A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Nelson for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Atami or Nelson?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Nelson can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Atami

Atami is a overlooked, nostalgic, and authentic town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Atami travel costs.

Nelson

Nelson is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. The beauty of Nelson is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Nelson travel costs.

Atami and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Nelson?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nelson. Although Atami and Nelson are popular destinations, Nelson has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nelson is more touristy than Atami and is popular for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures. It is also well known for Abel Tasman National Park. Atami is famous for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Nelson?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Atami and Nelson.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nelson. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Nelson? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nelson is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Nelson has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Atami or Nelson Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Atami and Nelson.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Nelson has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

Is Atami or Nelson Better for Beaches?

Nelson is renowned for the beach. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Nelson is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Atami or Nelson Better for Hiking?

Nelson is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Around Nelson visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Nelson?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Atami and Nelson.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Many visitors go to Nelson to go shopping. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Atami or Nelson More Beautiful?

Nelson is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Nelson is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The city is surrounded by beautiful scenery and wonderful outdoor environments.

Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Atami or Nelson Better for Families?

Nelson is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Nelson is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Atami or Nelson Better for Couples?

Nelson is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Nelson is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Nelson is extremely popular for backpackers. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Atami or Nelson Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Nelson is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is mostly limited in Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Atami or Nelson a more walkable city?

Nelson is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Nelson is a very walkable city. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

Atami is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Nelson Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Atami?

How long in Atami or Nelson?

In either Atami or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nelson than Atami because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nelson than Atami 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 Nelson.

One day in Atami or Nelson?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Atami. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Nelson, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this natural destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atami or Nelson?

Atami 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nelson. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Nelson?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. 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.

Nelson is a fun place to experience. In Nelson, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Atami or Nelson?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Atami. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the adventure-filled destination of Nelson. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Atami and Nelson, we can see that Nelson 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. Even though Atami is in Asia and Nelson is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Atami or Nelson?

Nelson has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Nelson, 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.