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

Should you visit Tokyo or Nashville?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Nashville? 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Nashville

Nashville is a country music lovers, eclectic, and southern city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Tokyo and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Nashville?

You'll generally find more things to do in Tokyo than Nashville. Tokyo is bigger than Nashville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Tokyo is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nashville is more popular for its resorts. Tokyo is more touristy than Nashville 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. Nashville is well known for its influence in country music and its many live music venues.

How is Tokyo different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Tokyo have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Tokyo just to party. 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.

Nashville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Music?

Tokyo and Nashville 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.

Nashville is a world class music destination. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Tokyo is not a resort destination.

Nashville has a few great resort options. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Tokyo is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Nashville?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Tokyo does not offer Christmas activities.

Nashville worth visiting during the Christmas season. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Tokyo does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Families?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Couples?

Tokyo is a very popular place for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Tokyo makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tokyo and Nashville 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.

Nashville is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Is Tokyo or Nashville Better for Students?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

Tokyo is a very popular city 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.

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

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

Tokyo is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Tokyo can get you around easily. 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 is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Tokyo or Nashville a more walkable city?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tokyo and Nashville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than in Nashville. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

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

People visit Tokyo because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Nashville, many people enjoy the food and museums that this country music lovers destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. 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 Nashville?

People visit Tokyo because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

People visit Tokyo because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Nashville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Nashville. Lots of people come for the live music. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tokyo or Nashville?

Tokyo is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tokyo, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find live music and food around the eclectic destination of Nashville. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Tokyo and Nashville, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville is in North America, 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 Nashville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Nashville?

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

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 Nashville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Nashville. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Tokyo is around the same temperature as Nashville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tokyo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Nashville averages at about 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Nashville. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tokyo or Nashville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Nashville. 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. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 18°C (64°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In the autumn, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Nashville. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. Tokyo is much warmer than Nashville in the winter. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Nashville. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Tokyo during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Tokyo is cooler than Nashville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tokyo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (16°C).

In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun.

Nashville 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 April than Nashville. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Tokyo