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

Should you visit Kamakura or Noosa Heads?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Noosa Heads? 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 laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Kamakura travel costs.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a laid back, relaxed, and peaceful coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Noosa Heads travel costs.

Kamakura and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Noosa Heads?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura. Although Kamakura and Noosa Heads are popular destinations, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Noosa Heads attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Noosa Heads is famous for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture.

How is Kamakura different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

Is Kamakura or Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for nightlife and partying. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

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 Noosa Heads. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Kamakura or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Noosa Heads. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

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 Noosa Heads Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its old town. However, Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is a popular spot for hiking. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

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 Noosa Heads?

Both Kamakura and Noosa Heads are nice shopping destinations.

Kamakura is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Noosa Heads. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Kamakura or Noosa Heads More Beautiful?

Noosa Heads is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's stunning natural beauty, breathtaking beaches, and nearby green spaces have made this a popular holiday destination.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kamakura or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

Noosa Heads is a well-known 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.

Noosa Heads is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

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 Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Noosa Heads make for a excellent 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.

Noosa Heads makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Is Kamakura or Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

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

Both Kamakura and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads has some public transit options. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Kamakura or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is very walkable. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

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 Noosa Heads Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Kamakura or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

One day in Kamakura or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming coastal city of Kamakura. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Noosa Heads is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. 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 Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Kamakura. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Noosa Heads is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town 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 Noosa Heads, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Noosa Heads?

The charming coastal city of Kamakura offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Noosa Heads is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 Noosa Heads?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 coastal town 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Noosa Heads, we can see that Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Noosa Heads?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Noosa Heads. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kamakura is a little warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Noosa Heads. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets more rain in July than Noosa Headsin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

Both Noosa Heads and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kamakura is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin April. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

Kamakura is around the same temperature as Noosa Heads in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in July.

Kamakura usually gets less rain in January than Noosa Headsin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Noosa Heads. The beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Noosa Heads. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Kamakura