Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or Hualien?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hualien or Kamakura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien 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.
Where Should I go: Hualien or Kamakura?
Hualien
If you're looking for hustle and bustle, head to Taipei. If you're looking for fresh air and the prettiest town by the sea, Hualien is the place to be. With many national parks to explore, cliffs and mountains to climb and beaches to get some rest and relaxation, there's plenty to do, especially for nature lovers and those who crave peace and quiet, away from the bigger cities in Taiwan.
Kamakura
An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Hualien Prices
Taiwan PricesKamakura Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHualien $136Kamakura $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $136, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $123. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hualien and Kamakura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHualien $60Kamakura $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHualien $120Kamakura $156
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Kamakura
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Kamakura? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kamakura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hualien $29Kamakura $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $280
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Hualien or Kamakura?
Prices for flights to both Kamakura and Hualien change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHualien $56Kamakura $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kamakura
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kamakura.
- Sushi Roll Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Community Dinner with Locals: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hualien $21Kamakura $5.79
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $43
- Taroko, Qingshui Cliff, Xincheng Old Street & Qixingtan Day Tour: $80
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Exclusive Private Taroko Gorge Day Tour with Local English Guide: $121
- 2025 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $130
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
- Liyu Lake, Sugar Factory, and Ruisui Ranch Tour: $320
Tours and Activities in Kamakura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:
- Ofuna Kannon Temple and Japanese Sweets Tour: $27
- Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in Kamakura: $37
- Walking Tour through the City of Samurai: $44
- Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $47
- Kamakura (Ofuna) : Ramen Crawl Tour with a Local Guide: $51
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu & Komachi Street Tour: $51
- Visit Daibutsu and shopping experience: $52
- Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $54
- Night Izakaya Bar Hopping Tour: $57
- Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $57
- Customized Half-Day Tour with Local Guide: $59
- Kamakura:Largest Wooden Buddha, Temples, Cultural Experience: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHualien $15Kamakura $14
When comparing the travel costs between Hualien and Kamakura, we can see that Hualien 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 Hualien Expensive? and Is Kamakura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hualien or Kamakura?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Hualien 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.