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

Should you visit Tokyo or Dublin?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Dublin? 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.

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 Tokyo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Tokyo travel costs.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Dublin travel costs.

Tokyo and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Dublin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tokyo is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dublin is known for its historical sights. Tokyo 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. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Tokyo different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tokyo or Dublin?

Tokyo is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Tokyo is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Dublin has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Tokyo or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is fantastic in both Tokyo and Dublin.

Tokyo is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Dublin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Is Tokyo or Dublin Better for Music?

Tokyo is terrific for its live music scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

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.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Is Tokyo or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is great for its historic old town charm. However, Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Dublin?

Tokyo is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Tokyo or Dublin More Beautiful?

Tokyo is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Tokyo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's colorful skyscrapers and historic temples make this a truly one-of-a-kind place to explore.

Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tokyo or Dublin Better for Families?

Tokyo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Tokyo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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 Dublin. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Tokyo or Dublin Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Tokyo and Dublin make for a very good place to visit.

Tokyo is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Tokyo or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Tokyo or Dublin Better for Students?

Tokyo is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Tokyo is a great destination 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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Tokyo is terrific for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Tokyo or Dublin a more walkable city?

Tokyo and Dublin are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

Tokyo is a very easy city to get around 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.

It is easy to get around Dublin on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Dublin?

In either Tokyo or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than Dublin because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tokyo than Dublin 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 Tokyo or Dublin?

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.

In Dublin, many people enjoy the live music and food that this laid-back destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city 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.

A weekend in Tokyo or Dublin?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dublin. 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.

Five days in Tokyo or Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a fun place to experience. In Dublin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tokyo or Dublin?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun destination of Dublin. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Tokyo and Dublin, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Tokyo is in Asia and Dublin is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Dublin?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Dublin, 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 Tokyo or Dublin?

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 Tokyo or Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Dublin. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Tokyo is much warmer than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Dublin. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tokyo or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Tokyo during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Tokyo is around the same temperature as Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Tokyo usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Dublin. The spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In April, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Tokyo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Dublin. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Tokyo