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

Should you visit Nagano or Glasgow?

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 Glasgow 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 traditional, alpine, and scenic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a high energy, friendly, and cultural 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 Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Glasgow?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Glasgow. While Glasgow is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, food, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Glasgow is known for its nightlife and music. Nagano is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple. Glasgow is popular for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

How is Nagano different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Skiing?

Nagano is great for skiing. However, Glasgow is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. 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.

Glasgow is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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 Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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

Nagano is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nagano has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

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

Glasgow is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow Better for Music?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Glasgow is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Glasgow is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Both Nagano and Glasgow have good historic old towns worth visiting.

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.

Glasgow offers a nice historic old town area. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Hiking?

Nagano is great for hiking. However, Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. 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.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Glasgow?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nagano and Glasgow both offer plenty of good 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 Glasgow to go shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Families?

Nagano is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nagano. 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.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Glasgow are good 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.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Glasgow are good 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 Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Nagano or Glasgow Better for Students?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

Glasgow 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 Glasgow can get you around easily. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

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 Glasgow a more walkable city?

Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is a very walkable city. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored 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 Glasgow Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagano and Glasgow. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glasgow.

Families should spend more time in Nagano than Glasgow. 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.

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

One day in Nagano or Glasgow?

In Nagano, you'll find shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

A weekend in Nagano or Glasgow?

In Nagano, you'll find museums and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagano has to offer.

Glasgow 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 Glasgow?

Nagano is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Nagano. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy destination of Glasgow. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Glasgow?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

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 Glasgow in the Summer?

Both Glasgow and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nagano is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Glasgow averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Glasgow during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Glasgow. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Glasgow in the Autumn?

Both Glasgow and Nagano during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

In October, Nagano is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Glasgow. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Glasgow in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Glasgow. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. Nagano is cooler than Glasgow in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Glasgow. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Glasgow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Glasgow. Many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Glasgow in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Nagano is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Glasgow averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Glasgow. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Nagano