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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Newcastle?

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 Newcastle 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 nightlife, food, and shopping. See Kanazawa travel costs.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a high energy, trendy, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Newcastle travel costs.

Kanazawa and Newcastle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Newcastle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Newcastle. Although Kanazawa and Newcastle are roughly the same size, Newcastle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Newcastle is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Kanazawa is more popular for its historical sights. Kanazawa is more touristy than Newcastle and is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Newcastle is well known for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks. Also, Newcastle is famous for the Bathers Way.

How is Kanazawa different from Newcastle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Kanazawa or Newcastle.

Many visitors head to Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Newcastle can be an interesting and educational experience. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

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

Both Kanazawa and Newcastle offer great 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 Newcastle. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle is great for nightlife. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Newcastle for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

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.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for Beaches?

Newcastle is great for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Newcastle is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Newcastle 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.

Newcastle does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for Hiking?

Newcastle is very good for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Newcastle. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Newcastle?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kanazawa and Newcastle both offer plenty of great spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Newcastle is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international brands.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Kanazawa or Newcastle.

Kanazawa offers lots of family activities. 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.

Newcastle is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Newcastle 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.

Newcastle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Newcastle 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 Newcastle. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a popular place for students. However, Newcastle 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.

Newcastle is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa and Newcastle both offer notable 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.

Newcastle has a few public transit options. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

Is Kanazawa or Newcastle a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Newcastle is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Newcastle or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Newcastle?

It's fun to spend time in either Kanazawa or Newcastle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Newcastle 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 Newcastle.

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

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

One day in Kanazawa or Newcastle?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kanazawa. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kanazawa has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The city of Newcastle offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Newcastle?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the well-preserved destination of Kanazawa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Newcastle 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Newcastle, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Newcastle?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the well-preserved city of Kanazawa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Newcastle 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 Newcastle?

Kanazawa is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Newcastle is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, 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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Newcastle?

Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?

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

Both Newcastle and Kanazawa during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kanazawa is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein January. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 26°C (78°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein January. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun.

Newcastle 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 Newcastlein January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Newcastle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Newcastle. The autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

Kanazawa is cooler than Newcastle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in April.

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during autumn. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Newcastlein April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Newcastle. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Kanazawa in the winter. In the winter, Kanazawa is much colder than Newcastle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kanazawa in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Newcastle averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. In the winter, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein July. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in January than Newcastlein July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Newcastle in the Spring?

Both Newcastle and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Kanazawa is generally cooler than Newcastlein October. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 12°C (54°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Newcastle. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during spring. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In April, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Newcastlein October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Kanazawa