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

Should you visit Nagoya or Napier?

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

Should I visit Nagoya or Napier? 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-the-radar, under-rated, and often overlooked city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Napier

Napier is a character-filled, coastal, and relaxed town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagoya and Napier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagoya or Napier?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nagoya than Napier. Nagoya is bigger than Napier, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nagoya is better known for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Napier is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Napier is more touristy than Nagoya and is known for its many art deco buildings, its beautiful vineyards, and the area's long sandy beaches. Nagoya is well known for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. Also, Nagoya is famous for the Nagoya Castle.

How is Nagoya different from Napier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Napier 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 Napier specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Considered an "Art Deco capital", there are many interesting buildings around town and it's worth taking an Art Deco Walk. The National Aquarium of New Zealand is also impressive as is the MTG Hawke's Bay, which is a museum, gallery, and theater in one. For something a little outside the box, you can visit the Napier Prison, which is New Zealand's oldest place of incarceration, dating back to 1862.

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

Nagoya is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Nagoya has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Napier. With its many wineries and big mix of fine dining restaurants, there is plenty for a foodie to enjoy around town. You'll find restaurants that serve up New Zealand favorites as well as those that experiment with modern and trendy recipes.

Is Nagoya or Napier Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nagoya and Napier.

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.

Napier is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and fun. Whether you're looking for a wild party or just want to relax with a drink and some friends, there are plenty of places where you can hang out.

Is Nagoya or Napier Better for Beaches?

Napier is very popular for the beach. However, Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Napier. It's a popular beach destination and you'll find plenty of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and playing with the kids. You'll want to head out of town to find the best and most beautiful beaches. For hidden beaches and some of the area's best surf, head to Mahia Peninsula. To escape the tourists and hang out with the locals, go to Waipatiki Beach. And for a picnic, Westshore Beach is a favorite. Waimarama Beach is another favorite in the area as well.

Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Is Nagoya or Napier Better for Hiking?

Napier 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 Napier. Hawke's Bay is filled with wonderful walks and hikes. There are easy coastal paths as well as mult-day treks around Lake Waikaremoana. It's not hard to find somewhere to stretch your legs and explore the scenery.

Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagoya or Napier?

Nagoya is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Napier offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find all of the standard New Zealand retail chains as well antique and boutique shops. With its many Art Deco buildings, the city has character and personality.

Is Nagoya or Napier Better for Families?

Nagoya is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Nagoya is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Napier is a very kid-friendly city. This coastal city has a waterpark, a waterfall walk, and plenty of beaches where the family can hang out. There's also a waterfront promenade that is filled with water features and playgrounds where the kids can run around. You can also check out Hawke's Bay Farmyard Zoo or on a rainy day head to the Faraday Museum of Technology.

Is Nagoya or Napier Better for Couples?

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

Napier makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Surrounded by vineyards and lined with beaches, this is a great place for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon. Hop on a bike and explore the wineries or enjoy a beautiful hike through nature. There are also adrenaline-filled activities for thrill seekers or fine dining restaurants for the foodies.

Nagoya is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Nagoya or Napier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Napier. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of fun activities like mountain biking or white water rafting that you can enjoy.

Nagoya is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Nagoya or Napier Better for Students?

Nagoya is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Napier 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.

Napier is not popular with students.

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

Nagoya is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit in Nagoya is fairly effecient and thorough. 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 is generally limited in Napier. Public transit to most of the beaches is limited or nonexistent, so you really need a car if you want to get around and see everything.

Is Nagoya or Napier a more walkable city?

Nagoya is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Napier is generally not very walkable. If you stay in town you can walk to cafes and restaurants, but you really need a car if you're planning to visit beaches or explore the area in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Napier or Nagoya?

How long in Nagoya or Napier?

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

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

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

One day in Nagoya or Napier?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Napier. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagoya or Napier?

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.

Napier is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, 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.

Five days in Nagoya or Napier?

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 Napier. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Napier?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated 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 shopping and museums when visiting the character-filled destination of Napier. This town 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 New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagoya and Napier, we can see that Napier 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 Napier 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 Napier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napier 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 Napier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagoya or Napier?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Napier. When comparing the sizes of Nagoya and Napier, 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.