Comparison · Kyoto vs Tokyo · Japan
Kyoto 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: Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Kyoto for Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and a short break; choose Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 360 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 360 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Kyoto
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Tokyo
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Kyoto | Tokyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Known for | Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and Geisha district of Gion | Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen and Temples and shrines |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$280 | $150–$280 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 34°C (93°F) | August, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 9°C (48°F) | January, 10°C (50°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | Yuigahama, Kamakura |
| Airports | KIX, ITM | HND, NRT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Kyoto for…
Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and a short break. Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, Kyoto holds most of the 17 temples, shrines and castles of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, among them Kinkaku-ji's golden pavilion, Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage and the thousands…
Choose Tokyo for…
Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and free sights. 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
| # | Kyoto | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fushimi Inari Taisha | Senso-ji Temple |
| 2 | Kiyomizu-dera | Meiji Jingu Shrine |
| 3 | Kinkaku-ji | Shibuya Crossing |
| 4 | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji | Shibuya Sky |
| 5 | Gion and Hanamikoji Street | Tokyo Skytree |
Food compared
| Kyoto | Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Kaiseki | Sushi |
| Yudofu | Ramen |
| Yuba | Tsukemen |
| Shojin ryori | Tempura |
Which is cheaper?
Kyoto and Tokyo cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $150–$280 in Kyoto and $150–$280 in Tokyo (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Kyoto on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Kyoto and Tokyo are about 360 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Kyoto and 6 in Tokyo.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kyoto or Tokyo cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $150–$280 in Kyoto and $150–$280 in Tokyo (estimates).
+Is Kyoto or Tokyo better for a first trip?
Pick Kyoto for Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and a short break, or Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Kyoto from Tokyo?
About 360 km in a straight line.