Which city is cheaper, Nagano or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Tokyo 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.
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $183, while the average daily cost in Nagano is $101. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tokyo and Nagano in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Nagano? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Tokyo:
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Nagano and Tokyo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Nagano, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in 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.
Both Nagano and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Nagano. Temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Nagano stays around 25°C (77°F).
Tokyo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Nagano. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Nagano and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Tokyo is a little warmer than Nagano in the autumn. The temperature in Tokyo is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Nagano stays around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Nagano. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun.
Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Nagano. The winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. In the winter, Tokyo is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January are around 5°C (42°F), and Nagano is about 2°C (36°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nagano this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Nagano during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Nagano. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Nagano. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
In April, Tokyo is generally a little warmer than Nagano. Temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Nagano stays around 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Nagano. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun.
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Nagano. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Tokyo | Nagano | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 446 mm (17.5 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 275 mm (10.8 in) |
Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 222 mm (8.8 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 227 mm (9 in) |
Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 339 mm (13.3 in) |
Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 440 mm (17.3 in) |
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.