A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Tokyo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Da Nang or Tokyo?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Tokyo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a coastal, accessible, and authentic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a iconic, eclectic, and cutting edge city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Da Nang and Tokyo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Tokyo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Da Nang, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tokyo is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is known for its resorts and beaches. Tokyo is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also home to The Sensō-ji Temple. Da Nang is popular for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Tokyo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Tokyo?

Tokyo is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Tokyo are among the most recognizable in the world. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Da Nang. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Is the Food Better in Da Nang or Tokyo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tokyo is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Tokyo is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

Da Nang has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Tokyo is a must-see party destination. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Da Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Music?

Tokyo is terrific for its live music scene. However, Da Nang is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Tokyo The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Da Nang is not a live music destination.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is great for its luxury resorts. However, Tokyo is not a resort destination.

Da Nang is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Tokyo is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Beaches?

Da Nang is a popular place for the beach. However, Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Da Nang is a good option for a beach vacation. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Tokyo?

Tokyo is terrific for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Tokyo make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Families?

Tokyo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Tokyo is a very family-friendly destination. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Da Nang. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Tokyo make for a high quality place to visit.

Da Nang is a very popular place to visit for couples. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Tokyo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Da Nang and Tokyo are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Da Nang. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Tokyo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Students?

Tokyo is terrific for students. However, Da Nang is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Tokyo. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Da Nang is not popular with students.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tokyo is terrific for its public transit. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Tokyo can take you anywhere. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

Da Nang has some public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Is Da Nang or Tokyo a more walkable city?

Tokyo is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Tokyo on foot. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Da Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Tokyo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tokyo or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Tokyo?

Both Da Nang and Tokyo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than in Da Nang. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 3-7 days is enough time in Tokyo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tokyo than Da Nang 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 Tokyo.

One day in Da Nang or Tokyo?

In Da Nang, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this authentic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Da Nang or Tokyo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Da Nang or Tokyo?

Da Nang is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Da Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Tokyo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tokyo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Da Nang or Tokyo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the accessible destination of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Da Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Da Nang 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Da Nang.

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

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Da Nang. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Tokyo, 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.

When is the best time to visit Da Nang or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Tokyo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Tokyo. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

In the summer, Da Nang is a little warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Da Nang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Tokyo averages at about 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Da Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Da Nang often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Da Nang usually gets less rain in July than Tokyo. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. August to December in Da Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Tokyo in the Autumn?

Both Tokyo and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Da Nang is generally a little warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 25°C (78°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during autumn. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. It's quite rainy in Da Nang. In October, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Da Nang is August to December.

Should I visit Da Nang or Tokyo in the Winter?

Both Tokyo and Da Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tokyo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Da Nang is much warmer than Tokyo in the winter. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Tokyo. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually gets more rain in January than Tokyo. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. January to July is the dry season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Tokyo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Da Nang is much warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Da Nang in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Tokyo averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Da Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during spring. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tokyo and Da Nang