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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Nelson?

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 Nelson 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.

Nelson

Nelson is a adventure-filled, natural, and beautiful city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kanazawa and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Nelson?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Nelson than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Nelson, Nelson has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nelson is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa is known for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Kanazawa is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Nelson is popular for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures. It is also home to Abel Tasman National Park.

How is Kanazawa different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Nelson offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

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

Both Kanazawa and Nelson offer superb 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 Nelson. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

Is Kanazawa or Nelson Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Nelson. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

Is Kanazawa or Nelson Better for Beaches?

Nelson is very popular for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Nelson is a very popular vacation destination. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Nelson Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Nelson 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.

Nelson does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Nelson Better for Hiking?

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

Many people visit Nelson specifically for its hiking. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Nelson?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Nelson is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 Nelson. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Kanazawa or Nelson Better for Families?

Nelson 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.

Nelson is one of the most popular family destinations. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders 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 Nelson Better for Couples?

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

For those traveling as a couple, Nelson has plenty to offer. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

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 Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson 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 Nelson. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

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 Nelson Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for students. However, Nelson 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.

Nelson is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Nelson is not a good city 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 Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Kanazawa or Nelson a more walkable city?

Kanazawa and Nelson are superb when it comes to 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.

Nelson is a very walkable city. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Nelson?

In either Kanazawa or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nelson than Kanazawa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kanazawa, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nelson than Kanazawa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nelson that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nelson than Kanazawa 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 Nelson.

One day in Kanazawa or Nelson?

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

The beautiful city of Nelson 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 Nelson?

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.

Nelson is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Nelson?

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.

Nelson is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nelson, 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 Nelson?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic 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.

Nelson 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 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 Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Nelson, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Nelson 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 Nelson Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Nelson?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Nelson. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Nelson, 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.