A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapa vs. Kanazawa for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sapa or Kanazawa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Kanazawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sapa

Sapa is a fascinating, picturesque, and cultural town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come to Sapa because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food. See Sapa travel costs.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a historic, cultural, and well-preserved city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Kanazawa travel costs.

Sapa and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapa or Kanazawa?

Both Kanazawa and Sapa have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Sapa is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa is known for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Sapa is popular for its stunning village and mountain trekking, beautiful rice paddies, and colorful weekly markets. Kanazawa is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens.

How is Sapa different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kanazawa is great for its historical sights. However, Sapa is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Sapa offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While the many nearby villages are filled with markets and culture and have the feel of living museums, there are few actual museums in the area.

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

Foodies will find both Sapa and Kanazawa both to be very good destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sapa. The area's food highlights the local agricultural scene with lots of meat, fish, and vegetables. If you want to check out traditional Hmong cuisine, Thang Co is one of the most common dishes. It's a soup that has a strong smell and is prepared with local herbs and meats.

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).

Is Sapa or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Sapa and Kanazawa.

If you're looking for night time activities Sapa has a few options to choose from. While you don't visit the area for its nightlife, there's a big backpacker scene here so you'll likely find a crowd looking for a good time. The town has a night market and there are plenty of bars that cater to the tourists.

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 Sapa or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is very good for its historic old town. However, Sapa does not have a historic old town.

Kanazawa is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Sapa does not have a historic old town.

Is Sapa or Kanazawa Better for Hiking?

Sapa is very popular for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Sapa specifically for its hiking. Trekking is, by far, one of the best ways to experience the area's beauty. You'll pass by scenic rice paddies, walk along mist covered mountains, and stumble into fascinating villages. Many people hire a local guide to guide them. This helps the local economy and offers insider information.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapa or Kanazawa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sapa and Kanazawa both offer plenty of very good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sapa. Many villages have a weekly market that is very fascinating to explore. In addition to local food items, there are often locally made handicrafts that make great souvenirs from your travels.

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.

Is Sapa or Kanazawa More Beautiful?

Sapa is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Sapa because of it's amazing beauty. The region is filled with dramatic mountains and rice paddies that give it a truly Vietnamese beauty.

Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sapa or Kanazawa Better for Families?

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

Sapa is a very family-friendly destination. Many people arrive via an overnight train, which is an adventure for the whole family. Once you arrive, your kids will experience a local culture that is uniquely its own. You can participate in a homestay and enjoy meals prepared by a local family. There are also many kid-friendly hikes through the surrounding mountains.

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 Sapa or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

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

Sapa is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy experiencing unique cultures and hiking through stunning mountain settings will love a trip to this mountain town. While the tourists have definitely discovered the area, there are still places that have a local vibe with traditional Vietnamese markets and homesteads.

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 Sapa or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapa is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Sapa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Like much of Southeast Asia, this town and the surrounding areas are solidly on the backpacker trail. You'll find cheap places to stay and tours that cater specifically to the budget and backpacker crowd.

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

Is Sapa or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Sapa is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Sapa is not popular with students.

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

Sapa and Kanazawa both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Sapa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through the region. If you're hoping to visit nearby towns for their market days, an organized tour or private guide is a good option.

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 Sapa or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Sapa and Kanazawa are very good when it comes to walkability.

Sapa is very walkable. Trekking is, by far, the best way to experience the area and all of the beauty and culture that it has to offer.

Kanazawa is a very walkable town. 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 Sapa Worth Visiting? and Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Sapa?

How long in Sapa or Kanazawa?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sapa or Kanazawa to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sapa than Kanazawa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Sapa, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kanazawa.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapa 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 Sapa.

One day in Sapa or Kanazawa?

The beautiful town of Sapa offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

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 Sapa or Kanazawa?

Sapa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Sapa, 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 Sapa or Kanazawa?

Sapa is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 well-preserved 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 Sapa or Kanazawa?

Sapa is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 town 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 Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sapa or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Sapa 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.