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

Should you visit Nara or Nagasaki?

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

Should I visit Nara 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.

Nara

Nara is a traditional, tranquil, and natural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a interesting, authentic, and welcoming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Nara and Nagasaki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Nagasaki?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagasaki. Although Nara and Nagasaki are roughly the same size, Nagasaki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagasaki is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Nara is known for its historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Nagasaki is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. It is also home to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Nara is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Nara different from Nagasaki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nara or Nagasaki?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Nara and Nagasaki.

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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 Nara or Nagasaki? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagasaki is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Nagasaki. 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).

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Nara or Nagasaki Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Nara and Nagasaki.

Nara has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Nagasaki has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Nara or Nagasaki Better for its Old Town?

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

Nara has an old town worth visiting. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Nagasaki does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Nagasaki Better for Hiking?

Nara 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 Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Nagasaki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Nagasaki?

Nara 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 Nara. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

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 Nara or Nagasaki Better for Families?

Nara 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 Nara. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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 Nara or Nagasaki Better for Couples?

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

Nara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

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 Nara or Nagasaki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nara and Nagasaki are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nara. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

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

Both Nara and Nagasaki offer high quality public transit options.

The public transit in Nara can get you around easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Nagasaki offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

Is Nara or Nagasaki a more walkable city?

Nara 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.

Nara is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring 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 Nara Worth Visiting? and Is Nagasaki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagasaki or Nara?

How long in Nara or Nagasaki?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nara and Nagasaki. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nagasaki than in Nara. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nara, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nagasaki.

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

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

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

One day in Nara or Nagasaki?

The city of Nara 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagasaki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Nara or Nagasaki?

Nara 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nara, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Nagasaki is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nara or Nagasaki?

Nara 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the interesting destination of Nagasaki. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nara or Nagasaki?

Nara 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 city offers something for everyone.

The interesting city of Nagasaki offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan, and The Best Contiki Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Nagasaki?

Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Nara 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 Nara or Nagasaki?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nara or Nagasaki in the Summer?

Both Nagasaki and Nara during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year.

In the summer, Nara is around the same temperature as Nagasaki. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nara in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Nara often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagasaki. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 197 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 Nara. Nara usually gets less rain in July than Nagasaki. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Nagasaki in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Nagasaki. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagasaki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Nara is generally cooler than Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 17°C (63°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

Nara usually receives less sunshine than Nagasaki during autumn. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nara usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nagasaki. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nara or Nagasaki in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nara as well as Nagasaki. Many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Nara. Nara is much colder than Nagasaki in the winter. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Nara often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 112 hours of full sun.

Nara usually gets less rain in January than Nagasaki. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Nagasaki in the Spring?

Both Nagasaki and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Nagasaki for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Nara is cooler than Nagasaki. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nara in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Nara usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagasaki during spring. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. It's quite rainy in Nara. In April, Nara usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nagasaki and Nara