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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Katoomba?

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

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a historic, cultural, and well-preserved city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a natural, relaxing, and breathtaking town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kanazawa and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Katoomba?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Kanazawa and Katoomba are both popular with visitors, Kanazawa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kanazawa is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Katoomba is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kanazawa is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also home to Kenroku-en Garden. Katoomba is popular for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains.

How is Kanazawa different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kanazawa makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Kanazawa or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Kanazawa and Katoomba.

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 Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Kanazawa or Katoomba Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Katoomba does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Kanazawa to see the historical 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.

Katoomba does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is very popular for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Katoomba specifically for its hiking. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Katoomba?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Kanazawa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Kanazawa or Katoomba Better for Families?

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

Katoomba is one of the most popular family destinations. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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 Katoomba Better for Couples?

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

Katoomba is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

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 Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Katoomba is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

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 Katoomba Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a good destination for students. However, Katoomba 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.

Katoomba is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa and Katoomba both offer good 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.

Katoomba has a few public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Is Kanazawa or Katoomba a more walkable city?

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

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Kanazawa or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kanazawa, and 2-4 days is enough time in Katoomba.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanazawa than Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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 Katoomba?

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.

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

Five days in Kanazawa or Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Katoomba?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

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

Both Katoomba and Kanazawa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kanazawa in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Katoombain January. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.

Katoomba 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 Katoombain January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Katoomba in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Katoomba. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanazawa in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during autumn. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 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 Katoombain April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Katoomba in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Katoomba. The winter months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

The weather in Kanazawa can be very cold. In January, Kanazawa is generally much colder than Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 3°C (38°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In the winter, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Katoombain July. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in January than Katoombain July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Katoomba in the Spring?

Both Katoomba and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Kanazawa is cooler than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during spring. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In April, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Katoombain October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Kanazawa