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

Should you visit Nagano or Baltimore?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Baltimore 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a historic, traditional, and alpine 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.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Baltimore?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Nagano than Baltimore. While Baltimore is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, resorts, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Baltimore is more popular for its shopping. Nagano is well known 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. Baltimore is well known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities.

How is Nagano different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Skiing?

Nagano is well known for winter skiing. However, Baltimore 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.

Baltimore is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagano or Baltimore?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nagano and Baltimore.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Baltimore. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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

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

Nagano has a huge number of terrific 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.

Dining out in Baltimore is an experience not to be missed. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find superb options in both Nagano and Baltimore.

The nightlife in Nagano has something for everybody. 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.

Baltimore offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Resorts?

Nagano is very good for its resorts. However, Baltimore is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Baltimore is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is very good for its old town. However, Baltimore 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.

Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Hiking?

Nagano is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Nagano. 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.

Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Baltimore?

Baltimore is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Baltimore is well-known for its shopping. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. 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.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Baltimore are superb to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nagano is very family-friendly. 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.

Baltimore is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Baltimore are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nagano makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Baltimore are notable places to visit.

Nagano is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Plenty of backpackers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Nagano or Baltimore Better for Students?

Nagano is very good for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Baltimore can get you around easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Nagano has a few 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 Nagano or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Baltimore is a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Baltimore?

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

Families should spend more time in Nagano than Baltimore. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nagano than Baltimore 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 Nagano or Baltimore?

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the city of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagano has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Baltimore. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagano or Baltimore?

You'll find nightlife and food around the traditional destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Baltimore 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.

Five days in Nagano or Baltimore?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic city of Nagano. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. 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.

A week in Nagano or Baltimore?

Nagano is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Baltimore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Baltimore, 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 Nagano or Baltimore?

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 Nagano or Baltimore in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Baltimore. Many visitors come to Nagano in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Baltimore in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Baltimore. Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Baltimore. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Nagano is a little warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Baltimore averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagano or Baltimore in the Winter?

Both Baltimore and Nagano during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Nagano because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

It's quite cold in Baltimore in the winter. The weather in Nagano can be very cold. In January, Nagano is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Baltimore. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Baltimore. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Baltimore. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Baltimore for the activities around the city.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Baltimore in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nagano usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Nagano