A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Yamaguchi for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Yamaguchi 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.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a active, vibrant, and high energy resort city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is a traditional, serene, and tranquil town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Pattaya and Yamaguchi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pattaya than Yamaguchi. While Yamaguchi is larger than Pattaya, Pattaya has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pattaya is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Yamaguchi is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Yamaguchi and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. It is also home to the Sanctuary of Truth. Yamaguchi is popular for its temples, serene setting, and traditional ways.

How is Pattaya different from Yamaguchi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

Yamaguchi is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Yamaguchi. There are many historic shrines and temples in the area, as well as the Kintai Bridge.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pattaya. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

Is the Food Better in Pattaya or Yamaguchi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pattaya and Yamaguchi.

Pattaya has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Street food is what this city is all about. You'll find streets lined with restaurants, but you'll also find snacks and other culinary treats at every corner. Khao Gaeng (curried rice with meat or vegetables), Kai Jeow (omelet over rice), and Moo Ping (grilled pork) are among the favorites.

Dining out in Yamaguchi is an experience not to be missed. The city has a long-running farming and fishing industry, so you can be assured fresh ingredients at every meal. Dishes are still deeply rooted in the area's culinary traditions, and perhaps the most famous local delicacy is the Fugu fish, otherwise known as blowfish. It's become famous among westerners as the fish can be poisonous if not prepared correctly.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. However, Yamaguchi is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Pattaya is a world class party destination. Despite a promotional campaign to promote family vacations, this city still holds tight to its party hard reputation. You'll find live bands, international DJs, and rooftop parties any night of the week.

Yamaguchi is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some pubs and local bars, but most of the area is peaceful and tranquil, especially at night.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Yamaguchi is not a resort destination.

Pattaya is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. If you're looking for built-up, all-the-frills, beach resorts, then this is your place. It's a touristy beach city with hotels are resorts that line the waterfront.

Yamaguchi is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Yamaguchi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Pattaya has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are snorkeling and dive excursions that leave from town, or you could throw on a mask and snorkel and look for marine life right off the beach.

Yamaguchi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a very popular place for the beach. However, Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Pattaya. There are countless white sand beaches in the area that range from party-focused, to romantic, to family-friendly. The blue waters and silky sand have long made this one of the most popular beach areas in Thailand.

Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Hiking?

Yamaguchi is a town with good options for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Yamaguchi. There are hiking and walking trails throughout the prefecture so that you can energy the natural setting.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Pattaya. The city is filled with markets, malls, bazaars, and street vendors that sells everything from clothes and bathing suits, to Thai crafts or local foods.

Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Families?

Pattaya is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Pattaya. Kids will love the amusement parks, water parks, and cultural parks. Highlights for families include Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Ramayana Water Park, and Mini Siam. For something totally unique, check out the ice sculptures at Frost Magical Ice of Siam and for something cultural and fun you can head to Legend Siam Pattaya. Despite local efforts to promote family-friendly activities, it's important to remember that the city does still has a party town reputation. There are areas that you should avoid with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Yamaguchi. The city offers beautiful temples and a glimpse into Japanese culture that kids and adults alike will enjoy. There are also beautiful gardens and nearby natural scenery.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Couples?

Yamaguchi is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Yamaguchi is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With its historic temples, natural beauty, and nice green space, this is a lovely city to explore as a couple.

Pattaya is a good resort city for couples to visit. There are many beach-oriented activities around town like boat rides and water sports. You could also enjoy a spa day or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun for the day.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Yamaguchi are good places to visit.

Pattaya is a good resort city to visit for backpackers. While it used to be a party town, these days Pattaya is more of a family destination that's filled with amusement parks and family-friendly resorts. Backpackers will still find hostels and budget accommodation, but that backpacker atmosphere isn't what it used to be.

Plenty of backpackers visit Yamaguchi. There are a couple of hostels and budget-friendly accommodation options in the area.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pattaya and Yamaguchi both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Pattaya offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The baht bus (songthaew) is the cheapest way to get around town. These are colorful pickup trucks with seats in the back. There are also motorbike taxis as well as regular taxis.

Yamaguchi has a few public transit options. There are buses through the city and prefecture.

Is Pattaya or Yamaguchi a more walkable city?

Yamaguchi is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

Yamaguchi is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walking trails in the area.

Pattaya is generally not very walkable. There's a walking street, as well as several walkable areas, but the city is relatively large and you'll likely want to catch a ride most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Pattaya Worth Visiting? and Is Yamaguchi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yamaguchi or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pattaya than Yamaguchi 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 Pattaya.

One day in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

You'll find nightlife and food around the resort city of Pattaya. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Yamaguchi, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the vibrant destination of Pattaya. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort city has to offer. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Yamaguchi, you'll find museums and food. 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 Yamaguchi has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the active resort city of Pattaya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Yamaguchi 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.

A week in Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

Pattaya is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yamaguchi. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Yamaguchi. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

Yamaguchi has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Yamaguchi, 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 Pattaya or Yamaguchi?

Yamaguchi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pattaya experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Yamaguchi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Yamaguchi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Yamaguchi because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pattaya is a little warmer than Yamaguchi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Yamaguchi averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Yamaguchi receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Yamaguchi. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Yamaguchi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Yamaguchi. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Yamaguchi this time of year.

In October, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Yamaguchi. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Yamaguchi fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Yamaguchi. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season.

Should I visit Pattaya or Yamaguchi in the Winter?

Both Yamaguchi and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Yamaguchi for the museums and the cuisine.

Pattaya is much warmer than Yamaguchi in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Yamaguchi fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In January, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Yamaguchi. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Yamaguchi in the Spring?

Both Yamaguchi and Pattaya during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Yamaguchi in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Pattaya is much warmer than Yamaguchi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Yamaguchi averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Yamaguchi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in April than Yamaguchi. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Pattaya. June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Typical Weather for Yamaguchi and Pattaya