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

Should you visit Tokyo or Milan?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Milan? 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 eclectic, cutting edge, and high tech city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Milan

Milan is a chic, cultural, and trendy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Tokyo and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Milan?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Milan than Tokyo. While Tokyo is larger than Milan, Milan has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Milan is very popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Tokyo attracts visitors for its museums. Tokyo is more touristy than Milan and is known for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. Milan is famous for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Tokyo different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tokyo is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tokyo has many famous sights for visitors. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at terrific restaurants in both Tokyo and Milan.

For foodies, Tokyo is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Milan has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

Is Tokyo or Milan Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is terrific in both Tokyo and Milan.

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.

Milan has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

Is Tokyo or Milan Better for Music?

Tokyo and Milan are both destinations where visitors can find terrific live music.

Tokyo has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Milan is a world class music destination. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Is Tokyo or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Milan is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Milan is one of the most recognized in the world. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Milan?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tokyo and Milan both offer plenty of terrific spots.

Many people travel to Tokyo specifically to go shopping. 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.

Milan is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Is Tokyo or Milan Better for Families?

Tokyo is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Tokyo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Tokyo or Milan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Tokyo and Milan make for a excellent 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.

Milan is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Tokyo or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Milan 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 Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

For students, both Tokyo and Milan are terrific places to visit.

Many students frequent 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.

Students come from all over the world to visit Milan. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

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

Tokyo and Milan both offer terrific public transit to get you around.

Tokyo has a great public transit system. 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 Milan is top-notch. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Is Tokyo or Milan a more walkable city?

Tokyo and Milan are terrific 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 Milan on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Milan or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Milan?

In either Tokyo or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than Milan because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Milan. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan than Tokyo 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 Milan.

One day in Tokyo or Milan?

Each neighborhood in Tokyo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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.

In Milan, many people enjoy the live music and food that this trendy big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tokyo or Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Tokyo is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Tokyo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Milan is a fun place to experience. In Milan, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. 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 Milan?

Each neighborhood in Tokyo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the trendy big city of Milan. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Tokyo and Milan, we can see that Milan 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 Milan 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 Milan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Milan?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Milan. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

Both Milan and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Milan in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Milan. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Milan during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Milan. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tokyo or Milan in the Autumn?

Both Milan and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Milan because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tokyo is a little warmer than Milan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Milan averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Milan. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

Milan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Milan. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Milan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Milan. The winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Milan in the winter. In January, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Milan. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Milan during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Milan. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or Milan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Milan. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Tokyo is around the same temperature as Milan in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Milan. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Milan. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Tokyo