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

Should you visit Nagano or Nashville?

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 Nashville 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. 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. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nashville

Nashville is a southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Nagano and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Nashville?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Nashville. While Nashville is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is very popular for its skiing, museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Nashville attracts visitors for its music. Nagano is more touristy than Nashville and is known 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. Nashville is famous for its influence in country music and its many live music venues.

How is Nagano different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Nashville is not a skiing destination.

Nagano offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. 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.

Nashville is not a skiing destination.

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

Nagano is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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

Nagano is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Nashville offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Music?

Nashville 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 Nashville. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Nagano and Nashville have nice options.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Nashville has a few great resort options. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Nashville does not have a historic old town.

Nagano is a good destination for visiting its old town. 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.

Nashville does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Hiking?

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

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Nashville?

Nagano is a city with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a city with good options for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Nagano does not offer Christmas activities.

Christmas holiday activities are popular when visiting Nashville. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Nagano does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Families?

Nagano is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Nagano is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Nashville are nice 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.

Nashville is a good city for couples to visit. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Nashville 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 Nashville. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Is Nagano or Nashville Better for Students?

Nagano is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

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

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

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

Nagano is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Nagano has some 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. .

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Nagano or Nashville a more walkable city?

Nagano is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Nagano is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagano and Nashville. In our opinion, Nagano has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nagano than Nashville. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

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

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

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.

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

A weekend in Nagano or Nashville?

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.

Nashville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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 Nashville?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the traditional 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 Nashville. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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 Nashville?

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 food and museums when visiting the eclectic destination of Nashville. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Nashville, 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 Nashville?

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 Nashville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Nashville. The summer months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

In July, Nagano is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 25°C (77°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 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 Nashville. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Nashville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Nashville. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Nashville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In the autumn, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Nashville. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nashville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nashville can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano is much colder than Nashville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagano in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Nashville averages at about 38°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Nashville. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nagano in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nashville for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Nagano is generally cooler than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 11°C (52°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun.

Nashville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nagano usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Nagano