A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nagasaki vs. Atami for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nagasaki or Atami?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nagasaki or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a interesting, authentic, and welcoming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Atami

Atami is a authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nagasaki and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagasaki or Atami?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagasaki. Although Nagasaki and Atami are both popular with visitors, Nagasaki has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nagasaki is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Atami is known for its beaches. Nagasaki is more touristy than Atami and is known for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. It is also home to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Nagasaki different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagasaki or Atami?

Nagasaki is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami 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 Nagasaki. Nagasaki Peace Park is a moving tribute to those lost during the atomic bomb attack. Other sights around town include the Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, Kofukuji Temple, and Huis Ten Bosch.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Nagasaki or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Nagasaki has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has a cosmopolitan cuisine which has been influenced by China and several Western cuisines. Popular local dishes include Chanpon (a noodle dish), Sara Udon (meat, vegetables, and noodles), and Kakuni Manju (pork belly on a dough bun).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Nagasaki or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Nagasaki is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nagasaki has a large number of nightlife venues. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Nagasaki or Atami Better for Beaches?

Atami is a popular place for the beach. However, Nagasaki is not a beach destination.

Atami is a good option for a beach vacation. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Nagasaki is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagasaki or Atami?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Nagasaki and Atami.

Nagasaki has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head to the waterfront for the best shopping opportunities. You'll find everything from malls to souvenir shops around town. You'll also find traditional market streets which are known as shōtengai.

Atami is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Nagasaki or Atami Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nagasaki or Atami.

Nagasaki is a family-friendly city. Check out Agiruno Oka Park, which has a small farm and other recreational activities. There are also several kid-friendly museums like the Nagasaki City Science Museum and the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium. There are also many parks and playgrounds as well as the Nagasaki Seaside Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Nagasaki or Atami Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nagasaki and Atami make for a good place to visit.

Nagasaki is a good city for couples to visit. There's a unique cuisine with good restaurants. There are also many parks where couples can take a stroll, as well as relaxing hot springs nearby.

Atami is a nice destination for couples. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Nagasaki or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagasaki and Atami are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nagasaki. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

Atami is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Nagasaki or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagasaki is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Nagasaki can get you around easily. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

You'll find some public transit in Atami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Nagasaki or Atami a more walkable city?

Nagasaki and Atami are good when it comes to walkability.

Nagasaki is a somewhat walkable city. Many parts of the city can be explored by foot. The downtown is about a kilometer from Nagasaki Station and the Peace Park is several kilometers in the other direction from the station.

Atami is somewhat walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagasaki Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Nagasaki?

How long in Nagasaki or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nagasaki or Atami to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nagasaki than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagasaki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Atami.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nagasaki than Atami 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 Nagasaki.

One day in Nagasaki or Atami?

In Nagasaki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The town of Atami offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Nagasaki or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagasaki. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Atami is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atami, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Nagasaki or Atami?

Nagasaki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Nagasaki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Atami is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Nagasaki or Atami?

You'll find food and shopping around the interesting destination of Nagasaki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Atami is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagasaki and Atami, we can see that Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagasaki or Atami?

Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Nagasaki and Atami, 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 Nagasaki or Atami?

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 Nagasaki or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Nagasaki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nagasaki in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Nagasaki is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Nagasaki average around 27°C (81°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Nagasaki usually receives more sunshine than Atami during summer. Nagasaki gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Nagasaki. In July, Nagasaki usually receives more rain than Atami. Nagasaki gets 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Atami in the Autumn?

Both Atami and Nagasaki during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nagasaki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

Nagasaki is a little warmer than Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagasaki averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Nagasaki often gets more sunshine than Atami. Nagasaki gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. Nagasaki usually gets less rain in October than Atami. Nagasaki gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Atami in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagasaki and Atami. The winter months attract visitors to Nagasaki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In the winter, Nagasaki is a little warmer than Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagasaki in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Nagasaki usually receives less sunshine than Atami during winter. Nagasaki gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nagasaki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atami. Nagasaki gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Atami in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagasaki as well as Atami. The activities around the city are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

In April, Nagasaki is generally a little warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Nagasaki average around 16°C (60°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Nagasaki often gets more sunshine than Atami. Nagasaki gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nagasaki usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Atami. Nagasaki gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atami and Nagasaki