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

Should you visit Hoi An or Tokyo?

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 Hoi An and Tokyo. 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.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a quaint, peaceful, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a vibrant, iconic, and eclectic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Hoi An and Tokyo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Tokyo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Hoi An, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tokyo is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Hoi An is more popular for its beaches and historical sights. Hoi An is more touristy than Tokyo and is known for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. Tokyo is well known for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. Also, Tokyo is famous for The Sensō-ji Temple.

How is Hoi An different from Tokyo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hoi An or Tokyo?

Tokyo is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Tokyo from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

Hoi An offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.

Is the Food Better in Hoi An or Tokyo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hoi An and Tokyo.

Eat your way through Hoi An, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

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.

Is Hoi An or Tokyo Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is terrific for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Hoi An is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's definitely not your typical backpacker party town, and the city is quietly beautiful in the evening. Many of the bars in the old town close before midnight, but there are some places outside of the area if you're looking for something more lively.

Is Hoi An or Tokyo Better for Music?

Tokyo is terrific for live music. However, Hoi An is not a live music destination.

Tokyo is known as a music capital around the world. 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.

Hoi An is not a live music destination.

Is Hoi An or Tokyo Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is a popular place for the beach. However, Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Hoi An is a good option for a beach vacation. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.

Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Tokyo Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Hoi An is one of the most recognized in the world. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Tokyo?

Shoppers can find a variety of amazing stores in both Hoi An and Tokyo.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Hoi An. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.

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.

Is Hoi An or Tokyo Better for Families?

Tokyo is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Tokyo is very family-friendly. 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.

Hoi An is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will appreciate the thrill of a visit to Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with roller coasters, zip lines, and more. Near the city you'll also find ancient ruins, outdoor activities, hands-on classes, and, of course, the impressive old town.

Is Hoi An or Tokyo Better for Couples?

Hoi An and Tokyo both superb destinations for a couple.

Hoi An makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This charming city has a lot of character and some of Vietnam's best restaurants. The city is also known for its tailor made clothes, so make sure you do some shopping while you're in town.

Couples visit Tokyo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Hoi An or Tokyo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hoi An is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Hoi An, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

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 Hoi An or Tokyo Better for Students?

Tokyo is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Hoi An is not popular with students.

Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Hoi An is not popular with students.

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

Tokyo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Hoi An, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

Is Hoi An or Tokyo a more walkable city?

Hoi An and Tokyo are amazing when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Hoi An. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time to explore on foot.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? and Is Tokyo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tokyo or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Tokyo?

Both Hoi An 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 Hoi An. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hoi An, and 3-7 days is enough time in Tokyo.

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Hoi An. 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 Hoi An. 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 Hoi An than Tokyo 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 Hoi An.

One day in Hoi An or Tokyo?

In Hoi An, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this peaceful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hoi An or Tokyo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hoi An. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Tokyo is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Hoi An or Tokyo?

Hoi An is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hoi An. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hoi An or Tokyo?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Hoi An. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.

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

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Tokyo?

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

Should I visit Hoi An or Tokyo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hoi An is generally a little warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 29°C (85°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during summer. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer. February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An.

Should I visit Hoi An or Tokyo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Tokyo. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hoi An is a little warmer than Tokyo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Tokyo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hoi An usually gets more rain in October than Tokyo. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hoi An or Tokyo in the Winter?

Both Tokyo and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Hoi An is much warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hoi An in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Tokyo averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Tokyo during winter. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In January, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January.

Should I visit Hoi An or Tokyo in the Spring?

Both Tokyo and Hoi An during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 26°C (80°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Hoi An. In the spring, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hoi An usually gets less rain in April than Tokyo. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tokyo and Hoi An