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

Should you visit Yokohama or Nagasaki?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama or Nagasaki, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a bright, colorful, 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 welcoming, interesting, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Yokohama and Nagasaki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Nagasaki?

You'll generally find more things to do in Yokohama than Nagasaki. Yokohama is bigger than Nagasaki, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nagasaki is more touristy than Yokohama and is popular for its history, hot spring spas, and local cuisine. Yokohama is well known for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. Also, Yokohama is famous for the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Yokohama different from Nagasaki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Yokohama and Nagasaki have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yokohama can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagasaki. 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 Yokohama or Nagasaki? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Yokohama and Nagasaki.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Yokohama makes for a great culinary experience. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Nagasaki has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Yokohama or Nagasaki Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Yokohama and Nagasaki.

Yokohama is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Many people head to Nagasaki for the nightlife scene. 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 Yokohama or Nagasaki?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

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 Yokohama or Nagasaki Better for Families?

Yokohama 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, Yokohama is a very family-friendly destination. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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 Yokohama or Nagasaki Better for Couples?

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

Yokohama makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

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 Yokohama or Nagasaki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yokohama and Nagasaki are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yokohama. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Nagasaki is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels in the city, but you really should make reservations in advance as they tend to fill up.

Is Yokohama or Nagasaki Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Yokohama. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Nagasaki is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Yokohama and Nagasaki.

Public transit in Yokohama is fairly effecient and thorough. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

Nagasaki has some very good public transit options. The city has four tram lines as well as city buses.

Is Yokohama or Nagasaki a more walkable city?

Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is a very walkable destination. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

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 Yokohama Worth Visiting? and Is Nagasaki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagasaki or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Nagasaki?

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

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

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

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

One day in Yokohama or Nagasaki?

Yokohama is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Nagasaki 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 Yokohama or Nagasaki?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Yokohama or Nagasaki?

Yokohama 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.

Nagasaki 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.

A week in Yokohama or Nagasaki?

Yokohama is a great place to explore. 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.

Nagasaki is a great place to explore. 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 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yokohama and Nagasaki, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. And not only is Nagasaki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nagasaki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagasaki 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama than you might in Nagasaki.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yokohama Expensive? and Is Nagasaki Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Nagasaki?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Nagasaki. When comparing the sizes of Yokohama 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 Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Nagasaki in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Nagasaki. Many visitors come to Yokohama in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Nagasaki for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Yokohama is generally around the same temperature as Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 25°C (78°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Nagasaki. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 197 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagasaki. Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yokohama usually gets less rain in July than Nagasaki. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Nagasaki in the Autumn?

Both Nagasaki and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nagasaki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Yokohama is cooler than Nagasaki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Nagasaki during autumn. Yokohama gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In October, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Nagasaki. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yokohama or Nagasaki in the Winter?

Both Nagasaki and Yokohama during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year.

In the winter, Yokohama is cooler than Nagasaki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yokohama in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Yokohama often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 112 hours of full sun.

Yokohama usually gets less rain in January than Nagasaki. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Nagasaki in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Nagasaki. The activities around the city are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nagasaki for the activities around the city.

In April, Yokohama is generally around the same temperature as Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 14°C (58°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Nagasaki during spring. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yokohama usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nagasaki and Yokohama