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

Should you visit Nagano or Canberra?

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 Canberra 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 scenic, historic, and traditional 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. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Nagano and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Canberra?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagano. Although Nagano and Canberra are about the same size, Nagano has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nagano is more touristy than Canberra and is 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. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Nagano different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Skiing?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Canberra is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Nagano. 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.

Canberra is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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 Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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

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

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 Canberra is an experience not to be missed. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nagano has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra 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.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for its Old Town?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nagano. 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.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Canberra?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nagano and Canberra both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nagano. 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.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Canberra are excellent 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.

Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Canberra 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.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagano is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

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

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Nagano or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

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.

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

Nagano and Canberra both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Nagano offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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. .

Canberra has a few public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Nagano or Canberra a more walkable city?

Nagano and Canberra are notable when it comes to walkability.

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.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Canberra?

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

Families should spend more time in Nagano than Canberra. 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 Canberra. 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 Canberra 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 Canberra?

The beautiful city of Nagano offers museums and skiing. 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.

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

A weekend in Nagano or Canberra?

Nagano 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nagano, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra 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 Canberra?

Nagano 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.

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

Nagano 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 city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Canberra. 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 Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Canberra?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Canberra, 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 Canberra?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nagano has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nagano or Canberra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Canberra. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nagano is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Canberra. Many visitors come to Nagano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Nagano is around the same temperature as Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Canberra. Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Canberrain April. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagano can be very cold during winter. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Canberrain July. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

Nagano is cooler than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.

Nagano usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Canberrain October. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Nagano