A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanazawa vs. Lake Tekapo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo?

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 Lake Tekapo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a well-preserved, historic, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a basic, small, and remote 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.

Kanazawa and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kanazawa than Lake Tekapo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kanazawa is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Lake Tekapo is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kanazawa is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Also, Kanazawa is famous for Kenroku-en Garden. Lake Tekapo is well known for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Kanazawa different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kanazawa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Kanazawa is an experience not to be missed. 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).

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Kanazawa is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Kanazawa has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo Better for its Old Town?

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

Kanazawa offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Lake Tekapo does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Lake Tekapo is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lake Tekapo for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo?

Kanazawa is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

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

Lake Tekapo is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

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 Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Lake Tekapo 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.

Lake Tekapo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Lake Tekapo are notable 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 Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a good destination for students. However, Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

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

Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa is a good destination for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Kanazawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Lake Tekapo is somewhat walkable. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. In our opinion, Kanazawa has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kanazawa than Lake Tekapo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Kanazawa than Lake Tekapo. 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 Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the well-preserved city of Kanazawa. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The beautiful town of Lake Tekapo offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the well-preserved destination of Kanazawa. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

Five days in Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo?

The cultural city of Kanazawa offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kanazawa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Lake Tekapo 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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Lake Tekapo?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 1390 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Lake Tekapo, 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.