A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanazawa vs. Te Anau for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Kanazawa or Te Anau?

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 Te Anau can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Kanazawa travel costs.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a pristine, breathtaking, and stunning town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Many visitors also come to Te Anau because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include food and hiking. See Te Anau travel costs.

Kanazawa and Te Anau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Te Anau?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Kanazawa and Te Anau are popular destinations, Kanazawa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kanazawa is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Te Anau attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also well known for Kenroku-en Garden. Te Anau is famous for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

How is Kanazawa different from Te Anau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.

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

Both Kanazawa and Te Anau 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 Te Anau. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

Is Kanazawa or Te Anau Better for Nightlife?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Te Anau is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.

Is Kanazawa or Te Anau Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for its old town. However, Te Anau 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.

Te Anau does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Te Anau Better for Hiking?

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

Many people visit Te Anau specifically for its hiking. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Te Anau?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options 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.

Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.

Is Kanazawa or Te Anau More Beautiful?

Te Anau is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Te Anau because of it's amazing beauty. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, world class national parks, and spectacular views.

Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kanazawa or Te Anau Better for Families?

Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is one of the most popular family destinations. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.

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 Te Anau Better for Couples?

Te Anau 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, Te Anau has plenty to offer. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.

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 Te Anau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Te Anau is very popular with the backpacker crowd. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.

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 Te Anau Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Te Anau is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Kanazawa has some 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 limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.

Is Kanazawa or Te Anau a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options 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.

Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Te Anau or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Te Anau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kanazawa and Te Anau. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Te Anau than in Kanazawa. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kanazawa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Te Anau.

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

Couples should spend more time in Kanazawa than Te Anau. 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 Te Anau 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 Te Anau?

In Kanazawa, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

Te Anau is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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 Te Anau?

In Kanazawa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kanazawa has to offer.

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

Five days in Kanazawa or Te Anau?

Kanazawa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Te Anau is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking 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 Te Anau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanazawa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kanazawa. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Te Anau 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 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Te Anau?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Te Anau. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Te Anau, 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.