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

Should you visit Shanghai or Kobe?

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 Kobe. 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 modern, cosmopolitan, and professional port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Shanghai attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Shanghai travel costs.

Kobe

Kobe is a multicultural, quaint, and subdued city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Kobe travel costs.

Shanghai and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Kobe?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Shanghai than Kobe, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Shanghai is more touristy than Kobe and is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also home to The Bund. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Shanghai different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kobe 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 Kobe?

Shanghai is an amazing port city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Shanghai has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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

Shanghai is an amazing port city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Shanghai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kobe makes for a great culinary experience. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Is Shanghai or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Shanghai and Kobe.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Kobe?

Shanghai is an amazing port city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Shanghai specifically to go shopping. 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.

Kobe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Is Shanghai or Kobe More Beautiful?

Shanghai is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Shanghai attracts visitors from all around. Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.

Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Shanghai or Kobe Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Shanghai. 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.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Shanghai or Kobe Better for Couples?

Shanghai is an amazing port city to visit for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Shanghai is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Shanghai or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Is Shanghai or Kobe Better for Students?

Shanghai is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

Many students visit Shanghai. 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.

Kobe is not popular with students.

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

Shanghai is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Shanghai. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Kobe has a few public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Shanghai or Kobe a more walkable city?

Shanghai is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

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

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Kobe?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Shanghai or Kobe to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Shanghai than Kobe 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 Kobe.

Families should spend more time in Shanghai than Kobe. 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 Kobe. 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 Kobe 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 Kobe?

Shanghai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Kobe 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 Kobe?

Shanghai 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.

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

Five days in Shanghai or Kobe?

Shanghai is a bustling big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Kobe 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 Kobe?

The bustling port city of Shanghai 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.

Kobe 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 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 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Shanghai and Kobe, 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 Kobe Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Kobe?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Kobe, 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 Kobe?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Shanghai or Kobe in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Kobe. The summer months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.

In the summer, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Kobe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Kobe averages at about 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shanghai this time of the year. In the summer, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets less rain in July than Kobe. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Kobe in the Autumn?

Both Kobe and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Kobe. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Shanghai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kobe during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Kobe. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shanghai or Kobe in the Winter?

Both Kobe and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Kobe in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shanghai. Shanghai is cooler than Kobe in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Shanghai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kobe. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 140 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than Kobe. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Kobe in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Kobe. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Kobe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Kobe averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Kobe during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Kobe. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kobe and Shanghai