A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Kanazawa for Nightlife, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Phuket or Kanazawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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.

Phuket

Phuket is a energetic, party-hard, and stunning resort island. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Kanazawa

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

Phuket and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Kanazawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Phuket than Kanazawa. While Kanazawa is larger than Phuket, Phuket has more sights and attractions for tourists. Phuket is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Phuket is more touristy than Kanazawa and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also well known for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens.

How is Phuket different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kanazawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kanazawa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kanazawa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

Phuket is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Is Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Phuket is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

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 Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Resorts?

Phuket is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Phuket is a perfect choice. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Phuket. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Beaches?

Phuket is very popular for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Phuket is a very popular vacation destination. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kanazawa to see the old town. 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.

Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Kanazawa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Phuket and Kanazawa are both nice destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phuket. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Kanazawa offers lots of family activities. 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 Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

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

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

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 Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Phuket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. Many backpackers complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

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

Phuket is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Phuket and Kanazawa.

You'll find some public transit in Phuket, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

While Kanazawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Phuket or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Phuket is a somewhat walkable resort island. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Kanazawa?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phuket or Kanazawa to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Kanazawa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kanazawa.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanazawa than Phuket 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 Phuket or Kanazawa?

The resort island of Phuket offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kanazawa. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Phuket or Kanazawa?

Phuket is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kanazawa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Kanazawa?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanazawa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Kanazawa?

Phuket is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phuket has to offer. This resort island offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Kanazawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket or Kanazawa?

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

Should I visit Phuket or Kanazawa in the Summer?

Both Kanazawa and Phuket during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the summer, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 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 Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Kanazawa. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Kanazawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.

Phuket is much warmer than Kanazawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Kanazawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Kanazawa. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kanazawa. In the winter, Phuket is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Kanazawa in the Spring?

Both Kanazawa and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.

In April, Phuket is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Phuket