A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nagano vs. Koyasan for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Hiking

Should you visit Nagano or Koyasan?

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 Koyasan 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.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a serene, spiritual, and traditional town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Nagano and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Nagano or Koyasan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nagano than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nagano is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. 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. Koyasan is well known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.

How is Nagano different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Koyasan Better for Skiing?

Nagano
Koyasan

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

Koyasan is not a skiing destination.


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

Nagano
Koyasan

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

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 Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

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

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan 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.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Nagano or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Nagano know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.


Is Nagano or Koyasan Better for Resorts?

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano is a good destination for its resorts. However, Koyasan 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.

Koyasan is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Nagano
Koyasan

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

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

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 Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.


Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Koyasan?

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nagano offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nagano or Koyasan Better for Families?

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nagano is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Nagano or Koyasan Better for Couples?

Nagano
Koyasan

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

Koyasan is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

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 Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagano
Koyasan

For backpackers, both Nagano and Koyasan are notable 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 Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

Is Nagano or Koyasan Better for Students?

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano is a good destination for students. However, Koyasan is not popular with students.

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

Koyasan is not popular with students.

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

Nagano
Koyasan

Nagano and Koyasan 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. .

Koyasan has a few public transit options. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.


Is Nagano or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Nagano
Koyasan

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

Koyasan is a very walkable town. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore 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 Koyasan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nagano or Koyasan to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nagano than Koyasan 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 Koyasan.

Families should spend more time in Nagano than Koyasan. 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 Nagano than Koyasan 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.


  • How many days in Nagano or Koyasan? Ideal Length of Stay
    Nagano 1-3 
    Koyasan 1-2

One day in Nagano or Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nagano or Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

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 Koyasan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Koyasan or Nagano?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nagano is $91, while the average daily cost in Koyasan is $79. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nagano and Koyasan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nagano $61
    Koyasan $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nagano $122
    Koyasan $80
Compare Hotels in Nagano and Koyasan

Looking for a hotel in Nagano or Koyasan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nagano


Hotels in Koyasan


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nagano Hotel Prices and Koyasan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nagano $9.91
    Koyasan $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Nagano or Koyasan?

Prices for flights to both Koyasan and Nagano change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nagano $22
    Koyasan $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nagano $8.26
    Koyasan $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nagano -
    Koyasan $4.95


When comparing the travel costs between Nagano and Koyasan, we can see that Nagano 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 Koyasan Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Nagano or Koyasan?

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 Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Koyasan. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Koyasan. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Koyasan. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nagano 25°C (77°F) 
    Koyasan 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nagano is cooler than Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Koyasan averages at about 19°C (65°F).

Nagano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koyasan during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Nagano. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nagano 16°C (60°F) 
    Koyasan 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Koyasan in the Winter?

Both Koyasan and Nagano during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nagano in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Koyasan. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nagano 2°C (36°F) 
    Koyasan 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Koyasan. Most visitors come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Nagano is cooler than Koyasan in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Nagano usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nagano 11°C (52°F) 
    Koyasan 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Nagano

Nagano Koyasan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 446 mm (17.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 275 mm (10.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 191 mm (7.5 in) 9°C (47°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 152 mm (6 in) 23°C (74°F) 208 mm (8.2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 222 mm (8.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Aug 26°C (80°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 232 mm (9.1 in) 25°C (76°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 227 mm (9 in) 19°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 10°C (50°F) 339 mm (13.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 440 mm (17.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)


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