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

Should you visit Tokyo or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Seattle? 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.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Tokyo and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Seattle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Seattle than Tokyo. While Tokyo is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is very popular for its theatre productions, beaches, and hiking, while Tokyo attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Tokyo is famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. Seattle is famous for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also well known for The Space Needle.

How is Tokyo different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tokyo is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Tokyo is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Tokyo is not a theatre destination.

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

Tokyo is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Music?

Tokyo is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

In Tokyo you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a popular place for the beach. However, Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Seattle is a good option for a beach vacation. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is great for hiking. However, Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Seattle?

Tokyo is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Tokyo is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Families?

Tokyo is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Couples?

Tokyo is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tokyo and Seattle 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.

Seattle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Tokyo or Seattle Better for Students?

Tokyo is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Tokyo is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Tokyo or Seattle a more walkable city?

Tokyo is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Tokyo 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Seattle?

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

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

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Seattle, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this progressive big city offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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 Seattle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Seattle?

Tokyo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tokyo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Seattle. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tokyo or Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the laid-back big city of Seattle. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Seattle?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Tokyo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Seattle. 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 Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Tokyo is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Seattle. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tokyo or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Seattle. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In January, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Tokyo usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In April, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Seattle. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Tokyo