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

Should you visit Kanazawa or Wollongong?

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 Wollongong can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a well-preserved, historic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a trendy, vibrant, and student-friendly 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.

Kanazawa and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Wollongong?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wollongong than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Wollongong, Wollongong has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wollongong is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Kanazawa is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Kanazawa is more touristy than Wollongong and is known for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Wollongong is well known for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. Also, Wollongong is famous for Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Kanazawa different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Wollongong can be an interesting and educational experience. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

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

Both Kanazawa and Wollongong 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 Wollongong. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

Is Kanazawa or Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Wollongong for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

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 Wollongong Better for Beaches?

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

Wollongong is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Wollongong Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Wollongong does not have a historic old town.

Kanazawa has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Wollongong does not have a historic old town.

Is Kanazawa or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

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

Many people include a hike when visiting Wollongong. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Wollongong?

Kanazawa is great for its shopping areas. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Wollongong is a great destination for shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Is Kanazawa or Wollongong Better for Families?

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

Wollongong is a very family-friendly destination. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

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 Wollongong Better for Couples?

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

Wollongong is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

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 Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kanazawa and Wollongong 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 Wollongong. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Kanazawa or Wollongong Better for Students?

For students, both Kanazawa and Wollongong are notable 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.

Wollongong is a good city to visit for students. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

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

Wollongong 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 Wollongong is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

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 Wollongong a more walkable city?

Kanazawa and Wollongong 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.

Wollongong is a very walkable city. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

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

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Wollongong?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kanazawa or Wollongong?

With museums and nightlife around the historic 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 coastal city of Wollongong 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 Wollongong?

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.

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

Five days in Kanazawa or Wollongong?

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.

Wollongong 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 Wollongong?

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.

Wollongong 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 coastal 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanazawa and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong is more expensive. And not only is Kanazawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kanazawa is in Asia and Wollongong 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 Kanazawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanazawa 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 Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong than you might in Kanazawa.

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

Which is Bigger, Kanazawa or Wollongong?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Kanazawa and Wollongong, 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 Wollongong?

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

Both Wollongong and Kanazawa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kanazawa is generally around the same temperature as Wollongongin January. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 26°C (78°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Kanazawa gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. In July, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Wollongongin January. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Kanazawa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

In the autumn, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin April. Kanazawa gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in October than Wollongongin April. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Wollongong in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Wollongong. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong 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 Wollongong. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kanazawa in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Wollongong averages at about 10°C (50°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Wollongongin July. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanazawa or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Wollongong. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Kanazawa is generally cooler than Wollongongin October. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 12°C (54°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. In the spring, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin October. Kanazawa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Kanazawa