A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Nagano for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Da Nang or Nagano?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Nagano? 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.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a authentic, coastal, and accessible city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano

Nagano is a alpine, scenic, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Da Nang and Nagano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Nagano?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Nagano than Da Nang. While Da Nang is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, museums, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Nagano is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Also, Nagano is famous for Zenko-ji Temple. Da Nang is well known for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Nagano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Da Nang is not a skiing destination.

People head to Nagano specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Da Nang is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Nagano?

Nagano is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Nagano offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Da Nang. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Is the Food Better in Da Nang or Nagano? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Da Nang and Nagano.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Da Nang. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

Nagano has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Nightlife?

Both Da Nang and Nagano are excellent when it comes to partying.

Da Nang offers plenty to do in the evening. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Nagano has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is a great city for its luxury resorts. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

In Da Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Beaches?

Da Nang is a city with good options for the beache. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Da Nang. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a popular place for its old town. However, Da Nang does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Nagano to see the old town. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Da Nang does not have a historic old town.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Nagano is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Nagano?

Nagano is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Nagano offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Da Nang or Nagano.

Da Nang is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nagano. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Couples?

Da Nang is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Da Nang is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Da Nang and Nagano are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Da Nang. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Nagano is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Students?

Nagano is a popular place for students. However, Da Nang is not popular with students.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Da Nang is not popular with students.

Is Da Nang or Nagano Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Da Nang and Nagano offer notable public transit options.

Da Nang has a few public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Nagano has some public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Da Nang or Nagano a more walkable city?

Nagano is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Da Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Nagano Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagano or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Nagano?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Da Nang and Nagano. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nagano than in Da Nang. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 1-3 days is enough time in Nagano.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nagano than Da Nang 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 Nagano.

One day in Da Nang or Nagano?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Nagano, you'll find shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This 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 Da Nang or Nagano?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Nagano, you'll find museums and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagano has to offer.

Five days in Da Nang or Nagano?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nagano is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Da Nang or Nagano?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Da Nang. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Nagano. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Nagano?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Nagano, 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 Da Nang or Nagano?

Nagano has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Nagano in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Nagano. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Da Nang is a little warmer than Nagano in the summer. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Da Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Da Nang often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Da Nang usually gets less rain in July than Nagano. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. August to December in Da Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Nagano in the Autumn?

Both Nagano and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Da Nang is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Da Nang in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Nagano averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Da Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano during autumn. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. It's quite rainy in Da Nang. In October, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Nagano. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Da Nang is August to December.

Should I visit Da Nang or Nagano in the Winter?

Both Nagano and Da Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. In January, Da Nang is generally much warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 22°C (71°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Nagano. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually gets less rain in January than Nagano. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain this time of the year. January to July is the dry season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Nagano in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Nagano. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Da Nang is much warmer than Nagano in the spring. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Da Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during spring. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Nagano. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Da Nang