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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Torquay?

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 Torquay 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.

Torquay

Torquay is a trendy, casual, and laid back surf town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kanazawa and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Torquay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Torquay. Although Kanazawa and Torquay are popular destinations, Torquay has more sights and attractions for tourists. Torquay is very popular for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Kanazawa is more touristy than Torquay and is known for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Torquay is famous for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. It is also well known for Bells Beach.

How is Kanazawa different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is great for its historical sights. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Torquay. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

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

Kanazawa is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kanazawa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Kanazawa and Torquay.

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 Torquay. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay Better for Beaches?

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

With world-famous beaches, Torquay is a very popular vacation destination. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Torquay 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.

Torquay does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Torquay for the hiking trails. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Torquay?

Kanazawa is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf 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 Torquay to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Kanazawa or Torquay.

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.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay Better for Couples?

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

Torquay is a great surf town if you're traveling as a couple. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

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 Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Torquay are nice 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 Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Torquay 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.

Torquay is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa and Torquay 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.

Torquay has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Kanazawa or Torquay a more walkable city?

Kanazawa and Torquay are excellent 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.

Torquay is a very walkable city. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

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

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Torquay?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanazawa than Torquay 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 Torquay?

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.

The surf town of Torquay 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 Torquay?

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.

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

Five days in Kanazawa or Torquay?

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.

Torquay 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 Torquay?

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.

Torquay 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 surf 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanazawa and Torquay, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Torquay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kanazawa is in Asia and Torquay is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Torquay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Torquay and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa than you might in Torquay.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanazawa Expensive? and Is Torquay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Torquay?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Torquay, 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 Torquay?

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

Both Torquay and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Torquay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Torquay averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Torquay. It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Torquayin January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Torquay in the Autumn?

Both Torquay and Kanazawa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kanazawa is generally cooler than Torquayin April. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Torquayin April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Torquay. Many visitors come to Kanazawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kanazawa can get quite cold in the winter. Kanazawa is much colder than Torquay in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Torquayin July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Torquay in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Torquay. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kanazawa is much colder than Torquay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Torquay averages at about 21°C (71°F)in October.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Torquayin October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Kanazawa