A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Nagano or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, Nagano attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife. See Nagano travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Rotorua travel costs.

Nagano and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagano than Rotorua, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Nagano different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Rotorua Better for Skiing?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Rotorua is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. 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.

Rotorua is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

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

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 Rotorua is an experience not to be missed. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Nagano or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Nagano has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Nagano or Rotorua Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Rotorua is not a resort destination.

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

Rotorua is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

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

Nagano has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Both Nagano and Rotorua are destinations which offer great 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.

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Rotorua?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nagano and Rotorua both offer plenty of good 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 Rotorua to go shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Nagano or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Nagano and Rotorua are somewhat similar when it comes to the great scenery.

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.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Nagano or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Nagano is known to be 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.

Is Nagano or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua 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, Rotorua is extremely popular for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua Better for Students?

Nagano is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Nagano and Rotorua both offer good 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. .

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Nagano or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Nagano and Rotorua are good 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.

Rotorua is a somewhat walkable city. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Rotorua?

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

Families should spend more time in Rotorua than Nagano. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotorua, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

One day in Nagano or Rotorua?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Rotorua?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Rotorua. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagano and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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. Even though Nagano is in Asia and Rotorua is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Rotorua?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Nagano is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Rotorua. 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. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nagano is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. Nagano is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua 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. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Nagano is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Nagano