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

Should you visit Kobe or Dunedin?

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 Dunedin. 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 subdued, under-rated, and multicultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a hilly, cultural, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kobe and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Dunedin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kobe than Dunedin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kobe is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Dunedin attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Dunedin is more touristy than Kobe and is popular for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula. Kobe is famous for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. It is also well known for Kobe Harborland.

How is Kobe different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dunedin 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 Dunedin. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago Museum.

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 Dunedin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kobe is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Kobe is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dunedin. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

Is Kobe or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

Dunedin 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 Dunedin for the nightlife scene. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

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 Dunedin Better for Beaches?

Dunedin is a good destination for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Dunedin offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

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

Dunedin offers some nice hiking trails. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Dunedin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Dunedin both offer plenty of superb 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.

Dunedin is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

Is Kobe or Dunedin Better for Families?

Dunedin 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 Dunedin. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

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 Dunedin Better for Couples?

Kobe and Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

Is Kobe or Dunedin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dunedin 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 Dunedin. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

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 Dunedin Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Dunedin. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

Kobe is not popular with students.

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

Kobe and Dunedin 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.

Dunedin has a few public transit options. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

Is Kobe or Dunedin a more walkable city?

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

Dunedin is a very walkable destination. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

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 Dunedin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Dunedin?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kobe or Dunedin?

In Kobe, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dunedin. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Kobe or Dunedin?

In Kobe, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kobe has to offer.

Dunedin is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Dunedin?

Kobe is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the hilly destination of Dunedin. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kobe. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The vibrant city of Dunedin offers nightlife and food. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kobe and Dunedin, we can see that Kobe 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 Kobe is in Asia and Dunedin 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 Kobe Expensive? and Is Dunedin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Dunedin?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dunedin. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Dunedin, 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.