A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yamaguchi vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Yamaguchi or Rotorua?

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

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

Rotorua

Rotorua is a cultural, natural, and world-renowned town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Yamaguchi and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yamaguchi or Rotorua?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rotorua than Yamaguchi. While Yamaguchi is larger than Rotorua, Rotorua has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rotorua is more touristy than Yamaguchi and is known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. It is also well known for Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Yamaguchi is famous for its temples, serene setting, and traditional ways.

How is Yamaguchi different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Both Yamaguchi and Rotorua offer a number of high quality 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, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Yamaguchi or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Rotorua is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Yamaguchi is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

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 Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

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 Rotorua?

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

Rotorua has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Couples visit Yamaguchi frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its historic temples, natural beauty, and nice green space, this is a lovely city to explore as a couple.

Is Yamaguchi or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Yamaguchi or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Yamaguchi and Rotorua are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Yamaguchi?

How long in Yamaguchi or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Yamaguchi and Rotorua. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rotorua than in Yamaguchi. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Yamaguchi, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

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

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

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

One day in Yamaguchi or Rotorua?

In Yamaguchi, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Rotorua?

In Yamaguchi, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Yamaguchi has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Yamaguchi or Rotorua?

Yamaguchi is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the world-renowned town of Rotorua. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Yamaguchi or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yamaguchi. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Yamaguchi. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yamaguchi and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Yamaguchi or Rotorua?

Yamaguchi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Yamaguchi and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

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

Yamaguchi is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Yamaguchi averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Yamaguchi. In July, Yamaguchi usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Yamaguchi gets 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua and Yamaguchi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Yamaguchi for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Yamaguchi is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yamaguchi in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Yamaguchi usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Yamaguchi gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Rotorua in the Winter?

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

In January, Yamaguchi is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Yamaguchi average around 6°C (42°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In January, Yamaguchi usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Yamaguchi gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Yamaguchi or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yamaguchi as well as Rotorua. Most visitors come to Yamaguchi for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

Yamaguchi is cooler than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Yamaguchi averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

Yamaguchi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yamaguchi usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Yamaguchi gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Yamaguchi