Should you visit Nagano or Sado?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Nagano and Sado can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
Which city is cheaper, Sado or Nagano?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nagano is $86, while the average daily cost in Sado is $59. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Nagano and Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $116 for a double occupancy room in Nagano If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $28. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Sado the cost is $56 on average.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Nagano than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $9.38 on transportation in Nagano on average per day.
The cost of a taxi ride in Sado is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $13 per person, per day, on local transportation in Sado.
Is it cheaper to fly into Nagano or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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 in Nagano costs travelers about $21 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
In Sado travelers spend around $22 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Nagano $21
Sado $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sado
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sado.
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Cooking the finest rice balls using salt and rice from Sado:
$20
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Picking up bamboo shoots and cooking, Mt. Donden spring walk:
$121
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Nagano, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $7.82 per day, per person.
Entertainment and activities in Sado typically cost an average of $8.08 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
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Nagano Guided Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji, Obuse:
$1.72
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Apple picking experience in Iiyama, Nagano:
$12
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COCORETO Daikon-Island Cycling Guid Tour:
$23
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Nagano Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$36
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Tsukiji old market vs Toyosu new market Special Secret Tour:
$175
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Private Custom Tour in TATEYAMA:
$331
Tours and Activities in Sado
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sado are as follows:
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Bike Tour in Sado with a Local Guide:
$35
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SADO ISLAND private cycling tour in Shukunegi and Ogi:
$108
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Unique tour of picking up Bamboo shoots, taste experience:
$69
Alcohol
The average person spends about $63 on alcoholic beverages in Sado per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Sado, we can see that Nagano is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sado would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sado 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 Sado.
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