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

Should you visit Shanghai or Nagoya?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Nagoya. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a modern, cosmopolitan, and professional port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Shanghai and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Nagoya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Shanghai than Nagoya, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Shanghai is more popular for its museums, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nagoya is known for its nightlife. Shanghai is more touristy than Nagoya and is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also home to The Bund. Nagoya is popular for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry.

How is Shanghai different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Shanghai is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Shanghai has many famous sights for visitors. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

Many visitors head to Nagoya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Shanghai and Nagoya both to be amazing destinations.

Eat your way through Shanghai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

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.

Is Shanghai or Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Nagoya is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

Nagoya has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Nagoya?

Shanghai is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Shanghai specifically to go shopping. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

Nagoya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Shanghai or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Nagoya is very family-friendly. 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 family-friendly things to do in Shanghai. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

Is Shanghai or Nagoya Better for Couples?

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

Shanghai makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

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 Shanghai or Nagoya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shanghai 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 Shanghai. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

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 Shanghai or Nagoya Better for Students?

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

Shanghai is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

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

Both Shanghai and Nagoya offer superb public transit options.

Shanghai has some very good public transit options. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

The public transit in Nagoya can get you to most places 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.

Is Shanghai or Nagoya a more walkable city?

Shanghai and Nagoya both are superb when exploring on foot.

Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Nagoya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Nagoya. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Nagoya. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nagoya.

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

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

One day in Shanghai or Nagoya?

Shanghai 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.

The city of Nagoya offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Shanghai or Nagoya?

Shanghai 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.

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.

Five days in Shanghai or Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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.

A week in Shanghai or Nagoya?

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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Nagoya, we can see that Shanghai is more expensive. And not only is Nagoya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive? and Is Nagoya Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Nagoya?

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

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 Shanghai or Nagoya in the Summer?

Both Nagoya and Shanghai during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagoya for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Nagoya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Nagoya averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Shanghai. In the summer, Shanghai often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun.

Nagoya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets less rain in July than Nagoya. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Nagoya in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Nagoya. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nagoya in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Nagoya during autumn. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagoya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shanghai or Nagoya in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Nagoya. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Nagoya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nagoya can be very cold during winter. Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. Shanghai is around the same temperature as Nagoya in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Nagoya. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun.

Shanghai usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nagoya. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Nagoya in the Spring?

Both Nagoya and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Shanghai is around the same temperature as Nagoya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Nagoya averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Nagoya during spring. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In April, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Shanghai