Comparison · Hong Kong vs Tokyo · China / Japan
Hong Kong vs Tokyo
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Hong Kong for Victoria Harbour skyline, Dim sum, a milder winter and a short break; choose Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing and Sushi and ramen. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 2,879 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 2,879 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Hong Kong
- October–December
- Best time for Tokyo
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Hong Kong | Tokyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | Japan |
| Known for | Victoria Harbour skyline, Dim sum and Star Ferry | Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen and Temples and shrines |
| Best time to visit | October–December | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $160–$300 | $150–$280 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | August, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 10°C (50°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | Repulse Bay | Yuigahama, Kamakura |
| Airports | HKG | HND, NRT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hong Kong for…
Victoria Harbour skyline, Dim sum, a milder winter and a short break. Hong Kong wraps one of the world's densest skylines around Victoria Harbour, with Hong Kong Island's Central and Wan Chai facing Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui across a ten-minute Star Ferry crossing. Behind the towers, about three-quarters of the territory is…
Choose Tokyo for…
Shibuya Crossing and Sushi and ramen. Tokyo is less a single city than a cluster of distinct centres linked by an exceptionally efficient rail network: neon-lit Shinjuku and Shibuya, the department stores of Ginza, the temple quarter of Asakusa, the museums of Ueno and the anime shops of…
Top sights compared
| # | Hong Kong | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram | Senso-ji Temple |
| 2 | Star Ferry | Meiji Jingu Shrine |
| 3 | Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars | Shibuya Crossing |
| 4 | Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery | Shibuya Sky |
| 5 | Hollywood Road and Man Mo Temple | Tokyo Skytree |
Food compared
| Hong Kong | Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Dim sum | Sushi |
| Roast goose and char siu | Ramen |
| Wonton noodles | Tsukemen |
| Egg tart | Tempura |
Which is cheaper?
Hong Kong and Tokyo cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $160–$300 in Hong Kong and $150–$280 in Tokyo (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Tokyo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 2,879 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hong Kong or Tokyo cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $160–$300 in Hong Kong and $150–$280 in Tokyo (estimates).
+Is Hong Kong or Tokyo better for a first trip?
Pick Hong Kong for Victoria Harbour skyline, Dim sum, a milder winter and a short break, or Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing and Sushi and ramen.
+How far is Hong Kong from Tokyo?
About 2,879 km in a straight line.