A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yamaguchi vs. Cairns for Nightlife, Hiking, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Yamaguchi or Cairns?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yamaguchi or Cairns, 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.

Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is a tranquil, scenic, and traditional town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Cairns

Cairns is a idyllic, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Yamaguchi and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yamaguchi or Cairns?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cairns. Although Yamaguchi and Cairns are about the same size, Cairns has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cairns is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Yamaguchi attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Cairns is more touristy than Yamaguchi and is known for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also well known for the Great Barrier Reef. Yamaguchi is famous for its temples, serene setting, and traditional ways.

How is Yamaguchi different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Yamaguchi is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Yamaguchi offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic shrines and temples in the area, as well as the Kintai Bridge.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

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

Both Yamaguchi and Cairns offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Yamaguchi has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cairns makes for a great culinary experience. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

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

Cairns is a world class party destination. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

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 Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Resorts?

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

Cairns is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Yamaguchi is not a resort destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Yamaguchi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Cairns specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Yamaguchi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Cairns are among the best in the world. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Known for its hiking, Cairns draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Yamaguchi or Cairns?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cairns. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Cairns is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

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 Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Couples?

Yamaguchi and Cairns are both very good to visit as a couple.

Yamaguchi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its historic temples, natural beauty, and nice green space, this is a lovely city to explore as a couple.

Couples visit Cairns frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Is Yamaguchi or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Cairns, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

Yamaguchi is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and budget-friendly accommodation options in the area.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Yamaguchi and Cairns.

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

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Yamaguchi or Cairns a more walkable city?

Yamaguchi is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Yamaguchi?

How long in Yamaguchi or Cairns?

In either Yamaguchi or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Yamaguchi because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Yamaguchi, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

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

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

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

One day in Yamaguchi or Cairns?

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

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Cairns. 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.

A weekend in Yamaguchi or Cairns?

Yamaguchi 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the adventure-filled destination of Cairns. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Yamaguchi or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yamaguchi. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the tropical city of Cairns. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Yamaguchi or Cairns?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Yamaguchi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Cairns 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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yamaguchi and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Yamaguchi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yamaguchi is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Yamaguchi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yamaguchi 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns than you might in Yamaguchi.

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

Which is Bigger, Yamaguchi or Cairns?

Cairns has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Yamaguchi. When comparing the sizes of Yamaguchi and Cairns, 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 Yamaguchi or Cairns?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yamaguchi has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Cairns in the Summer?

Both Cairns and Yamaguchi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Yamaguchi in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Yamaguchi is cooler than Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Yamaguchi averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Yamaguchi. In July, Yamaguchi usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Yamaguchi gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Cairns in the Autumn?

Both Cairns and Yamaguchi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Yamaguchi for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Yamaguchi is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yamaguchi in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Yamaguchi usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Yamaguchi gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Cairns in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yamaguchi and Cairns. The winter months attract visitors to Yamaguchi because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

In January, Yamaguchi is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Yamaguchi average around 6°C (42°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In January, Yamaguchi usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Yamaguchi gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Cairns in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yamaguchi as well as Cairns. The natural beauty are the main draw to Yamaguchi this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.

Yamaguchi is much colder than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Yamaguchi averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

Yamaguchi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yamaguchi usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Yamaguchi gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Yamaguchi