A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nagano vs. Kamakura for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Nagano or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura 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 alpine, scenic, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Nagano and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Kamakura?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagano than Kamakura. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nagano is very popular for its skiing, resorts, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Kamakura attracts visitors for its beaches. Nagano is famous for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also well known for Zenko-ji Temple. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches.

How is Nagano different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Kamakura is not a skiing destination.

Nagano is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other 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.

Kamakura is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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 Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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

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

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 Kamakura is an experience not to be missed. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Kamakura offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a popular place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for the beache. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kamakura. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Both Nagano and Kamakura have nice 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.

Kamakura offers a nice historic old town area. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its hiking trails.

Nagano is a popular spot for hiking. 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 Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Kamakura?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nagano and Kamakura both offer plenty of nice 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 Kamakura to go shopping. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Families?

Nagano is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nagano is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Kamakura is a family-friendly city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Couples?

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

Kamakura is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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 Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Kamakura are nice 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 Kamakura. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Nagano or Kamakura Better for Students?

Nagano is a popular place for students. However, Kamakura is not popular with students.

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.

Kamakura is not popular with students.

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

Nagano and Kamakura both offer nice 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. .

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Nagano or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Nagano and Kamakura are nice 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.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable city. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nagano or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nagano than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

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

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 Kamakura. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nagano or Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura 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 Kamakura?

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 Kamakura. 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 Kamakura?

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 quaint destination of Kamakura. This coastal 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 Bicycle Tours in Japan, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagano and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Kamakura?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?

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 Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura and Nagano during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nagano is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 25°C (77°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In the summer, Nagano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kamakura. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun.

Kamakura 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 July than Kamakura. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Kamakura. 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. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Nagano is cooler than Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagano or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Kamakura. 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 Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagano can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nagano is much colder than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagano in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nagano this time of the year. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Kamakura. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In April, Nagano is generally cooler than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 11°C (52°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. In April, Nagano usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Nagano