A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Yokohama for Food, Families, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Malang or Yokohama?

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

Should I visit Malang or Yokohama? 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.

Malang

Malang is a under-rated, authentic, and cultural city. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food. See Malang travel costs.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a bright, colorful, and under-rated city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Yokohama travel costs.

Malang and Yokohama: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malang or Yokohama?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Yokohama than Malang, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Yokohama is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Malang is known for its food and hiking. Malang is popular for its many nearby natural attractions. Yokohama is popular for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also home to the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Malang different from Yokohama?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malang or Yokohama?

Yokohama is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Yokohama offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

Malang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a handful of museums around town that provide information on the city's culture and history. There are also mosques, temples, and the famous Rainbow Village.

Is the Food Better in Malang or Yokohama? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Malang is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Malang is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. This is a top foodie destination and you'll find plenty of amazing street food. It's also the credited with being the birthplace of bakso (meatballs). Many of the dishes around town are sweet, spicy, and served with peanut sauce. It's been influenced by many different cuisines such as Chinese, Javanese, Madurese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian.

Yokohama has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Is Malang or Yokohama Better for Nightlife?

Yokohama is well known for nightlife. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Yokohama is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

If you're looking for night time activities Malang has a few options to choose from. The universities around town mean that there's a youthful vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll also find a mix of cultural activities as well as modern and trendy venues. There are dance clubs, upscale lounges, and everything in between.

Is Malang or Yokohama Better for Hiking?

Malang is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Malang has hiking trails worth exploring. Many visitors use this city as a base for hiking Mount Bromo. It's popular to hire a jeep tour from town, or you can hire a private driver or motorbike. Near town you'll also find one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Indonesia - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. It's possible to hike to the base of the waterfall, but it's a very challenging route.

Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Malang or Yokohama?

Yokohama is well known for shopping. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Yokohama is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Malang. You'll find places to pick up many local items. The region is known for its ceramics, wood, and rattan (palms).

Is Malang or Yokohama Better for Families?

Yokohama is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Yokohama is a very family-friendly destination. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

Malang offers lots of family activities. If you're willing to head just outside of town, you'll find theme parks and waterparks. Some of the favorites are Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park, Selecta Park, and Batu Night Spectacular.

Is Malang or Yokohama Better for Couples?

Yokohama is well known for romance. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Yokohama frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

Malang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, museums, temples, and great food will have a good time visiting this city. It is also a bit cooler than much of Indonesia, which can make a nice escape from the heat.

Is Malang or Yokohama Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malang and Yokohama are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Malang. Most backpackers pass through town when they're headed to climb Mount Bromo. There are plenty of hostels and cheap places to stay as well as some sights that are worth checking out.

Yokohama is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Is Malang or Yokohama Better for Students?

Malang and Yokohama are good places to visit for students.

Malang is popular with students. The university means that there's a large student population in town.

It's common for students to visit Yokohama. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Is Malang or Yokohama Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Yokohama is well known for its public transit. However, Malang is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Yokohama can move around easily with public transportation. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Malang. Angkot or mikrolet are small buses or modified cars that carry passengers around town. Many visitors also hire a motor scooter or driver to get around.

Is Malang or Yokohama a more walkable city?

Yokohama is well known for its walkability. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Yokohama is very walkable. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Malang is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Malang Worth Visiting? and Is Yokohama Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yokohama or Malang?

How long in Malang or Yokohama?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Malang or Yokohama to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Malang than Yokohama because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Malang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Yokohama.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Yokohama than Malang 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 Yokohama.

One day in Malang or Yokohama?

The city of Malang offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Yokohama is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Malang or Yokohama?

Malang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Malang, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Yokohama is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Malang or Yokohama?

Malang is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yokohama. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malang or Yokohama?

Malang is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated big city of Yokohama. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Malang or Yokohama?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Yokohama, 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.