Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Tokyo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Tokyo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hongcun or Tokyo?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $52Tokyo $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $157. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hongcun and Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Tokyo $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Tokyo $152
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Tokyo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Tokyo $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $17
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Narita Int Airport(NRT): $33
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Cruise Port to Tokyo City Hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo city hotels to Tokyo Cruise Port: $38
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Haneda Airport (HND): $44
- Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $51
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Yokohama Port: $59
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tachikawa City - Arrival Private Transfer : $66
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki hotels to Nagasaki Cruise Port: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Hongcun change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHongcun $19Tokyo $37
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.22
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.22
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Meal at Airport$6.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $22
- Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $25
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $38
- 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji: $52
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class！ Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $59
- Tokyo Wagyu Culinary Tour Cooking Culture and Tasting: $65
- Small-Group Wagyu Beef and 7 Japanese Dishes Tokyo Cooking Class: $68
- Private Food Tour in Downtown Yanesen and Nezu Shrine: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Tokyo $68
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Japan: Zen and Tea Ceremony Audio Guided Tour: $3.16
- Asakusa Walking Tour with an Experienced Japanese Comedian: $3.25
- Ancient Orient Museum Admission Ticket: $3.79
- Samurai and Bushido Audio Guided Tour: $4.55
- 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.05
- Akihabara Walking Tour with Otaku and Photography: $6.31
- Local Food and Bar Tour in Ginza: $6.32
- Shibuya Sightseeing with an Audio Guide: $6.32
- Ueno: Self-Guided Tour of Ameyoko and Hidden Gems: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Deeper Experience of Shinjuku Sightseeing: $6.32
- Asakusa（Tokyo）: Smartphone Audio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Harajuku: Audio Guide Tour of Takeshita Street: $6.32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Tokyo $33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $78
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $82
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $88
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $101
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $133
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $161
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Tokyo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Tokyo?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hongcun or Tokyo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Tokyo. Additionally, many visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Hongcun is a little warmer than Tokyo in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Tokyo. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Tokyo 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Tokyo in the Autumn?
Both Tokyo and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Hongcun is around the same temperature as Tokyo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Tokyo averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. In October, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Tokyo 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Tokyo in the Winter?
Both Tokyo and Hongcun during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Hongcun can be very cold during winter. In January, Hongcun is generally cooler than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Tokyo. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Tokyo 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Tokyo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Tokyo. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
Hongcun is a little warmer than Tokyo in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Tokyo 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tokyo and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Tokyo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
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.