A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagasaki vs. Dunedin for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nagasaki or Dunedin?

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

Should I visit Nagasaki or Dunedin? 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 authentic, welcoming, and interesting city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Nagasaki travel costs.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a vibrant, small, and hilly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Dunedin travel costs.

Nagasaki and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagasaki or Dunedin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagasaki than Dunedin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nagasaki is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Dunedin attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and shopping. Nagasaki is more touristy than Dunedin and is popular for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. It is also well known for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Dunedin is famous for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula.

How is Nagasaki different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dunedin 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 Dunedin?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Dunedin and Nagasaki.

Nagasaki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Dunedin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago Museum.

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

Nagasaki is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Nagasaki is an experience not to be missed. 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dunedin. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nagasaki and Dunedin.

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.

Dunedin is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin Better for Beaches?

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

Dunedin is a good option for a beach vacation. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Nagasaki is not a beach destination.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

Dunedin is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nagasaki is not a hiking destination.

Dunedin is a good destination for hiking. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

Nagasaki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagasaki or Dunedin?

Dunedin is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dunedin. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

Nagasaki is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dunedin. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nagasaki. 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.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nagasaki and Dunedin make for a nice 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.

Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dunedin is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dunedin. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

Nagasaki is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin Better for Students?

Dunedin is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nagasaki is not popular with students.

Dunedin is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

Nagasaki is not popular with students.

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

Nagasaki is well known for its public transit. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Dunedin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

Is Nagasaki or Dunedin a more walkable city?

Dunedin is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Dunedin is a very walkable destination. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

Nagasaki is somewhat walkable. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Nagasaki?

How long in Nagasaki or Dunedin?

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

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

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

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

One day in Nagasaki or Dunedin?

In Nagasaki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Dunedin 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 Dunedin?

In Nagasaki, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagasaki has to offer.

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

Five days in Nagasaki or Dunedin?

Nagasaki is a great place to explore. 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.

Dunedin 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 Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagasaki. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nagasaki. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Dunedin 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 city 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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagasaki and Dunedin, we can see that Dunedin 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 Nagasaki is in Asia and Dunedin 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 Nagasaki Expensive? and Is Dunedin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagasaki or Dunedin?

Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dunedin. When comparing the sizes of Nagasaki and Dunedin, 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.