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

Should you visit Nagano or Edinburgh?

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 Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a ancient, charming, and character-filled 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. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Nagano and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Edinburgh?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Nagano. Edinburgh is bigger than Nagano, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Nagano is more popular for its skiing, food, resorts, and hiking. Edinburgh is more touristy than Nagano and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Nagano is well known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

How is Nagano different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Edinburgh Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is not a skiing destination.

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

Edinburgh is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Is Nagano or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Nagano is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Nagano is not a theatre destination.

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

Nagano is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Nagano or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Edinburgh offers plenty to do in the evening. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Nagano or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is terrific for its live music scene. However, Nagano is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or Edinburgh Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

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

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 Edinburgh Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

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.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Edinburgh?

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

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Edinburgh are great 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.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Is Nagano or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Edinburgh is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh Better for Students?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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 Edinburgh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagano and Edinburgh 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. .

Edinburgh has a few public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Nagano or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Edinburgh?

In either Nagano or Edinburgh, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

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

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

One day in Nagano or Edinburgh?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh?

You'll find nightlife and food around the alpine 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.

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the alpine 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 Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the ancient destination of Edinburgh. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nagano or Edinburgh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Edinburgh. The summer months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking, 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 Edinburgh this time of year.

Nagano is much warmer than Edinburgh in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Edinburgh. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nagano is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Edinburgh. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Edinburgh in the Winter?

Both Edinburgh and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. In January, Nagano is generally cooler than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Edinburgh in the Spring?

Both Edinburgh and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nagano in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Nagano is much warmer than Edinburgh in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Edinburgh. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Nagano