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

Should you visit Ubud 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 Ubud 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.

Ubud

Ubud is a breathtaking, popular, and famous town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Ubud travel costs.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a often overlooked, under-the-radar, and under-rated city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Nagoya travel costs.

Ubud and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Nagoya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagoya. Although Ubud and Nagoya are popular destinations, Nagoya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagoya is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Ubud attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Ubud is more touristy than Nagoya and is popular for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. Nagoya is famous for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. It is also well known for the Nagoya Castle.

How is Ubud different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Ubud or Nagoya.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ubud. The town is filled with temples and cultural sights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave), the Ubud Royal Palace, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum.

Nagoya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Ubud or Nagoya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Eat your way through Ubud, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

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 Ubud or Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Nagoya is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Nagoya know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Ubud has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is mostly focused on cultural activities and live music. Many people head here to escape the party scene that is so popular elsewhere on the island.

Is Ubud or Nagoya Better for Resorts?

Ubud is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Nagoya is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Ubud is a great choice. You'll find beautiful luxury resorts with impressive pools and dramatic landscapes.

Nagoya is not a resort destination.

Is Ubud or Nagoya Better for Hiking?

Ubud is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Ubud. There are many stunning walks and hikes just outside of town. There are stunning views from Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk will take you through the rice paddies and Kajeng Rice Field Walk is close to town but tucked away from the crowds. One of the biggest draws of the area is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk.

Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Nagoya?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Nagoya and Ubud.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ubud. Head to the Ubud shopping street for boutiques, markets, and local items. The town has grown into a shopper's paradise with many Balinese handicrafts around.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nagoya. 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 Ubud or Nagoya More Beautiful?

Ubud is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Nagoya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's a stunning setting, which makes it appealing to tourists, but to truly enjoy the beauty you'll want to get a bit outside of town.

Nagoya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ubud or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Ubud offers lots of family activities. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the jungles and rice paddies. There are also many great restaurants that are family-friend. Ubud is a bit cooler than the beach towns of Bali, so kids will enjoy an escape from the hotter temperatures.

Is Ubud or Nagoya Better for Couples?

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

Ubud makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Honeymooners flock to this small town for its stunning scenery and beautiful temples. There are luxury hotels, spas, massages, and poolside escapes that will make for the perfect honeymoon. You'll also find world class restaurants and breathtaking hikes in the area.

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 Ubud or Nagoya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud 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 Ubud. If you need a break from the party scene on Bali, then you'll enjoy the reprieve of this small town. There are still plenty of backpackers and hostels, but the town itself offers a more relaxed setting.

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 Ubud or Nagoya Better for Students?

Nagoya is a good destination for students. However, Ubud is not popular with students.

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.

Ubud is not popular with students.

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

Nagoya is a great destination for its public transit. However, Ubud is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Nagoya offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ubud. Many people hire a vehicle or driver to explore the area. There are also tourist shuttles around with Perama Shuttle being one of the most established.

Is Ubud or Nagoya a more walkable city?

Ubud and Nagoya both are superb when exploring on foot.

Ubud is a very walkable destination. The town is generally walkable and easy to explore on foot, but you'll need other transportation if you want to get outside of town.

Nagoya is very walkable. 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 Ubud Worth Visiting? and Is Nagoya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Nagoya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ubud and Nagoya. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ubud than in Nagoya. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nagoya.

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

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

One day in Ubud or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ubud. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Nagoya is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Ubud or Nagoya?

Ubud is a great place to explore. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nagoya is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 Ubud or Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ubud. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Ubud or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the popular destination of Ubud. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The under-rated city of Nagoya 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 Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Nagoya, we can see that Ubud 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 Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud 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 Ubud Expensive? and Is Nagoya Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ubud or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud 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.