A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kobe vs. Brisbane for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kobe or Brisbane?

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 Kobe and Brisbane. 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.

Kobe

Kobe is a under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a diverse, cultural, and active coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kobe and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Brisbane?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Brisbane than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Brisbane, Brisbane has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Brisbane is very popular for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Kobe attracts visitors for its food. Brisbane is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also well known for the Cultural Centre. Kobe is famous for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kobe or Brisbane?

Brisbane is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Brisbane. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

Is the Food Better in Kobe or Brisbane? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kobe is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kobe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is great for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is great for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a good destination for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Brisbane?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Brisbane both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kobe. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Brisbane is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Kobe and Brisbane both nice destinations for a couple.

Kobe is a good city for couples to visit. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

Many students visit Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Kobe is not popular with students.

Is Kobe or Brisbane Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe and Brisbane both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Kobe offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Kobe or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Brisbane is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

For even more information, also check out Is Kobe Worth Visiting? and Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Brisbane?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane than Kobe 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 Brisbane.

One day in Kobe or Brisbane?

The city of Kobe offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kobe or Brisbane?

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

Brisbane is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Brisbane?

Kobe 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the relaxed destination of Brisbane. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Brisbane?

Kobe 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 city offers something for everyone.

The cultural coastal city of Brisbane offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Brisbane?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Brisbane, 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 Kobe or Brisbane?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Kobe has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kobe or Brisbane in the Summer?

Both Brisbane and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kobe is around the same temperature as Brisbane in the summer. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. It's quite rainy in Kobe. In July, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brisbanein January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Brisbane in the Autumn?

Both Brisbane and Kobe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kobe in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Kobe is cooler than Brisbane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kobe in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Brisbane averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein April. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets less rain in October than Brisbanein April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Brisbane in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Brisbane. Most visitors come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Kobe is generally much colder than Brisbanein July. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 5°C (42°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Brisbanein July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Brisbane in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Brisbane. The spring months attract visitors to Kobe because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

Kobe is cooler than Brisbane in the spring. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the spring, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein October. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Brisbanein October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Kobe