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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Noosa Heads?

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 Noosa Heads can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a scenic, natural, and charming coastal town. With plenty of 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, shopping, and nightlife.

Kanazawa and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Noosa Heads?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Noosa Heads. Although Kanazawa and Noosa Heads are popular destinations, Noosa Heads has more sights and attractions for tourists. Noosa Heads is very popular for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Noosa Heads is famous for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. It is also well known for Noosa Main Beach.

How is Kanazawa different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is a great city for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

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

Both Kanazawa and Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

Is Kanazawa or Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Kanazawa and Noosa Heads.

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 Noosa Heads. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Kanazawa or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

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

With world-famous beaches, Noosa Heads is a very popular vacation destination. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Noosa Heads Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its old town. However, Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kanazawa. 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.

Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Noosa Heads?

Kanazawa is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Kanazawa is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Noosa Heads to go shopping. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Kanazawa or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

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

Noosa Heads is a very family-friendly destination. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

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 Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

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

Noosa Heads is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Noosa Heads is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Noosa Heads is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Noosa Heads is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa and Noosa Heads both offer nice 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.

Noosa Heads has a few public transit options. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Kanazawa or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Kanazawa and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is a very walkable city. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

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

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Noosa Heads?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

One day in Kanazawa or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural 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.

Noosa Heads is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. 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 Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town 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 Noosa Heads, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches 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 Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches 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 coastal 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Noosa Heads?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?

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

Both Noosa Heads and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is a little warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Noosa Heads. It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

Both Noosa Heads and Kanazawa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kanazawa is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin April. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Noosa Heads. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Kanazawa is much colder than Noosa Heads in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in July.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Noosa Heads. Additionally, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

In the spring, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Noosa Heads. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Kanazawa