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

Should you visit Nagasaki or Picton?

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

Should I visit Nagasaki or Picton? 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 nightlife, food, and shopping. See Nagasaki travel costs.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Picton travel costs.

Nagasaki and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagasaki or Picton?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagasaki. Although Nagasaki and Picton are popular destinations, Nagasaki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagasaki is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and big city activities, while Picton attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Nagasaki is famous for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. It is also well known for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Picton is famous for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Nagasaki different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nagasaki is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Nagasaki and Picton both to be superb destinations.

Nagasaki has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Picton makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Nagasaki or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Nagasaki is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Nagasaki offers plenty to do in the evening. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Nagasaki or Picton Better for Beaches?

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

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Nagasaki is not a beach destination.

Is Nagasaki or Picton Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Nagasaki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagasaki or Picton?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Nagasaki and Picton.

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.

Picton is a great destination for shopping. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Nagasaki or Picton Better for Families?

Picton 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 Picton. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

Picton is a very popular place for couples. Also, Nagasaki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Nagasaki is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Nagasaki or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton 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 Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

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 Picton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagasaki is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Nagasaki or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton 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.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's 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 Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Nagasaki?

How long in Nagasaki or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nagasaki or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nagasaki than Picton 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 Picton.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Picton 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 Picton.

One day in Nagasaki or Picton?

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

The town of Picton offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Picton?

Nagasaki 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.

Picton 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Picton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Nagasaki or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagasaki. 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.

Picton 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Nagasaki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Picton is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagasaki and Picton, 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. Even though Nagasaki is in Asia and Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagasaki or Picton?

Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Nagasaki and Picton, 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 Picton?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nagasaki has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nagasaki or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nagasaki as well as Picton. Most visitors come to Nagasaki for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nagasaki is much warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagasaki averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagasaki usually gets more rain in July than Pictonin January. Nagasaki gets 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Nagasaki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Nagasaki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In the autumn, Nagasaki is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagasaki in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Nagasaki. In October, Nagasaki usually receives more rain than Pictonin April. Nagasaki gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Nagasaki during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Nagasaki is generally cooler than Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Nagasaki average around 7°C (44°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nagasaki usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Nagasaki gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagasaki or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagasaki and Picton. Many travelers come to Nagasaki for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

Nagasaki is a little warmer than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagasaki averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Nagasaki gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nagasaki usually receives more rain than Pictonin October. Nagasaki gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Nagasaki