A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kyoto vs. Nashville for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Kyoto or Nashville?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kyoto and Nashville can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a cultural, fascinating, and traditional city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Nashville

Nashville is a southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Kyoto and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kyoto or Nashville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kyoto than Nashville. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kyoto is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Nashville attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, and resorts. Kyoto is more touristy than Nashville and is popular for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. It is also well known for Kinkaku-ji. Nashville is famous for its influence in country music and its many live music venues.

How is Kyoto different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kyoto or Nashville?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Kyoto from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. With its long-running history, there are many traditional buildings and temples in town. Nijo Castle is stunning to explore, but also make sure you visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

Is the Food Better in Kyoto or Nashville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kyoto is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kyoto. The local cuisine is as beautiful as it is delicious. There is a long running history to many of the dishes, and the recipes are expertly prepared by world class chefs at many of the restaurants. You can enjoy everything from a tea ceremony to multi-course meals, referred to as kyo kaiseki.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Nashville is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Nashville know how to have a good time. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

If you're looking for night time activities Kyoto has a few options to choose from. While it isn't known for its wild nightlife scene, there is a relaxed and active energy in the evenings here. You can visit the beautiful Arashiyama Kimono Forest or explore some of the riverfront areas such as Kamo Riverside.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Music?

Nashville is renowned for its live music scene. However, Kyoto is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Nashville The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Kyoto is not a live music destination.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a city with good options for its resorts. However, Kyoto is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nashville makes a nice vacation spot. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Kyoto is not a resort destination.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for its Old Town?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Nashville does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Kyoto is revered around the world. This is among the most historic cities in Japan and there are many traditional buildings and temples. Higashiyama is filled with interesting districts and it has many UNESCO World Heritage temples.

Nashville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kyoto or Nashville?

Kyoto is a very popular place for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kyoto. There's a mix of modern shopping venues and traditional boutiques. Shijo Street is a popular shopping area, as is the area around JR Kyoto Station.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a city with good options for its Christmas activities. However, Kyoto does not offer Christmas activities.

Nashville offers some nice Christmas activities. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Kyoto does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Families?

Kyoto is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Kyoto is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy exploring Nijo Castle as much as adults. If the weather isn't great, you can head to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which is a bit like a library and is perfect for Manga fans. There are also markets to explore such as the Nishiki Markets, which are lined with shops and restaurants.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Couples?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Kyoto is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This is one of the most historic cities in Japan, and it has many romantic neighborhoods where you can enjoy the atmosphere. Visit Sanneizaka Slope for its traditional shops and restaurants or take a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train. Other romantic highlights include Kimono Forest, which is an art exhibit, and Suzumushidera Temple.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kyoto is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Kyoto is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a popular destination in Japan and there are plenty of hostels and free activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nashville. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Students?

Kyoto is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Kyoto. It's a great student city with world class universities and a large student population.

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

Is Kyoto or Nashville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kyoto is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Visitors to Kyoto can move around easily with public transportation. The city has an extensive system of trains, subways, and buses that make it easy to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Kyoto or Nashville a more walkable city?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Kyoto. It's one of the most walkable cities in Japan and there are many sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly areas.

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Kyoto Worth Visiting? and Is Nashville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Kyoto?

How long in Kyoto or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kyoto and Nashville. In our opinion, Kyoto has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kyoto than Nashville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kyoto than Nashville 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 Kyoto.

One day in Kyoto or Nashville?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kyoto. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Nashville, many people enjoy the food and museums that this country music lovers destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Kyoto or Nashville?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Kyoto. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nashville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Kyoto or Nashville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Kyoto. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nashville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Nashville. Lots of people come for the live music. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Kyoto or Nashville?

Kyoto is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find live music and food around the eclectic destination of Nashville. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kyoto and Nashville, we can see that Nashville is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto is in Asia and Nashville is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville than you might in Kyoto.

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

Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Nashville?

Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto and Nashville, 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 Kyoto or Nashville?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kyoto or Nashville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Nashville. The summer months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

In July, Kyoto is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 27°C (81°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In the summer, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Nashville. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kyoto or Nashville in the Autumn?

Both Nashville and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Kyoto is around the same temperature as Nashville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during autumn. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In October, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Nashville. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kyoto or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Kyoto during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nashville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nashville can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kyoto. In the winter, Kyoto is a little warmer than Nashville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kyoto in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Nashville averages at about 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Kyoto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.

Kyoto usually gets less rain in January than Nashville. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kyoto or Nashville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Nashville. Many visitors come to Kyoto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nashville for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Kyoto is generally cooler than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 14°C (58°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during spring. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nashville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Nashville. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Kyoto