A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nagoya vs. Nagano for Food, Families, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Nagoya or Nagano?

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

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagano? 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Nagoya and Nagano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagoya or Nagano?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Nagoya. While Nagoya is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, resorts, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Nagoya is known for its food, shopping, and big city activities. Nagano is more touristy than Nagoya and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple. Nagoya is popular for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry.

How is Nagoya different from Nagano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Nagoya is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Nagoya is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Nagano 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 Nagano specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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

Nagoya is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Nagoya have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nagoya and Nagano.

Nagoya has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Nagano is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Nagoya is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Nagoya is not a resort destination.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Nagoya does not have a historic old town.

Nagano has an old town worth visiting. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Nagoya does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagoya or Nagano?

Nagoya is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Families?

Nagoya is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Nagoya is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Nagano is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nagoya and Nagano 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.

Nagano is a nice destination for couples. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagoya and Nagano are both good destinations 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.

Nagano is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagoya or Nagano Better for Students?

Both Nagoya and Nagano are good destinations for students.

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

Nagano is popular with students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

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

Nagoya is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Nagoya can get you around easily. 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.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagoya or Nagano a more walkable city?

Nagoya is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Nagano or Nagoya?

How long in Nagoya or Nagano?

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

Families should spend more time in Nagoya than Nagano. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nagoya than Nagano 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 Nagano?

Nagoya is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nagoya or Nagano?

Nagoya is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nagano 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 Nagano?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagoya. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Nagano?

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

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the alpine destination of Nagano. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagoya or Nagano?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagoya and Nagano, 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 Nagano?

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 Nagoya or Nagano in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagoya and Nagano. Many visitors come to Nagoya in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Nagoya is generally around the same temperature as Nagano. Daily temperatures in Nagoya average around 27°C (80°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Nagoya usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during summer. Nagoya gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagoya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagoya usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nagano. Nagoya gets 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagano in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagoya as well as Nagano. Most visitors come to Nagoya for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Nagoya is a little warmer than Nagano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagoya averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Nagano fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Nagoya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano. Nagoya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Nagoya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagoya usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Nagoya gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagano in the Winter?

Both Nagano and Nagoya are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. The weather in Nagoya can be very cold. In the winter, Nagoya is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagoya in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Nagano averages at about 2°C (36°F).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. Nagoya usually receives less sunshine than Nagano during winter. Nagoya gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. In January, Nagoya usually receives less rain than Nagano. Nagoya gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagano in the Spring?

Both Nagano and Nagoya during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Nagoya this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Nagoya is generally a little warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Nagoya average around 14°C (58°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Nagoya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano. Nagoya gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. Nagoya usually gets more rain in April than Nagano. Nagoya gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Nagoya