A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Osaka vs. Kanazawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Osaka or Kanazawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Kanazawa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Osaka or Kanazawa?

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

Kanazawa

An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.

Which city is cheaper, Kanazawa or Osaka?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $77, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $94. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Osaka and Kanazawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Osaka $39
    Kanazawa $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Osaka $78
    Kanazawa $116
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Kanazawa

Looking for a hotel in Osaka or Kanazawa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Osaka


Hotels in Kanazawa


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Osaka Hotel Prices and Kanazawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Osaka $13
    Kanazawa $8.47
Typical Local Transportation prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $8.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Osaka Private Transfer from Osaka central to Kansai International Airport (KIX): $539
  • KIX Airport Transfers (to or from OSAKA) by Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019: $398
  • KIX Airport Transfers (to or from OSAKA) by Toyota ALPHARD 2019: $398
  • Kyoto: Private Transfer to or from Kansai Airport: $337
  • KIX Airport Transfers (to or from OSAKA) by Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018: $323
  • Osaka Private Transfer from Osaka central to Itami Airport (ITM): $314
  • Osaka ITM Airport to Main Osaka door to door Private Transfer 9 seats Hiace: $289
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $269
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $256
  • Private Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $242
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $218
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $218

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanazawa

Also for Kanazawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Kanazawa to Komatsu Airport: $157

Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Kanazawa?

Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Osaka change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Osaka $22
    Kanazawa $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street Food Tour Around Dotonburi Canal: $9.84
  • Takoyaki Cooking Class: $13
  • Deep Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba, Osaka: $30
  • Deep Food Tour ＆ Bar Hopping in Temma, Osaka: $30
  • (Online)Popular Japanese pancake and miso soup cooking: $31
  • 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $36
  • Local Secrets Food Tour in Osaka: $37
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $40
  • Walkabout Food Tour in Osaka: $43
  • Okonomiyaki Cooking, The Heart of Osaka: $57
  • Lunch Box Bento Set Cooking: $74
  • Home Cooking Class: $76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa

For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Omicho Market Tour and Cooking Class: $68
  • Kanazawa Omicho market and Higashichayagai district Food Tour: $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Osaka $17
    Kanazawa $8.85
Typical Entertainment prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $34

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Way Day Tour Osaka - Takayama via Biwako, Kanazawa and Shirakawago: $159
  • 1-Day Hiroshima & Miyajima Tour (Round-trip from Osaka): $379
  • 2 Hours Private Guided Walking Tour in Osaka: $39
  • A Complete Kimono Experience in Nara: $62
  • Amanohashidate,Ine,Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1-day tour: $933
  • Arashiyama: Bamboo Grove and Temple Tour: $144
  • Bus Trip from Osaka/Kyoto to Kyoto Meet Maiko in Gion and Kyoto Tour: $135
  • Cosplay Photo Experience in Osaka: $48
  • Day trip to Nara from Osaka or Kyoto, World Heritage Sites and deer park tour: $419
  • Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours: $64
  • Deep Osaka All-Inclusive Nighttime Foodie Cultural Experience: $109
  • Eat, Drink, Cycle: Osaka Food and Bike Tour: $96

Tours and Activities in Kanazawa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.

  • 5 Hour Historical Shirakawago and Gokayama Village Tour: $295
  • Cultural and meditation Tour through Ishikawa prefecture: $399
  • General Admission Ticket Fee: $4.92
  • Gokayama and Shirakawago full day tour with professional photographer: $421
  • Guided Night Tour to Feel the Samurai Culture in Kanazawa: $85
  • Hidden Gems Of Private & Personalized Walking Experience: $103
  • Kanazawa Custom Full Day Tour: $298
  • Kanazawa Custom Half Day Tour: $168
  • Kanazawa Fisherman’s Wharf Night Exploration tour: $91
  • Kanazawa Full Day Tour (Private Guide): $181
  • Kanazawa Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide: $138
  • Kanazawa Half Day Tour (Private Guide): $122

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Osaka $10
    Kanazawa $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $20
  • Private Tour - Fashionable Pub Crawl at Osaka, Enjoy the Japanese Alcohol!: $98

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Osaka.


When is the best time to visit Osaka 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 Osaka or Kanazawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Kanazawa.

In the summer, Osaka is around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Osaka in July are around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa is about 26°C (78°F).

Osaka usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa during summer. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Osaka usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Osaka 28°C (82°F) 
    Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Kanazawa.

In October, Osaka is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Temperatures in Osaka average around 19°C (66°F), and Kanazawa stays around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Osaka often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Osaka receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Osaka usually gets less rain in October than Kanazawa. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Osaka 19°C (66°F) 
    Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Kanazawa in the Winter?

Both Kanazawa and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kanazawa. Osaka is much warmer than Kanazawa in the winter. The temperature in Osaka is usually 6°C (42°F) in January, and Kanazawa stays around 3°C (38°F).

Osaka usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during winter. Osaka gets 140 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, Osaka usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Osaka 6°C (42°F) 
    Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Kanazawa in the Spring?

Both Kanazawa and Osaka during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Osaka is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Osaka in April are around 15°C (59°F), and Kanazawa is about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Osaka often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa. Osaka gets 176 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 Osaka. Osaka usually gets less rain in April than Kanazawa. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Osaka 15°C (59°F) 
    Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Osaka

Osaka Kanazawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 3°C (38°F) 294 mm (11.6 in)
Feb 6°C (43°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (38°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Jun 24°C (74°F) 204 mm (8 in) 21°C (70°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 251 mm (9.9 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 248 mm (9.8 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 306 mm (12 in)


Related Articles for Kanazawa
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Osaka vs. Kanazawa Travel Comparison

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