Comparison · Shanghai vs Tokyo · China / Japan
Shanghai 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: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Shanghai for The Bund, Pudong skyline and a short break; choose Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and free sights. Shanghai is generally less expensive, and the two are about 1,754 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,754 km
- Less expensive
- Shanghai
- Best time for Shanghai
- April–May and October–November
- Best time for Tokyo
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Shanghai | Tokyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | Japan |
| Known for | The Bund, Pudong skyline and Xiaolongbao | Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen and Temples and shrines |
| Best time to visit | April–May and October–November | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$250 | $150–$280 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | August, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 8°C (46°F) | January, 10°C (50°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | Yuigahama, Kamakura |
| Airports | PVG, SHA | HND, NRT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Shanghai for…
The Bund, Pudong skyline and a short break. Shanghai splits along the Huangpu River: on the west bank, the 1920s and 1930s banks and hotels of the Bund, the Old City around Yu Garden and the plane-tree streets of the former French Concession; on the east bank, the Lujiazui towers led by the 632-metre…
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
| # | Shanghai | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Bund | Senso-ji Temple |
| 2 | Yu Garden | Meiji Jingu Shrine |
| 3 | Shanghai Tower | Shibuya Crossing |
| 4 | Oriental Pearl Tower | Shibuya Sky |
| 5 | Shanghai Museum | Tokyo Skytree |
Food compared
| Shanghai | Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Soup dumplings | Sushi |
| Pan-fried pork buns | Ramen |
| Red-braised pork belly | Tsukemen |
| Scallion oil noodles | Tempura |
Which is cheaper?
Shanghai is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $130–$250 per person there, against $150–$280 in Tokyo (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Shanghai on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,754 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Shanghai or Tokyo cheaper?
Shanghai is usually less expensive: about $130–$250 a day mid-range against $150–$280 (estimates).
+Is Shanghai or Tokyo better for a first trip?
Pick Shanghai for The Bund, Pudong skyline and a short break, or Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Shanghai from Tokyo?
About 1,754 km in a straight line.