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

Should you visit Jakarta or Nagasaki?

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 Nagasaki. 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 diverse, genuine, and sprawling city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Jakarta travel costs.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a welcoming, interesting, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Nagasaki travel costs.

Jakarta and Nagasaki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jakarta or Nagasaki?

You'll generally find more things to do in Jakarta than Nagasaki. Jakarta is bigger than Nagasaki, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Jakarta is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Nagasaki is more popular for its nightlife. Nagasaki is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. Also, Jakarta is famous for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Jakarta different from Nagasaki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Nagasaki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Nagasaki Peace Park is a moving tribute to those lost during the atomic bomb attack. Other sights around town include the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Kofukuji Temple, and Huis Ten Bosch.

Is the Food Better in Jakarta or Nagasaki? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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 Nagasaki. The city has a cosmopolitan cuisine which has been influenced by China and several Western cuisines. Popular local dishes include Chanpon (a noodle dish), Sara Udon (meat, vegetables, and noodles), and Kakuni Manju (pork belly on a dough bun).

Is Jakarta or Nagasaki Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Nagasaki has something for everybody. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

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 the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Nagasaki?

Jakarta is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jakarta. 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.

Nagasaki is a great destination for shopping. Head to the waterfront for the best shopping opportunities. You'll find everything from malls to souvenir shops around town. You'll also find traditional market streets which are known as shōtengai.

Is Jakarta or Nagasaki Better for Families?

Both Jakarta and Nagasaki are notable 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.

Nagasaki is a family-friendly place to visit. Check out Agiruno Oka Park, which has a small farm and other recreational activities. There are also several kid-friendly museums like the Nagasaki City Science Museum and the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium. There are also many parks and playgrounds as well as the Nagasaki Seaside Park.

Is Jakarta or Nagasaki Better for Couples?

Jakarta and Nagasaki both notable destinations for a couple.

Jakarta is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Nagasaki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a unique cuisine with good restaurants. There are also many parks where couples can take a stroll, as well as relaxing hot springs nearby.

Is Jakarta or Nagasaki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Jakarta and Nagasaki are notable 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 Nagasaki. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

Is Jakarta or Nagasaki Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagasaki is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

Public transit in Nagasaki is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

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 Nagasaki a more walkable city?

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

Nagasaki is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city can be explored by foot. The downtown is about a kilometer from Nagasaki Station and the Peace Park is several kilometers in the other direction from the station.

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 Nagasaki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagasaki or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Nagasaki?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jakarta and Nagasaki. In our opinion, Nagasaki has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nagasaki than Jakarta. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nagasaki.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki.

One day in Jakarta or Nagasaki?

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 Nagasaki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Jakarta or Nagasaki?

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 Nagasaki, 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 Nagasaki has to offer.

Five days in Jakarta or Nagasaki?

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.

Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki?

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 Nagasaki. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nagasaki. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Nagasaki, we can see that Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Nagasaki?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nagasaki. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Nagasaki, 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.