A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Kaikoura for Families, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Atami or Kaikoura?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Kaikoura can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Atami travel costs.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a unique, nature-oriented, and biologically diverse town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Kaikoura travel costs.

Atami and Kaikoura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Kaikoura?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kaikoura than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kaikoura is better known for its food, beaches, and hiking, while Atami is more popular for its museums and attractions. Kaikoura is more touristy than Atami and is popular for its local Sperm Whale population, abundance of marine life, and local crayfish (lobster) recipes. Also, Kaikoura is famous for its whale watching trips. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Kaikoura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Kaikoura?

Atami is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Kaikoura is not a good town for its museums and history.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

While most people don't head to Kaikoura specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There aren't many museums in the area, but it's worth learning more about the region's history with a visit to Kaikoura Museum.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Kaikoura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kaikoura is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kaikoura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Seafood lovers will be in heaven in this town! There are many local, freshly caught favorites such as cod, mussels, and crayfish (which is actually lobster). You'll find plenty of casual eateries, including an authentic American diner.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Atami or Kaikoura Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Atami and Kaikoura.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Kaikoura has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. This is a small town so the nightlife scene is limited, but there are a few restaurants with bars around town.

Is Atami or Kaikoura Better for Beaches?

Kaikoura is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches at Kaikoura attract visitors from all over. There are many black pebble beaches in the area, which are great for wildlife spotting, but not so good for swimming. Gooch's Beach is one of the most popular, and it's sandier than many of the other beaches. South Bay is another popular area to visit.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Atami or Kaikoura Better for Hiking?

Kaikoura is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Kaikoura. There are many coastal walks in the area that will take you through a variety of landscapes. This is also a great way to see the many diverse types of wildlife throughout the peninsula.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Kaikoura?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Atami and Kaikoura.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Many visitors go to Kaikoura to go shopping. There are local shops where you can pick up some interesting products that are unique to the area.

Is Atami or Kaikoura Better for Families?

Kaikoura is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Kaikoura is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Kids who love animals will appreciate all of the wildlife in the area. This is one of the best places in the country to see dolphins, whales, and seals. There are world class whale watching trips as well as opportunities to swim with the dolphins and get close to the seals. There is also kayaking, a coastal train, and even sheep shearing. Minigolf is also a fun activity in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Atami or Kaikoura Better for Couples?

Kaikoura is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Kaikoura makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town is all about wildlife, so if whale watching trips, dolphin spotting, and experiencing amazing local wildlife is your thing, then this is your spot! There are also beautiful coastal sights with a dramatic mountain backdrop.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Kaikoura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kaikoura is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Kaikoura. There are a decent number of hostels in the area and plenty of fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Atami or Kaikoura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kaikoura is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is quite limited in Kaikoura. The town is very small and there is no real public transit in the area.

Is Atami or Kaikoura a more walkable city?

Atami and Kaikoura are notable when it comes to walkability.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Kaikoura is a somewhat walkable town. There are many coastal walks in the area, which is a great way to soak up the beauty and see the wildlife. The town itself is small and most of the accommodation is along Beach Road, so it's relatively easy to reach places on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Kaikoura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kaikoura or Atami?

How long in Atami or Kaikoura?

It's fun to spend time in either Atami or Kaikoura. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kaikoura due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kaikoura.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kaikoura than Atami 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 Kaikoura.

One day in Atami or Kaikoura?

The town of Atami 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.

In Kaikoura, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this nature-oriented destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atami or Kaikoura?

Atami 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 Atami, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kaikoura. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Kaikoura?

Atami 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.

Kaikoura is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kaikoura. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Kaikoura?

Atami 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the biologically diverse destination of Kaikoura. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atami and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Atami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Atami is in Asia and Kaikoura 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 Atami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atami 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura than you might in Atami.

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

Which is Bigger, Atami or Kaikoura?

Atami has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Kaikoura, 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.