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

Should you visit Nara or Kanazawa?

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

Should I visit Nara 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.

Nara

Nara is a tranquil, natural, and historic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Nara and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Kanazawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Nara than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Nara, Nara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nara is very popular for its nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its food. Kanazawa is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. Nara is famous for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. It is also well known for Nara Park.

How is Nara different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Nara and Kanazawa.

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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 Nara or Kanazawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kanazawa is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kanazawa. 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).

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Nara or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Nara for the nightlife scene. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

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 Nara or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the nice old towns in both Nara and Kanazawa.

Many people head to Nara to see the old town. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

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.

Is Nara or Kanazawa Better for Hiking?

Nara is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nara for the hiking trails. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Kanazawa?

Both Nara and Kanazawa are great shopping destinations.

Nara is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

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.

Is Nara or Kanazawa Better for Families?

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

Nara is a very family-friendly destination. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

Kanazawa is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Nara or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

Nara is great for romance. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Nara is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Nara or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nara and Kanazawa are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nara. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

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

Is Nara or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a popular place for students. However, Nara is not popular with students.

Kanazawa is a good city to visit for students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Nara is not popular with students.

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

Nara 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 Nara is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

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 Nara or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Nara and Kanazawa both are great when exploring on foot.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Nara?

How long in Nara or Kanazawa?

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

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

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

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

One day in Nara or Kanazawa?

The city of Nara offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Kanazawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nara or Kanazawa?

Nara 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nara, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kanazawa 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 Nara or Kanazawa?

Nara 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 historic destination of Kanazawa. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nara or Kanazawa?

Nara is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 city of Kanazawa 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Nara 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 Nara or Kanazawa?

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 Nara or Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nara as well as Kanazawa. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nara this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nara is generally around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 27°C (80°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In the summer, Nara often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Nara receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nara usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

Both Kanazawa and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nara for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Nara is around the same temperature as Kanazawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Nara usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa during autumn. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Nara. In October, Nara usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nara or Kanazawa in the Winter?

Both Kanazawa and Nara during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nara 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. Nara can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nara is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nara in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Nara often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nara usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Kanazawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Kanazawa. Most visitors come to Nara for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Nara is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 14°C (57°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Nara usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa during spring. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nara usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Nara