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

Should you visit Nagano or Melbourne?

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 Melbourne 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 Nagano is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Nagano travel costs.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Melbourne travel costs.

Nagano and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Melbourne?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Melbourne. While Melbourne is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, resorts, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Melbourne is more popular for its beaches, shopping, and big city activities. Nagano is more touristy than Melbourne and is 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. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population.

How is Nagano different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Skiing?

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

Melbourne is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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 Melbourne. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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

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

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 Melbourne is an experience not to be missed. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Melbourne offers plenty to do in the evening. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great city for the beach. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Melbourne attract visitors from all over. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a popular place for its old town. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Melbourne?

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

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne More Beautiful?

Nagano is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Nagano is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The city is found in a beautiful part of Japan. It's surrounded by mountains and filled with history and historic sights.

Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Melbourne are excellent 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.

Melbourne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Melbourne are notable 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.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Melbourne 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 Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Nagano or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Melbourne is a very popular city for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne can get you around easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

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 Melbourne a more walkable city?

Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Melbourne?

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

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

One day in Nagano or Melbourne?

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.

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagano or Melbourne?

You'll find nightlife and food around the traditional 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.

Melbourne 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 Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic 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 Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Melbourne?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nagano has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nagano or Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Melbourne. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nagano is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 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 Melbournein January. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Melbourne. 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 Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Nagano is around the same temperature as Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.

In the autumn, Nagano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Melbournein April. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Melbourne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagano can be very cold during winter. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Melbournein July. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

Nagano is cooler than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Melbournein October. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Nagano