A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Koh Tao for Backpackers, Food, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Nagano or Koh Tao?

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 Koh Tao 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. 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.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a laid back, mellow, and beautiful island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Nagano and Koh Tao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Koh Tao?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nagano than Koh Tao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nagano is better known for its skiing, museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while Koh Tao is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. 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. Koh Tao is well known for its affordable scuba diving courses, laid-back island vibe, popularity with backpackers, and stunning island hikes.

How is Nagano different from Koh Tao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Skiing?

Nagano is great for skiing. However, Koh Tao 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.

Koh Tao is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagano or Koh Tao?

Nagano is great for its historical sights. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nagano can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Koh Tao offers a few options for museum-goers. It's a small island that is all about beachfront beauty. Most visitors enjoy the island's outdoor paradise setting, but on those rainy afternoons, there really are very few indoor activities or temples to visit.

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

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

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 Koh Tao is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a huge ex-pat community on the island, and with them they bring a variety of international cuisines. There are also local establishments that sell the typical Thai dishes with lots of seafood, curries, and noodle dishes. It's fun to enjoy a beachside restaurant that lets you sit right by the water looking off into a tropical paradise.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both Nagano and Koh Tao.

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.

Koh Tao offers plenty to do in the evening. While most people head for the island for its scuba diving, when the sun goes down everyone heads to the beach to party. The island has a very active nightlife scene with its own Full Moon Parties, dance clubs, beachside bars, and more. Head to Sairee Beach for the most active nightlife and entertainment options.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Resorts?

Koh Tao is a great island for its luxury resorts. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

In Koh Tao, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. While it's mostly famous as a diving destination, there are also a diversity of resorts, from luxury to affordable, available on the island. The beaches are beautiful and many resorts offer scuba diving packages as well.

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

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Tao is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Tao is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is Thailand's most famous scuba diving destination for it's affordable certifications and prolific dive shops. There are a variety of dive sites near the island, but with fame and popularity come challenges. The coral and sealife is feeling the pressure of the high number of tourists, and the reefs show their damage. But the training you receive here is affordable and well-established.

Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Beaches?

Koh Tao is terrific for the beache. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

Koh Tao is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The white sand beaches have a mellow vibe with beautiful blue waters. This is a true tropical paradise with beachside cafes, easy snorkeling, and warm water. The beaches range from quiet and isolated to high energy and vibrant.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Koh Tao 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.

Koh Tao does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Hiking?

Both Nagano and Koh Tao are destinations which offer high quality hiking.

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.

Koh Tao is a popular spot for hiking. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the inland beauty of the island. There are paths that take you through the jungle covered land to viewpoints and remote areas. Many paths are rustic and not always well maintained so it's helpful to ask a local for directions beforehand.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Koh Tao?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nagano and Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao to go shopping. The main beach areas of Mae Haad, Sairee, and Chalok Baan Kao have the highest concentration of clothing and dive equipment shops. Because it's an island with limited access, prices can be a bit high.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Families?

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

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.

Koh Tao is a family-friendly place to visit. The island is popular for its affordable scuba diving certifications, so there are a number of options for families with older kids who'd like to get certified. It's also a more laid back and smaller island than some nearby places, so it's possible to find quiet beaches where your family can relax. Some of the quieter beaches include Sai Nuan and Ao Luek. You'll still find a large number of backpackers on the island, but there's a more chill atmosphere with most visitors focused on scuba diving and exploring.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao Better for Couples?

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

Koh Tao is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. This laid back island offers a relaxing honeymoon destination for couples who want to learn to scuba dive and enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. There are beachside restaurants, beautiful blue waters, white sand, and everything you need for your own piece of paradise.

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 Koh Tao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tao 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, Koh Tao is extremely popular for backpackers. The island is an oasis for backpackers who want to enjoy the mellow island life, learn to scuba dive cheaply, and have fun at a beachside party. There are plenty of affordable places to stay and countless opportunities to meet other backpackers. The island is also well connected to other nearby islands.

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 Koh Tao Better for Students?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Tao is not popular with students.

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.

Koh Tao is not popular with students.

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

Nagano is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its public transit.

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. .

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tao. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the island. There are also taxis and taxi boats available.

Is Nagano or Koh Tao a more walkable city?

Koh Tao is a great island for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Koh Tao is a very walkable island. The island is smaller than many islands in Thailand, and the small towns are usually no more than 5 kilometers apart. It's also possible to walk around most of the small towns.

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 Koh Tao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Tao or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Koh Tao?

Both Nagano and Koh Tao have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Tao than in Nagano. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 2-7 days is enough time in Koh Tao.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.

One day in Nagano or Koh Tao?

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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Tao. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagano or Koh Tao?

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.

Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao?

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 Koh Tao. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Koh Tao?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the popular destination of Koh Tao. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Koh Tao, we can see that Nagano is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano than you might in Koh Tao.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Koh Tao?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?

Nagano has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Koh Tao in the Summer?

Both Koh Tao 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

In the autumn, Nagano is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.

Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.

Should I visit Nagano or Koh Tao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Koh Tao. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.

Should I visit Nagano or Koh Tao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Koh Tao. Many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

Nagano is much colder than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In the spring, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Nagano