A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Bromo vs. Kanazawa for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

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

Should I visit Mount Bromo or Kanazawa? 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.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a scenic, spectacular, and breathtaking volcano. Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a historic, cultural, and well-preserved city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Kanazawa travel costs.

Mount Bromo and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Mount Bromo and Kanazawa are both popular with visitors, Kanazawa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kanazawa is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Mount Bromo is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mount Bromo is popular for its sunrise views and scenic setting. Kanazawa is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also home to Kenroku-en Garden.

How is Mount Bromo different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a great city for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Kanazawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kanazawa is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kanazawa. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

Kanazawa is a popular place for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Kanazawa has a few options to choose from. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Mount Bromo does not have a historic old town.

Kanazawa is a good destination for visiting its old town. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Mount Bromo does not have a historic old town.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is great for hiking. However, Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Mount Bromo for the hiking trails. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Kanazawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a great city for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kanazawa. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mount Bromo or Kanazawa.

Mount Bromo offers lots of family activities. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Kanazawa is a family-friendly place to visit. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

Mount Bromo is great for romance. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Mount Bromo is a great volcano if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Mount Bromo and Kanazawa are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mount Bromo. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Kanazawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Mount Bromo is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kanazawa. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Mount Bromo is not popular with students.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kanazawa is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

While Kanazawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Mount Bromo or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Kanazawa is a great city for its walkability. Also, Mount Bromo is not as popular, but is still a nice volcano for its high level of walkability.

Kanazawa is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

Mount Bromo is a somewhat walkable place. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

For even more information, also check out Is Mount Bromo Worth Visiting? and Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Mount Bromo?

How long in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa to fill your time. In our opinion, Kanazawa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kanazawa than Mount Bromo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanazawa than Mount Bromo 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 Kanazawa.

One day in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

The beautiful volcano of Mount Bromo offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

Mount Bromo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this volcano makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mount Bromo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Kanazawa. This 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.

Five days in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

Mount Bromo 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.

The cultural city of Kanazawa 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.

A week in Mount Bromo or Kanazawa?

Mount Bromo 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 volcano offers something for everyone.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

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

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