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

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is a educational, reflective, and somber town. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Kanazawa

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

Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kanazawa than Kanchanaburi. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kanchanaburi is famous for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also well known for Kenroku-en Garden.

How is Kanchanaburi different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kanazawa and Kanchanaburi. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Kanchanaburi. The city is most recognized for the Bridge on the River Kwai (Death Railway Bridge), which you can walk across or take a train across. The city also has the Thailand Burma Railway Center and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the Memorial Museum, Chungkai Cemetery, and the JEATH War Museum.

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.

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

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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 Kanchanaburi area. While food isn't the first thing that comes to mind here, you'll find markets with great street food as well as interesting riverside and floating restaurants. A local specialty that you should try is the gaeng paa pla khang (jungle curry). There are also western style restaurants if you need a break from the curry. Many visitors head to Mae Nam Khwae Road for most of their meals.

Is Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kanchanaburi. The backpacker scene keeps the nightlife active. You'll find locals and tourists mingling along Maenam Kwai Road. You'll also find several clubs along Song Kwae Road.

Kanazawa has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Is Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a good destination for its old town. However, Kanchanaburi 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.

Kanchanaburi does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Kanchanaburi to go shopping. There are lively night markets, active walking streets, and independent vendors where you can pick up souvenirs or anything that you might need.

Is Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Both Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa are nice family-friendly destinations.

Kanchanaburi is a family-friendly town. Although most people think of "The Bridge over the River Kwai" when they think of Kanchanaburi, for families, there are actually a number of outdoor adventures in the area that kids will enjoy. Biking, hiking, and kayaking are all popular. The locals are also very friendly and welcoming to children.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kanazawa. 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 Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa both nice destinations for a couple.

Kanchanaburi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an educational and informative place to visit, but there are also outdoor activities that couples can enjoy together.

Kanazawa is a good town for couples to visit. 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 Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kanchanaburi. There are plenty of hostels to choose from in the area, and like many places in Thailand, it is an affordable place to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Kanchanaburi 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.

Kanchanaburi is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa.

Kanchanaburi has some public transit options. The easiest way to get around town is by tuk tuk or songthaew (pick up truck).

You'll find some public transit in Kanazawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Kanchanaburi is a somewhat walkable town. There is a Walking Street in the town that has restaurants and nightlife.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Kanchanaburi?

How long in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kanchanaburi than Kanazawa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Kanchanaburi, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kanazawa.

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

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

The town of Kanchanaburi offers food and shopping. 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.

In Kanazawa, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Kanchanaburi 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kanchanaburi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kanazawa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Kanchanaburi 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Kanazawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Kanchanaburi is a great place to explore. 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.

Kanazawa is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.

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

Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa, 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 Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kanchanaburi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Kanazawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round. Also, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kanchanaburi is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 29°C (84°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Kanchanaburi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa during summer. Kanchanaburi gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the shopping scene during these months.

Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Kanazawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In the autumn, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanchanaburi usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa in the Winter?

Both Kanazawa and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Kanazawa can be very cold. In the winter, Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kanchanaburi in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during winter. Kanchanaburi gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Kanazawa in the Spring?

Both Kanazawa and Kanchanaburi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Kanchanaburi can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Kanchanaburi is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 32°C (89°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. In the spring, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in April than Kanazawa. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Kanchanaburi