Darwin is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa and Darwin 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.

Darwin has a few public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Kanazawa or Darwin a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Darwin 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.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable city. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Darwin?

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

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

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

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

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

Kanazawa 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.

Darwin 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Darwin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanazawa. 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.

Darwin 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 Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the well-preserved destination of Kanazawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Darwin is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Darwin, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kanazawa is in Asia and Darwin is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Darwin?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Darwin, 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 Darwin?

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

Both Darwin and Kanazawa during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is cooler than Darwin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (83°F)in January.

In the summer, Kanazawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Darwinin January. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

Darwin 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 July than Darwinin January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Darwin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Darwin. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Kanazawa is generally much colder than Darwinin April. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Darwin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Darwin. Many visitors come to Kanazawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kanazawa can get quite cold in the winter. Kanazawa is much colder than Darwin in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. In the winter, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Darwin in the Spring?

Both Darwin and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches.

In the spring, Kanazawa is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (85°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Darwin. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In April, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Kanazawa