A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jakarta vs. Kamakura for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Jakarta or Kamakura?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Kamakura. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a friendly, diverse, and genuine city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Jakarta travel costs.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Kamakura travel costs.

Jakarta and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jakarta or Kamakura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jakarta than Kamakura, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Jakarta is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Kamakura is known for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and hiking. Kamakura is more touristy than Jakarta and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Jakarta is popular for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. It is also home to Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Jakarta different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jakarta or Kamakura?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Jakarta or Kamakura.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jakarta. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

Kamakura offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Jakarta or Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Jakarta and Kamakura.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Jakarta. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kamakura. 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 Jakarta or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Kamakura has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Jakarta. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.

Is Jakarta or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a good destination for its beaches. However, Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Kamakura offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Is Jakarta or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura is a good destination for visiting its old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

Is Jakarta or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a good destination for hiking. However, Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Kamakura offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Kamakura?

Jakarta is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Jakarta is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. 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.

Is Jakarta or Kamakura Better for Families?

Both Jakarta and Kamakura are good family-friendly destinations.

Jakarta offers lots of family activities. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.

Kamakura is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Jakarta or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Kamakura is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.

Is Jakarta or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Jakarta and Kamakura are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kamakura. 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 Jakarta or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kamakura is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

While Kamakura offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Public transit is generally limited in Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.

Is Jakarta or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Kamakura is a good destination for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

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

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Jakarta or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Jakarta than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

Families should spend more time in Kamakura than Jakarta. 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 Jakarta. 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 Jakarta 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 Jakarta or Kamakura?

Jakarta is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Jakarta or Kamakura?

Jakarta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jakarta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Kamakura, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Kamakura has to offer.

Five days in Jakarta or Kamakura?

Jakarta 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.

Kamakura 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.

A week in Jakarta or Kamakura?

Jakarta 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 city offers something for everyone.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jakarta 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 Jakarta.

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

Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Kamakura?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.