A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nagasaki vs. Kanazawa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nagasaki or Kanazawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a welcoming, interesting, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a well-preserved, historic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nagasaki and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nagasaki than Kanazawa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nagasaki is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Kanazawa is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Nagasaki is well known for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. Also, Nagasaki is famous for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Kanazawa is well known for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens.

How is Nagasaki different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Kanazawa and Nagasaki.

Nagasaki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Nagasaki Peace Park is a moving tribute to those lost during the atomic bomb attack. Other sights around town include the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Kofukuji Temple, and Huis Ten Bosch.

Many visitors head to Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

Is the Food Better in Nagasaki or Kanazawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Nagasaki and Kanazawa both to be great destinations.

Nagasaki has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has a cosmopolitan cuisine which has been influenced by China and several Western cuisines. Popular local dishes include Chanpon (a noodle dish), Sara Udon (meat, vegetables, and noodles), and Kakuni Manju (pork belly on a dough bun).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kanazawa makes for a great culinary experience. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

Nagasaki is great for nightlife. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Nagasaki for the nightlife scene. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kanazawa. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Nagasaki does not have a historic old town.

Kanazawa has an old town worth visiting. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Nagasaki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kanazawa. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Nagasaki is a great destination for shopping. Head to the waterfront for the best shopping opportunities. You'll find everything from malls to souvenir shops around town. You'll also find traditional market streets which are known as shōtengai.

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nagasaki or Kanazawa.

Nagasaki is a family-friendly city. Check out Agiruno Oka Park, which has a small farm and other recreational activities. There are also several kid-friendly museums like the Nagasaki City Science Museum and the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium. There are also many parks and playgrounds as well as the Nagasaki Seaside Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kanazawa. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nagasaki and Kanazawa make for a notable place to visit.

Nagasaki is a good city for couples to visit. There's a unique cuisine with good restaurants. There are also many parks where couples can take a stroll, as well as relaxing hot springs nearby.

Kanazawa is a nice destination for couples. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagasaki and Kanazawa are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nagasaki. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

Kanazawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nagasaki is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Nagasaki is not popular with students.

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagasaki is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Nagasaki is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

Kanazawa has a few public transit options. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Is Nagasaki or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Kanazawa is a very walkable destination. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

Nagasaki is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city can be explored by foot. The downtown is about a kilometer from Nagasaki Station and the Peace Park is several kilometers in the other direction from the station.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagasaki Worth Visiting? and Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Nagasaki?

How long in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nagasaki or Kanazawa to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nagasaki than Kanazawa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagasaki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kanazawa.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanazawa than Nagasaki 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 Kanazawa.

One day in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

The city of Nagasaki offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Kanazawa 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.

A weekend in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Nagasaki 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.

Kanazawa 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.

A week in Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Nagasaki 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.

Kanazawa 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagasaki and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Nagasaki Expensive? and Is Kanazawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Nagasaki. When comparing the sizes of Nagasaki and Kanazawa, 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 Nagasaki or Kanazawa?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagasaki and Kanazawa. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nagasaki is around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagasaki in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Nagasaki usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during summer. Nagasaki gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagasaki gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagasaki usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Nagasaki gets 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagasaki as well as Kanazawa. Many travelers come to Nagasaki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Nagasaki is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Nagasaki average around 20°C (67°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Nagasaki often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Nagasaki gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagasaki usually gets less rain in October than Kanazawa. Nagasaki gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Kanazawa in the Winter?

Both Kanazawa and Nagasaki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nagasaki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Nagasaki is much warmer than Kanazawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagasaki averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Nagasaki usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during winter. Nagasaki gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. In January, Nagasaki usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Nagasaki gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Kanazawa in the Spring?

Both Kanazawa and Nagasaki during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nagasaki for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Nagasaki is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagasaki in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Nagasaki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa. Nagasaki gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. Nagasaki usually gets more rain in April than Kanazawa. Nagasaki gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Nagasaki