A Travel Comparison for Vacations, Honeymoons, and Tours Hong Kong vs. Japan

Should you visit Hong Kong or Japan?

Hong Kong and Japan are both known for their high-tech, business oriented cultures. Hong Kong is more expensive, mainly because Japan is larger and has more opportunities for travelers to find less expensive destinations within the country.

Hong Kong is an interesting mix of old and new. While it has its own government, it is also looked over by the mainland Chinese government. This means that, as far as tourism goes, you can visit China while not really visiting China. So, Hong Kong is a good opportunity to experience the Chinese culture mixed in with a high-tech, modern city full of culture and history. And to add to that, many people visit Hong Kong just for the food alone!

Japan is a nation of deep history and culture wrapped in a modern technological wonderland. Here you can visit ancient temples and castles and then participate in a sci-fi anime film festival on the same day. Outside of the larger cities, a calm agricultural countryside awaits you. Here you can go biking, hiking, boating, or even relax on a beach.

Which country is cheaper, Japan or Hong Kong?

Should I visit Hong Kong or Japan? This is a popular question for many travelers. By figuring out which country is more expensive, you'll understand where you'll get more bang for your buck. A week in Japan can cost you about $873 (per person), while a week in Hong Kong may cost you around $1,213. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. 10 days, two weeks, or even one month of travel to Japan or Hong Kong can really add to your travel budget.

Accommodation is often cheaper in Japan compared to Hong Kong ($59 vs. $77). Budget travelers usually stay in less expensive hostels and guest houses, while nicer hotels often appeal to families and upscale travelers.

Compare hotel prices here: Hong Kong Hotel Prices and Japan Hotel Prices.

Or, compare hostel and guesthouse prices between Japan and Hong Kong to find the cheapest accommodation here: Japan hostels and Hong Kong hostels.

When comparing food in Hong Kong vs. Japan they are not just different in cuisine, but also in price. Meal and restaurant costs in Hong Kong ($33) are often cheaper than Japan ($30).


  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hong Kong $173
    Japan $125
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hong Kong $77
    Japan $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hong Kong $153
    Japan $119
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hong Kong $8.71
    Japan $18
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hong Kong $33
    Japan $30
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hong Kong $95
    Japan $19
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hong Kong $21
    Japan $16
  • Water Bottled water for one day
    Hong Kong $2.58
    Japan $4.51
How much are flights to Hong Kong and Japan?

The price of a plane ticket may help you decide which country you should visit.




Find a Hostel in Hong Kong or Japan

Hostels, guest houses, and locally owned B&B's are often the cheapest form of accommodation.


Hong Kong
Japan




When is the best time to visit Hong Kong and Japan?
Hong Kong Hong Kong
Hong Kong's southern location means that it is warm year-round with a tropical climate. Winters (in the northern hemisphere) are cooler, while summers are hot and wet with a decent amount of rain. Most people consider the winter months the best time to visit for this reason. However, much of Hong Kong's sights and infrastructure are in the urban core, so the weather is not as cumbersome as it could be in other nearby destinations.

Japan experiences four full seasons, much like Europe and North America. Winters in northern Japan can be quite cold and snowy. The south is generally mild and warmer in the winter, however. Summers are the peak travel time, especially in the larger cities in the central and northern regions of Japan. Visit during the shoulder seasons for mild weather and lower prices.

Why is Hong Kong more expensive than Japan?
Being a very modern city in a compact geographical area, Hong Kong has a high cost of living, high real estate prices, and a large population density. This leads to an overall increase in prices for everything from food to hotels to activities. As much of the food and other goods are imported from mainland China or around the world, prices become higher. Modern conveniences and luxuries are everywhere, but visitors have to pay more for them than in nearby China.

Japan also has a high cost of living, especially compared with the rest of Asia. In many ways it is similar to Hong Kong with regards to the quality of life and level of luxury. However, the rural areas of Japan offer visitors a chance to escape many of those high prices, so on average tourists can spend less in Japan than in Hong Kong. Keep in mind, though, that costs in the Japanese cities such as Tokyo can be very similar to those in Hong Kong, especially for business travelers or tourists looking to stay in upmarket, high-rise hotels.

What are the most expensive and cheapest cities and regions in Hong Kong and Japan?
Fukuoka, Japan Fukuoka, Japan
The central downtown area of Hong Kong is the most expensive area by far. Here, the sky-rise hotels and apartments can have some of the most expensive prices in the region. Restaurants and shops in this part of the city reflects those prices as well.

Kowloon, just over the bay to the north, is somewhat cheaper. Here you can find less expensive accommodation options and hostels, as well as more locally owned and inexpensive restaurants and shops.

Further away from the central downtown area, such as the neighborhoods to the east and west of downtown, are a little cheaper. Leaving the main island of Hong Kong will save you even more money, so head further north of Kowloon, or to the western island of Lantau near the airport. The area around the Disney attractions will have higher prices, though.

The cities in Japan are usually more expensive than the countryside. In larger cities, and tourist destinations, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Sapporo, hotels and restaurants have higher prices due to more demand for services. While the countryside is not necessarily cheap, better bargains can be found, especially in rural areas away from heavily touristed areas. Beach and resort destinations are also pricey.

How you can save money when visiting Hong Kong and Japan?
Eat at small, locally owned restaurants in Hong Kong. Not only is the food amazing, but the prices are, too!

The public transportation systems in both Hong Kong and Japan are fabulous, but taxis can be expensive. Take public transportation whenever possible. Buses also go everywhere if a train station is not nearby.

Be careful about where you shop, as many of the high-end malls can have cheaper imported goods from the mainland, but at higher prices. The same goods can often be found elsewhere for less.

In Hong Kong, look for small hotels or hostels online. Many accommodation options might take up a single floor of a larger building, and can be hard to find from the street. Hunt them down virtually or physically to save cash.

Look for budget accommodation in Japan online, and shop around. This will help with your overall budget, as hotels and hostels tend to be expensive.

To eat cheaply in Japan, look for one of the many small restaurants that serves up traditional Japanese noodles and soup. Often, these restaurants will have a payment machine that looks like a vending machine. Buy a cheap ticket from the machine, and the cook then prepares your bowl of noodles.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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