A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kobe vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Kobe or Rotorua?

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

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Kobe and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kobe than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kobe is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Rotorua is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. 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 Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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 Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Rotorua can be difficult as they are each very good 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, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Kobe or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Kobe and Rotorua.

If you're looking for night time activities Kobe has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Kobe or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is great for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Rotorua?

Kobe is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Kobe or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Rotorua is very family-friendly. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Rotorua is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Kobe or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Kobe and Rotorua are nice 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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Rotorua?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kobe or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Rotorua?

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 world-renowned destination of Rotorua. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Rotorua?

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 natural town of Rotorua offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kobe and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Rotorua?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Rotorua. Most visitors come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Kobe is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Rotorua. The autumn months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In the autumn, Kobe is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kobe in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Kobe is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 5°C (42°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In January, Kobe usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kobe for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.

Kobe is cooler than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Kobe