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

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

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 Nagoya. 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 somber, informative, and educational town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Kanchanaburi travel costs.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a under-rated, often overlooked, and under-the-radar city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Nagoya travel costs.

Kanchanaburi and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagoya than Kanchanaburi, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kanchanaburi is more touristy than Nagoya and is known for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks. Nagoya is popular for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. It is also home to the Nagoya Castle.

How is Kanchanaburi different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Nagoya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

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

Nagoya is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Nagoya, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

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 Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Nagoya is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nagoya has a large number of nightlife venues. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

Kanchanaburi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

Nagoya is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Nagoya is well-known for its shopping. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

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 Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Nagoya is very family-friendly. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kanchanaburi. 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.

Is Kanchanaburi or Nagoya Better for Couples?

Kanchanaburi and Nagoya both good 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.

Nagoya is a good town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

Is Kanchanaburi or Nagoya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanchanaburi and Nagoya are both good 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 Nagoya. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

Is Kanchanaburi or Nagoya Better for Students?

Nagoya is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Kanchanaburi is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nagoya. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

Kanchanaburi is not popular with students.

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

Nagoya is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Nagoya can get you around easily. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Kanchanaburi, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The easiest way to get around town is by tuk tuk or songthaew (pick up truck).

Is Kanchanaburi or Nagoya a more walkable city?

Nagoya 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.

Nagoya is a very walkable city. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.

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 Nagoya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Kanchanaburi?

How long in Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kanchanaburi and Nagoya. In our opinion, Nagoya has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nagoya than Kanchanaburi. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kanchanaburi. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Each neighborhood in Nagoya has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

Kanchanaburi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nagoya 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. Lots of people come for the food. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanchanaburi. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated big city of Nagoya. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Nagoya?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the reflective destination of Kanchanaburi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Nagoya 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 Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Nagoya, we can see that Nagoya 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 Nagoya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagoya 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 Nagoya Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Nagoya, 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 Nagoya?

Nagoya 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 Nagoya in the Summer?

Both Nagoya and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nagoya for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Nagoya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanchanaburi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Nagoya averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Kanchanaburi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagoya during summer. Kanchanaburi gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Nagoya in the Autumn?

Both Nagoya and Kanchanaburi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Nagoya in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Kanchanaburi is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. In the autumn, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Kanchanaburi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun.

Nagoya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Nagoya. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Nagoya in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Nagoya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round. Also, most visitors come to Nagoya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nagoya can be very cold during winter. Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Nagoya in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In Kanchanaburi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during winter. Kanchanaburi gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Nagoya in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Nagoya. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the activities around the city.

The heat can be very extreme in Kanchanaburi. In the spring, Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanchanaburi in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Nagoya averages at about 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In the spring, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Kanchanaburi gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagoya. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in April than Nagoya. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Kanchanaburi