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

Should you visit Nagoya or Nagasaki?

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

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagasaki? 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 often overlooked, under-the-radar, and under-rated city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nagoya and Nagasaki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagoya or Nagasaki?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagoya than Nagasaki. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nagasaki is more touristy than Nagoya and is known for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. Nagoya is famous for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. It is also well known for the Nagoya Castle.

How is Nagoya different from Nagasaki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Nagoya is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Nagasaki 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Nagasaki makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Is Nagoya or Nagasaki Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Nagasaki is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The best areas for nightlife are the Doza-machi and Shianbashi districts. Shinanbashi is filled with narrow alleys and its easy to get lost.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagoya or Nagasaki?

Nagoya 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 Nagoya. 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.

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 Nagoya or Nagasaki Better for Families?

Nagoya is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagasaki 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.

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 Nagoya or Nagasaki Better for Couples?

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

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 Nagoya or Nagasaki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nagoya and Nagasaki are both nice 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.

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 Nagoya or Nagasaki Better for Students?

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

Nagasaki is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Nagoya and Nagasaki.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Nagoya. 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.

Public transit in Nagasaki is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

Is Nagoya or Nagasaki a more walkable city?

Nagoya 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.

Nagoya is a very walkable destination. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached 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 Nagoya Worth Visiting? and Is Nagasaki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagasaki or Nagoya?

How long in Nagoya or Nagasaki?

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

Families should spend more time in Nagoya than Nagasaki. 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 Nagasaki. 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 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 Nagoya.

One day in Nagoya or Nagasaki?

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 Nagasaki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagoya or Nagasaki?

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.

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.

Five days in Nagoya or Nagasaki?

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 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.

A week in Nagoya or Nagasaki?

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 welcoming 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagoya and Nagasaki, 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 Nagoya Expensive? and Is Nagasaki Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagoya or Nagasaki?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nagasaki. When comparing the sizes of Nagoya and Nagasaki, 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 Nagasaki?

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 Nagasaki in the Summer?

Both Nagasaki 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 city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year.

Nagoya is around the same temperature as Nagasaki in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagoya averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Nagoya usually receives less sunshine than Nagasaki during summer. Nagoya gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 197 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. It's quite rainy in Nagoya. In July, Nagoya usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Nagoya gets 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagasaki in the Autumn?

Both Nagasaki 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. Also, many travelers come to Nagasaki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Nagoya is around the same temperature as Nagasaki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagoya in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In the autumn, Nagoya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagasaki. Nagoya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 189 hours of full sun.

Nagasaki gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. Nagoya usually gets more rain in October than Nagasaki. Nagoya gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagasaki in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagoya. In January, Nagoya is generally much colder than Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Nagoya average around 4°C (40°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Nagoya usually receives more sunshine than Nagasaki during winter. Nagoya gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 112 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nagoya usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Nagoya gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagoya or Nagasaki in the Spring?

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

Nagoya is around the same temperature as Nagasaki in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagoya averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the spring, Nagoya often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Nagoya gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 174 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagasaki. Nagoya receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nagoya usually gets less rain in April than Nagasaki. Nagoya gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagasaki and Nagoya