A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Yamaguchi vs. Kamakura for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yamaguchi or Kamakura, 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 serene, tranquil, and scenic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a quaint, charming, and laid back coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Yamaguchi and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura. Although Yamaguchi and Kamakura are roughly the same size, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is better known for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Yamaguchi is more popular for its impressive beauty. Kamakura is more touristy than Yamaguchi and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Also, Kamakura is famous for the Great Buddha. Yamaguchi is well known for its temples, serene setting, and traditional ways.

How is Yamaguchi different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Kamakura and Yamaguchi.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yamaguchi can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic shrines and temples in the area, as well as the Kintai Bridge.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kamakura. 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 Yamaguchi or Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Yamaguchi and Kamakura 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, Kamakura makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Yamaguchi or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Yamaguchi is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Kamakura has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

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 Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

Kamakura has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Yamaguchi does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura has an old town worth visiting. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Yamaguchi does not have a historic old town.

Is Yamaguchi or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Yamaguchi and Kamakura are both places where visitors can find notable hiking trails.

Yamaguchi has hiking trails worth exploring. There are hiking and walking trails throughout the prefecture so that you can energy the natural setting.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamakura. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kamakura has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Kamakura Better for Families?

Yamaguchi and Kamakura are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Yamaguchi is a family-friendly town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kamakura. 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 Yamaguchi or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Yamaguchi and Kamakura 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 Kamakura frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Yamaguchi or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yamaguchi and Kamakura are both notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yamaguchi. There are a couple of hostels and budget-friendly accommodation options in the area.

Kamakura is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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 Yamaguchi or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Yamaguchi and Kamakura.

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

You'll find some public transit in Kamakura, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Yamaguchi or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Yamaguchi and Kamakura are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Yamaguchi?

How long in Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Yamaguchi or Kamakura to fill your time. In our opinion, Kamakura has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kamakura than Yamaguchi. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

The beautiful town of Yamaguchi offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Kamakura. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

Yamaguchi 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Yamaguchi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Kamakura. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

Yamaguchi 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint coastal city of Kamakura. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

Yamaguchi 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 town offers something for everyone.

Kamakura is a popular choice for travelers. 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yamaguchi and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Yamaguchi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Yamaguchi. When comparing the sizes of Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi or Kamakura?

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 Yamaguchi or Kamakura in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Yamaguchi as well as Kamakura. Many visitors come to Yamaguchi in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Yamaguchi is around the same temperature as Kamakura. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yamaguchi in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Kamakura averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Yamaguchi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yamaguchi usually gets more rain in July than Kamakura. Yamaguchi gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Kamakura in the Autumn?

Both Kamakura and Yamaguchi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Yamaguchi for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Yamaguchi is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Yamaguchi average around 19°C (65°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. In October, Yamaguchi usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Yamaguchi gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Kamakura in the Winter?

Both Kamakura and Yamaguchi during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Yamaguchi because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

Yamaguchi is around the same temperature as Kamakura in the winter. The daily temperature in Yamaguchi averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Yamaguchi usually gets more rain in January than Kamakura. Yamaguchi gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yamaguchi and Kamakura. The natural beauty are the main draw to Yamaguchi this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches.

In the spring, Yamaguchi is around the same temperature as Kamakura. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yamaguchi in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Kamakura averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yamaguchi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yamaguchi usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Yamaguchi gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Yamaguchi