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

Should you visit Kamakura or Christchurch?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Christchurch? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a charming, laid back, and ancient coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Kamakura travel costs.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Christchurch is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Christchurch travel costs.

Kamakura and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Christchurch?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Kamakura than Christchurch. While Christchurch is larger than Kamakura, Kamakura has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its historical sights, while Christchurch attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is more touristy than Christchurch and is known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere.

How is Kamakura different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Kamakura and Christchurch have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Many visitors head to Christchurch specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Is the Food Better in Kamakura or Christchurch? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Christchurch can be an enjoyable experience.

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.

Christchurch has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

Both Kamakura and Christchurch are high quality when it comes to partying.

Kamakura offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Christchurch has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beach.

Christchurch is considered a top beach destination. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Many people head to Kamakura to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a popular place for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kamakura to see the old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its hiking trails.

Christchurch is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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 Kamakura or Christchurch?

Christchurch 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.

Christchurch is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

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 Kamakura or Christchurch More Beautiful?

Christchurch is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Christchurch is a gorgeous place to visit. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Christchurch is a very family-friendly destination. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Kamakura is a family-friendly coastal city. 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 Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Christchurch make for a high quality place to visit.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Christchurch makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Christchurch. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Students?

Christchurch is a well-known place for students. However, Kamakura is not popular with students.

Christchurch is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Kamakura is not popular with students.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Kamakura and Christchurch offer nice public transit options.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Christchurch has some public transit options. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Kamakura or Christchurch a more walkable city?

Christchurch is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Christchurch is very walkable. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Christchurch?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kamakura or Christchurch?

In Kamakura, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this ancient coastal city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.

The city of Christchurch offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kamakura or Christchurch?

Kamakura is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Christchurch 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Christchurch, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Christchurch?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Kamakura. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Christchurch 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.

A week in Kamakura or Christchurch?

Kamakura is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Christchurch is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Christchurch, we can see that Kamakura 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. Even though Kamakura is in Asia and Christchurch is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Christchurch?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Christchurch, 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 Kamakura or Christchurch?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Kamakura has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kamakura or Christchurch in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Christchurch. The summer months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

In the summer, Kamakura is a little warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Christchurch averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during summer. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Christchurchin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kamakura or Christchurch in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Christchurch. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kamakura is generally a little warmer than Christchurchin April. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin April. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kamakura usually gets more rain in October than Christchurchin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Christchurch in the Winter?

Both Christchurch and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Christchurch in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Kamakura usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during winter. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Christchurchin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kamakura or Christchurch in the Spring?

Both Christchurch and Kamakura during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kamakura is a little warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin October. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in April than Christchurchin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Kamakura