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

Should you visit Tokyo or Munich?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Munich? 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 high energy, vibrant, and iconic 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Munich

Munich is a high energy, multicultural, and economically thriving city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Tokyo and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Munich?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tokyo than Munich. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tokyo is famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also well known for The Sensō-ji Temple. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

How is Tokyo different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Tokyo on the map. 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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Tokyo or Munich Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Munich has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Is Tokyo or Munich Better for Music?

Tokyo and Munich are both destinations where visitors can find fantastic 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.

Munich is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Munich?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tokyo and Munich both offer plenty of fantastic 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.

Munich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Is Tokyo or Munich Better for Families?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Munich 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.

Munich is a very family-friendly destination. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Is Tokyo or Munich Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Tokyo and Munich 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.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Tokyo or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich Better for Students?

For students, both Tokyo and Munich are fantastic 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 Munich. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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

Tokyo and Munich both offer fantastic 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 Munich is top-notch. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

Is Tokyo or Munich a more walkable city?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Tokyo on foot is easy. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Munich?

In either Tokyo or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than Munich 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 Munich.

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Munich. 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 Munich. 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 Munich 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 Munich.

One day in Tokyo or Munich?

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 Munich, many people enjoy the live music and food that this economically thriving 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 Munich?

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 Munich. 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 Munich?

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.

Munich is a fun place to experience. In Munich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tokyo or Munich?

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 high energy big city of Munich. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Munich?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

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

Tokyo is a little warmer than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Munich. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo usually gets more rain in July than Munich. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich 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 Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Tokyo is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Munich during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Munich. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tokyo or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Munich can be very cold. In January, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Munich. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

Tokyo usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Munich. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Munich in the Spring?

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

Tokyo is a little warmer than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Tokyo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Munich during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 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 Munich. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and Tokyo