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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Kanazawa and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Wellington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wellington than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Wellington, Wellington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wellington is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Wellington is famous for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also well known for Zealandia Ecosanctuary.

How is Kanazawa different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Kanazawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Both Kanazawa and Wellington 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 Wellington. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Kanazawa or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Wellington for the nightlife scene. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington Better for Beaches?

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

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its old town. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Wellington Better for Hiking?

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

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Wellington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kanazawa and Wellington 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.

Wellington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Kanazawa or Wellington Better for Families?

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

Wellington is a very family-friendly destination. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Kanazawa and Wellington are nice 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.

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Kanazawa or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Wellington is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington Better for Students?

For students, both Kanazawa and Wellington are nice places to visit.

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

Wellington is a good city to visit for students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Wellington is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Wellington is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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.

Is Kanazawa or Wellington a more walkable city?

Kanazawa and Wellington are great 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.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Wellington?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington 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 Wellington.

One day in Kanazawa or Wellington?

With museums and nightlife around the well-preserved city of Kanazawa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kanazawa, one day is sufficent for most.

The city of Wellington 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 Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kanazawa, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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

Five days in Kanazawa or Wellington?

Kanazawa, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Kanazawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wellington 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, 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 Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Wellington?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Wellington. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanazawa is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanazawa in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Wellington. The autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In October, Kanazawa is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 17°C (62°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Kanazawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin April. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Kanazawa in the winter. Kanazawa is much colder than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during winter. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Kanazawa during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanazawa in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

In the spring, Kanazawa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Kanazawa