A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Kamakura for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Shanghai or Kamakura?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Kamakura. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a cosmopolitan, professional, and diverse port city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Shanghai is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Shanghai travel costs.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a ancient, quaint, and charming coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Kamakura travel costs.

Shanghai and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Kamakura?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Shanghai than Kamakura. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Shanghai is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Kamakura attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and hiking. Shanghai is famous for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also well known for The Bund. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches.

How is Shanghai different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Shanghai or Kamakura?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Shanghai that are not to be missed. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

Many visitors head to Kamakura specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Is the Food Better in Shanghai or Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Shanghai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

Kamakura has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a good destination for the beach. However, Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Kamakura offers a nice beach destination. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a good destination for its old town. However, Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kamakura to see the old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Kamakura offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Kamakura?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Shanghai is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura More Beautiful?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Shanghai is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Families?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Shanghai is a very family-friendly place to visit. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

Kamakura is a family-friendly port city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its romantic activities.

Shanghai makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

Kamakura makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shanghai is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Shanghai. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Students?

Shanghai is a well-known place for students. However, Kamakura is not popular with students.

Shanghai is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

Kamakura is not popular with students.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Shanghai. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Kamakura has some public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Shanghai or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Shanghai is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Shanghai is very walkable. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Shanghai Worth Visiting? and Is Kamakura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Shanghai or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Shanghai than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shanghai than Kamakura 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 Shanghai.

One day in Shanghai or Kamakura?

Shanghai is a big city with plenty to do. 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.

The coastal city of Kamakura offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Kamakura?

Shanghai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Shanghai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamakura is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kamakura, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Kamakura?

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

Kamakura is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

A week in Shanghai or Kamakura?

Shanghai is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

Kamakura is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Kamakura?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Kamakura, 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 Shanghai or Kamakura?

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 Shanghai or Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shanghai is generally a little warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 28°C (83°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Kamakura in the Autumn?

Both Kamakura and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Shanghai is around the same temperature as Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Kamakura. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Kamakura. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Shanghai is much colder than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shanghai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Kamakura during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Kamakura. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches.

In April, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 15°C (58°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Shanghai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kamakura. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Shanghai