A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagoya vs. Canberra for Food, Families, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Nagoya or Canberra?

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

Should I visit Nagoya or Canberra? 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.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a under-rated, often overlooked, and under-the-radar city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Nagoya travel costs.

Canberra

Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Canberra travel costs.

Nagoya and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagoya or Canberra?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagoya than Canberra, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nagoya is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Canberra is known for its hiking. Nagoya is popular for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. It is also home to the Nagoya Castle. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Nagoya different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagoya or Canberra?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Canberra and Nagoya.

Nagoya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

Many visitors head to Canberra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Is the Food Better in Nagoya or Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagoya is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Nagoya is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

Dining out in Canberra is an experience not to be missed. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Is Nagoya or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Nagoya is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nagoya has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Nagoya or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Canberra is a good destination for hiking. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagoya or Canberra?

Nagoya is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Nagoya is well-known for its shopping. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Nagoya or Canberra Better for Families?

Nagoya is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Nagoya is a very family-friendly destination. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Nagoya or Canberra Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nagoya and Canberra make for a good place to visit.

Nagoya is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

Canberra is a nice destination for couples. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Nagoya or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagoya is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nagoya. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Nagoya or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Nagoya is popular with students. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

Is Nagoya or Canberra Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagoya is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Nagoya has some very good public transit options. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Nagoya or Canberra a more walkable city?

Nagoya is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Nagoya is a very walkable city. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagoya Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Nagoya?

How long in Nagoya or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagoya and Canberra. In our opinion, Nagoya has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nagoya than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nagoya than Canberra 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 Nagoya.

One day in Nagoya or Canberra?

Nagoya is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Nagoya or Canberra?

Nagoya 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 Nagoya, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra 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 Nagoya or Canberra?

Nagoya is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. 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 Nagoya or Canberra?

Nagoya is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagoya and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Nagoya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagoya is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nagoya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagoya 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Nagoya.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagoya or Canberra?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Nagoya and Canberra, 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 Nagoya or Canberra?

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

Should I visit Nagoya or Canberra in the Summer?

Both Canberra and Nagoya are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

In July, Nagoya is generally a little warmer than Canberrain January. Daily temperatures in Nagoya average around 27°C (80°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite rainy in Nagoya. In July, Nagoya usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Nagoya gets 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagoya or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra and Nagoya during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Nagoya this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Nagoya is around the same temperature as Canberra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagoya averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in April.

Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. Nagoya usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Canberrain April. Nagoya gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagoya or Canberra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagoya and Canberra. Many travelers come to Nagoya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagoya. In the winter, Nagoya is much colder than Canberra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagoya in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Canberra averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

In January, Nagoya usually receives around the same amount of rain as Canberrain July. Nagoya gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagoya or Canberra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagoya as well as Canberra. Many visitors come to Nagoya in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Canberra for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Nagoya is generally around the same temperature as Canberrain October. Daily temperatures in Nagoya average around 14°C (58°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Nagoya receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nagoya usually gets more rain in April than Canberrain October. Nagoya gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Nagoya