A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanazawa vs. Mount Aspiring National Park for Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

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 Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is a remote, rugged, and breathtaking national park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Kanazawa and Mount Aspiring National Park : Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Kanazawa and Mount Aspiring National Park are popular destinations, Kanazawa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kanazawa is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Mount Aspiring National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Kanazawa is more touristy than Mount Aspiring National Park and is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also well known for Kenroku-en Garden. Mount Aspiring National Park is famous for its mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes.

How is Kanazawa different from Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Mount Aspiring National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park 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).

Mount Aspiring National Park has a small number of restaurants to choose from. Bring plenty of food supplies, because amenities are in short supply in many parts of the park.

Is Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Nightlife?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Hiking?

Mount Aspiring National Park is very popular for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Mount Aspiring National Park specifically for its hiking. There are many different types of trails in the park that range from shorter day hikes to multi-day hikes. The difficulty level doesn't always correspond to the length of the hike, so do your research before you set out. Some of the most known hikes in the area are the Blue Pools Track, the Rob Roy Track, the Routeburn Track, and the challenging Cascade Saddle Route.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Families?

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

Mount Aspiring National Park is a very family-friendly destination. The park offers a stunning natural setting that will inspire a child's love of nature. There are a number of kid-friendly hikes in the park with some of the most popular being the Blue Pools Track, Routeburn Nature Walk, the Roaring Billy Falls Walk, and the Thunder Creek Falls Walk.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Couples?

Mount Aspiring National Park is great for romance. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great national park if you're traveling as a couple. Filled with inspiring scenery and a breathtaking mountain setting, this park is perfect for couples who appreciate nature's beauty. There are hiking trails, waterfalls, and striking views that will spark the romance in any relationship.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mount Aspiring National Park is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Mount Aspiring National Park. Set in the beautiful Southern Alps, backpackers will love exploring the impressive mountain scenery and breathtaking views.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for students. However, Mount Aspiring National Park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not popular with students.

Is Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park. It's possible to arrange transportation to the trailheads from Te Anau or Wanaka.

Is Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Mount Aspiring National Park is not as famous, but is still a good national park 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a somewhat walkable city. There are day hikes as well as mult-day back country hikes through the park.

For even more information, also check out Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? and Is Mount Aspiring National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mount Aspiring National Park or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

In either Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Mount Aspiring National Park than Kanazawa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kanazawa, and 2-5 days is enough time in Mount Aspiring National Park .

Couples should spend more time in Kanazawa than Mount Aspiring National Park . 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 Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

The historic destination of Kanazawa offers shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful national park of Mount Aspiring National Park offers . 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanazawa. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kanazawa has to offer.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Kanazawa is a fun place to experience. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mount Aspiring National Park, 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 Mount Aspiring National Park ?

You'll find food and shopping around the well-preserved city of Kanazawa. It offers something for everyone. 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park 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 national park 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 Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Mount Aspiring National Park , we can see that Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park Expensive?.