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

Should you visit Tokyo or Sao Paulo?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Sao Paulo? 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, Tokyo attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Tokyo travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a colorful, cultural, and dynamic 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Tokyo and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Sao Paulo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Tokyo than Sao Paulo. While Sao Paulo is larger than Tokyo, Tokyo has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tokyo is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is known for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also well known for The Sensō-ji Temple. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene.

How is Tokyo different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Sao Paulo and Tokyo.

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 will find world class museums and historical sights in Sao Paulo that are not to be missed. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

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

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is fantastic in both Tokyo and Sao Paulo.

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.

Sao Paulo has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo Better for Music?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

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.

Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Sao Paulo?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tokyo and Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Tokyo is a great city for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Tokyo attracts visitors from all around. It's colorful skyscrapers and historic temples make this a truly one-of-a-kind place to explore.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-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.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Tokyo is a great city for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tokyo and Sao Paulo are nice 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.

Sao Paulo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Tokyo is a great destination 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.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

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

Tokyo and Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo is top-notch. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

Is Tokyo or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Sao Paulo is very walkable. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Sao Paulo?

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

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

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 Sao Paulo, many people enjoy the shopping and museums 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 Sao Paulo?

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 Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

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.

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

A week in Tokyo or Sao Paulo?

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 food and shopping around the vibrant big city of Sao Paulo. 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 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Sao Paulo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo is in Asia and Sao Paulo is in South 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Sao Paulo.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Tokyo. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tokyo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Tokyo or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Tokyo is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Should I visit Tokyo or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Tokyo is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Tokyo or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tokyo is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In January, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Tokyo or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Sao Paulo. The spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

Tokyo is cooler than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Tokyo