A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nikko vs. Christchurch for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Nikko or Christchurch?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nikko and Christchurch can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nikko

Nikko is a rural, historic, and cultural town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of Nikko is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Nikko travel costs.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Christchurch is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Christchurch travel costs.

Nikko and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nikko or Christchurch?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Christchurch. Although Nikko and Christchurch are popular destinations, Christchurch has more sights and attractions for tourists. Christchurch is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Nikko attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Nikko is more touristy than Christchurch and is popular for its Shinto and Buddhist mountain temples, its tranquil hot spring baths, and its peaceful natural setting. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. It is also well known for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

How is Nikko different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nikko or Christchurch?

Nikko is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Nikko are among the most recognizable in the world. The town sits on the edge of Nikko National Park, where you'll find shrines and temples. Toshogu Shrine is lavishly designed. Other notable temples in the area are Taiyuin, Rinnoji Temple, and Futarasan Temple.

Many visitors head to Christchurch specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Is the Food Better in Nikko or Christchurch? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Nikko and Christchurch offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Nikko. There are many traditional dishes in the area, but one of the most famous is yuba. Yuba is made from a part of soy milk, and you'll find it in places all over town. You'll also find sushi, tofu, and tea everywhere.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is great for nightlife. However, Nikko is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Christchurch for the nightlife scene. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

People don't go to Nikko for the nightlife. The town is about relaxing in a tranquil setting and soaking up nature, so you won't find much in the form of nightlife.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is great for its beaches. However, Nikko is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Christchurch attract visitors from all over. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Nikko is not a beach destination.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for its Old Town?

Nikko is terrific for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Nikko has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The ancient town is filled with giant cedar trees that line walking paths that take you to the many shrines and temples in the area.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Both Nikko and Christchurch are destinations which offer excellent hiking.

Many visitors go to Nikko for the hiking trails. The town is surrounded by beautiful nature that you can explore on the many walking paths. The forests are well-preserved and they're filled with large cedar trees, dramatic waterfalls, and beautiful hikes. The area embraces the Japanese practice of "forest bathing" where you "bath" yourself in a beautiful natural environment.

Christchurch is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Is the Shopping Better in Nikko or Christchurch?

Christchurch is great for shopping. Also, Nikko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Nikko offers some nice shopping areas. There are places in town where you can pick up local handicrafts and traditional items.

Is Nikko or Christchurch More Beautiful?

Nikko is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Nikko is one of the main draws. There are striking temples, dramatic waterfalls, and beautiful nature that offers the perfect setting for losing yourself.

Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nikko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Christchurch is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Nikko is a very kid-friendly town. The area offers a unique way for kids to experience Japanese culture. A highlight for the little ones is a ninja show at Grand Ninja Theatre and the Mizugei-za water magic show. Kids will also enjoy staying in a traditional ryokan and floating in the hot spring baths.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Couples?

Nikko is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Nikko makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. While many visitors come to see the shrines and temples, they often end up falling in love with the area's natural beauty, waterfalls, and "forest bathing" (surrounding yourself with nature). Couples will also enjoy dining on the local food and relaxing in a pool fed by a natural hot spring.

Christchurch is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nikko and Christchurch are excellent places to visit.

Nikko is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels in the area that combine affordability with traditional Japanese customs.

Christchurch is a great town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Students?

Christchurch is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Nikko is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Christchurch. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Nikko is not popular with students.

Is Nikko or Christchurch Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nikko is well known for its public transit. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Nikko has some very good public transit options. There are buses that run from the main train station to the many tourist sights in the area.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Nikko or Christchurch a more walkable city?

Nikko and Christchurch are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Nikko is very walkable. While the town is relatively walkable and there are walking paths through the forest and to most of the temples and shrines, if you want to get further into the region, it's helpful to have a car.

Christchurch is a very walkable town. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Nikko Worth Visiting? and Is Christchurch Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Nikko?

How long in Nikko or Christchurch?

It's fun to spend time in either Nikko or Christchurch. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. In general, 1-4 days is a good amount of time for Nikko, and 2-4 days is enough time in Christchurch.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Nikko 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 Christchurch.

One day in Nikko or Christchurch?

Nikko is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Christchurch, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this outdoorsy destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Nikko or Christchurch?

Nikko is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Nikko or Christchurch?

Nikko is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Christchurch is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Christchurch. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Nikko or Christchurch?

Nikko is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the adventure-filled destination of Christchurch. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

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

Which is Bigger, Nikko or Christchurch?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Nikko and Christchurch, 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 Nikko or Christchurch?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nikko has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nikko or Christchurch in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nikko as well as Christchurch. Many travelers come to Nikko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Christchurch in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nikko is a little warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nikko in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Christchurch averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. In the summer, Nikko often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin January. Nikko gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.

Nikko receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nikko usually gets more rain in July than Christchurchin January. Nikko gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nikko or Christchurch in the Autumn?

Both Christchurch and Nikko are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nikko in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Nikko is generally a little warmer than Christchurchin April. Daily temperatures in Nikko average around 16°C (61°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Nikko usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Christchurch during autumn. Nikko gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Nikko. In October, Nikko usually receives more rain than Christchurchin April. Nikko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nikko or Christchurch in the Winter?

Both Christchurch and Nikko during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nikko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nikko can be very cold during winter. Nikko is much colder than Christchurch in the winter. The daily temperature in Nikko averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Nikko. In the winter, Nikko often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin July. Nikko gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.

Nikko usually gets less rain in January than Christchurchin July. Nikko gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nikko or Christchurch in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nikko and Christchurch. The spring months attract visitors to Nikko because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

In the spring, Nikko is around the same temperature as Christchurch. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nikko in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. Nikko usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Christchurch during spring. Nikko gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nikko usually receives more rain than Christchurchin October. Nikko gets 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Nikko