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

Should you visit Nagano or Dublin?

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 Dublin 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.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Nagano and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Dublin?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Nagano than Dublin. While Dublin is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, food, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Dublin is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and 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. Dublin is well known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Nagano different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Dublin Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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 Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Nagano is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Nagano. 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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Nagano or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Nagano or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is a great city for its live music scene. However, Nagano is not a live music destination.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or Dublin Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is a great city for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Dublin is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Is Nagano or Dublin Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Dublin?

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

Dublin is well-known for its shopping. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

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 Dublin Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Dublin are high quality 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.

Dublin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Nagano or Dublin Better for Couples?

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

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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 Nagano or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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

Is Nagano or Dublin Better for Students?

For students, both Nagano and Dublin are notable places to visit.

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

Dublin is a good city to visit for students. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Nagano and Dublin 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. .

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Nagano or Dublin a more walkable city?

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

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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 Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Dublin?

In either Nagano or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Nagano because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

One day in Nagano or Dublin?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dublin. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagano or Dublin?

Nagano 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.

Dublin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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 Dublin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dublin. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the alpine destination of Nagano. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the fun destination of Dublin. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Dublin. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nagano is much warmer than Dublin in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In the autumn, Nagano is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Dublin averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Dublin. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagano or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Nagano during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Dublin. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Dublin. Many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the spring for the activities around the city.

Nagano is a little warmer than Dublin in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nagano usually receives more rain than Dublin. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Nagano