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

Should you visit Tokyo or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or New Orleans? 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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, nightlife, and live music.

Tokyo and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or New Orleans?

Visitors will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Tokyo. While Tokyo is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere, while Tokyo is more popular for its museums, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Tokyo and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Tokyo is well known for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks.

The French Quarter

How is Tokyo different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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.

New Orleans has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is terrific in both Tokyo and New Orleans.

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.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans Better for Music?

Tokyo and New Orleans 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.

New Orleans is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or New Orleans?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in 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, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans Better for Families?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Tokyo is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans 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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tokyo is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Tokyo is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans Better for Students?

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

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans 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, New Orleans is lacking in 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 generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Tokyo or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or New Orleans?

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

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Tokyo is a high tech city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In New Orleans, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 New Orleans?

Tokyo is a eclectic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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

Tokyo is a cutting edge city where you can fill many days. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of New Orleans. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tokyo or New Orleans?

Tokyo is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the vibrant destination of New Orleans. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans is in North America, 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or New Orleans?

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

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 New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tokyo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and New Orleans averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tokyo usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tokyo or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as New Orleans. 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 New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Tokyo is generally cooler than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 18°C (64°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In the autumn, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than New Orleans. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans 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 shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

Tokyo is much colder than New Orleans in the winter. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Tokyo is cooler than New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tokyo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

New Orleans 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 New Orleans. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Tokyo