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

Should you visit Tokyo or Manchester?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Manchester? 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 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Tokyo and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Manchester?

You'll generally find more things to do in Tokyo than Manchester. Tokyo is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Tokyo is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. Also, Tokyo is famous for The Sensō-ji Temple. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Tokyo different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Manchester 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 Manchester?

Tokyo is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Tokyo is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tokyo has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Tokyo or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Tokyo is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Tokyo or Manchester Better for Music?

Tokyo is very popular for live music. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its live music scene.

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.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Manchester?

Tokyo is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Tokyo. 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.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Tokyo or Manchester Better for Families?

Tokyo is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Tokyo is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Is Tokyo or Manchester Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Tokyo and Manchester make for a great 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.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Tokyo or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tokyo and Manchester are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Tokyo. 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.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Tokyo or Manchester Better for Students?

Tokyo is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Tokyo. 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.

Manchester is a great city to visit as a student. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Tokyo is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Tokyo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. 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.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Tokyo or Manchester a more walkable city?

Tokyo is very popular for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Tokyo or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Tokyo due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Manchester. 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 Manchester. 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 Manchester 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 Manchester?

When visiting Tokyo, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Manchester, many people enjoy the live music and food that this dynamic big city offers. 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 Manchester?

When visiting Tokyo, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Manchester?

Tokyo, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tokyo or Manchester?

Tokyo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural big city of Manchester. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Tokyo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo is in Asia and Manchester is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tokyo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tokyo 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Manchester?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tokyo or Manchester in the Summer?

Both Manchester and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tokyo is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tokyo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Manchester averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Manchester during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Manchester. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tokyo or Manchester in the Autumn?

Both Manchester and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 18°C (64°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Manchester. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Manchester in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Manchester. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. Tokyo is a little warmer than Manchester in the winter. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Manchester. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or Manchester in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Manchester. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Tokyo is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tokyo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Manchester averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Manchester. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Tokyo