A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kobe vs. Kamakura for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Kobe or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura. 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 multicultural, quaint, and subdued city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kobe and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Kamakura?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kamakura than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Kamakura, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and hiking, while Kobe is more popular for its shopping and big city activities. Kamakura is more touristy than Kobe and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Also, Kamakura is famous for the Great Buddha. Kobe is well known for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kamakura 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 Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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 Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Kamakura can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kamakura makes for a great culinary experience. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Kobe or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura for the nightlife scene. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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 Kamakura Better for Beaches?

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

Kamakura offers a nice beach destination. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Kobe does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura has an old town worth visiting. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Kobe does not have a historic old town.

Is Kobe or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

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

Kamakura offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Kamakura?

Kobe is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Kobe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Kobe or Kamakura Better for Families?

Both Kobe and Kamakura are notable family-friendly destinations.

Kobe offers lots of family activities. 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.

Kamakura is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Kobe or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Kamakura is great for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Kamakura is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Kobe or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kobe and Kamakura are notable places to visit.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kamakura. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

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

Kobe and Kamakura both offer notable 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.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Kobe or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Kobe and Kamakura are notable when it comes to walkability.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable city. 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.

Kamakura is somewhat walkable. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kobe or Kamakura to fill your time. In our opinion, Kamakura has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kamakura than Kobe. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Kobe or Kamakura?

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

A weekend in Kobe or Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura 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 Kamakura?

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 museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Kamakura. This coastal 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 Kamakura?

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 quaint coastal city of Kamakura 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, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Kobe and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Kamakura?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kobe or Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura and Kobe during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kobe is around the same temperature as Kamakura. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kobe in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Kamakura averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In the summer, Kobe often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in July than Kamakura. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Kamakura. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 18°C (65°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Kobe usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during autumn. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kobe usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kobe or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Kamakura. Many visitors come to Kobe in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kobe is cooler than Kamakura in the winter. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Kamakura. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun.

Kobe usually gets less rain in January than Kamakura. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches.

In the spring, Kobe is around the same temperature as Kamakura. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kobe in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Kamakura averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Kobe usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during spring. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Kobe. In April, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kamakura. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Kobe