I do love a good Asian megacity—which one, in some ways, doesn’t matter. At the same time, while most of Asia’s metropolises are interchangeable for me, I recognize that this is not true for everyone.
In today’s post, I’m calling specific attention to a couple. Tokyo, because it’s the capital of Japan (which may just be the hottest country in the world right now, at least in terms of tourism); and Hong Kong, which in spite of recent difficulties remains “Asia’s World City.”
Now, although I’ll be helping you decide whether Tokyo or Hong Kong is right for you, I don’t advocate visiting one and skipping the other—quite the contrary.
Why Tokyo and Hong Kong Stand Out For Me
As I mentioned in the intro to this piece, I am an equal-opportunity city slicker, at least in Asia. I love Kuala Lumpur as much as I love Saigon; I’m also a massive fan of Bangkok, a city I suspect will get even more popular if Thai authorities approve a plan for entertainment complexes with casinos, as has been rumored. However, Tokyo is in a category all its own, with the possible exception of Hong Kong.
For starters, they’re cities that feel decidedly like the countries they’re part of, but also as if they exist within their own national borders. They’re convenient to reach, with dozens of flights daily from all corners of the world, and are massive foodie hubs. Unlike some of my favorite Southeast Asia spots, they’re free from threats to personal safety (and from the specter of food poisoning). Plus, they have two of the most impressive skylines on the planet!
Ways to Compare Tokyo with Hong Kong
Getting there and around
Both Hong Kong and Tokyo, as I mentioned above, are well-connected to the entire world, with plenty of nonstop flights to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and to Tokyo’s two airports, Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). Once you’re on the ground, the Hong Kong MTR system is probably more manageable than Tokyo’s two subway systems (Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway), never mind its maze of urban rail lines.
Things to do
When comparing Tokyo vs Hong Kong on this metric, there’s no wrong answer. Tokyo activities range from ancient Senso-ji temple in historical Asakusa, to the neon-lit alleys of futuristic Shinjuku, Shibuya and Akihabara. In Hong Kong, by contrast, I usually like to split my time between grittier Kowloon (whether down in Tsim Sha Tsui or up in Mong Kok) and more upmarket Hong Kong Island.
Food, drink and nightlife
Both of these Asian hubs are replete with Michelin stars, though I tend to prefer local dining. In Hong Kong, I’m as at home at the food stalls along Nathan Road as I am at BBQ shops selling steamed chicken and duck in Central, near the Hollywood Road bar street. In Tokyo, the nightlife (both the clubs of Roppongi and the bars of the Golden Gai) leave cold, even if Tsukiji Outer Market is one of the best street food experiences in the world.
Hotels
Whether in Hong Kong or Tokyo, you won’t be short of high-end stay options—I love The Peninsula in Hong Kong, and either The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo (for ambiance) or Hotel the Celestine Ginza for location. If you’re on more of a budget in Hong Kong, you’ll either want to stay at an Airbnb island-side, or in Kowloon (though maybe not at the notorious Chungking Mansions). Tokyo, for its part, is home to hundreds of affordable “business hotels.”
Onward excursions
Tokyo, in addition to being of the best cities in the world, is one of my favorite day-trip hubs anywhere. You can head up into the mountains to Nikko, down the coast to scenic Kamakura or even to the Fuji Five Lakes region at the base of Mt. Fuji. In Hong Kong, you can hike (to Lion Rock), swim (at Shek-O Beach) or say a prayer at the Big Buddha of Lantau Island. But without going to Macau or the mainland, your options are limited.
How Many Days Do You Need in Hong Kong? What About Tokyo?
Hong Kong, in its totality, occupies a huge swath of territory. But given that you are likely to focus your energy more on Kowloon and Hong Kong Island (rather than the New Territories or anywhere equally remote), you don’t need a lot of time to get the gist of it. To be specific, I’d say that most travelers can get by with between 3-5 nights in Hong Kong, depending upon whether you take any day trips, be those to Lantau Island, Lion Rock or Shek-O Beach.
Exploring Tokyo, likewise, doesn’t take nearly as long as you might think. You can explore core Tokyo neighborhoods like Asakusa, Harajuku, Ginza, Shibuya and Shinjuku with one full day, as well as the night you arrive. Depending upon how many day trips you add—popular ones include Nikko, Kamakura and the Fuji Five Lakes region—you could spend as little as 3 nights in Tokyo and as long as a week.
Other FAQ About Visiting Tokyo and Hong Kong
Which is better, Hong Kong or Tokyo?
If we only consider the cities themselves, I’d say that Hong Kong gets the upper hand, at least for me. Tokyo, however, is the gateway to Japan, which is in another league from Hong Kong in terms of opportunity for adventure and discovery. So the answer to this question depends on how extensive a trip you’ll be taking, on the whole.
Is Hong Kong larger than Tokyo?
The entirety of Tokyo prefecture occupies over 800 square miles, nearly double what the Hong Kong SAR encompasses. However, considering that most tourists to Hong Kong only explore Kowloon and Hong Kong Island (and that those to Tokyo typically stay within the most central of Tokyo’s 23 wards), I’d say that for practical purposes, the cities are pretty similar in size to one another.
Is Hong Kong still good for tourists?
I can’t lie that Hong Kong seems less free and vibrant since the 2019 protests, and that the economy seems not to have recovered fully from three years of covid-related shutdowns. At the same time, I don’t think I’ll ever not love Hong Kong—I think you owe it to yourself to go and see the city with your own eyes.
The Bottom Line
Should you visit Tokyo or Hong Kong? In reality, it’s not an either/or—both cities are among the best in the world, and are places you should go at least once in your lifetime. To me, the distinction lies in where you’ll go afterwards. If you can spend two or three weeks in Japan (or, ideally, longer), Tokyo is probably the better option, to whet your appetite for the Land of the Rising Sun. By contrast, I prefer Hong Kong’s eclecticism if I’m simply embarking on an à la carte city trip. There are simply no “wrong” answers in Asia—that’s the good news. The better news? When you hire me as your Travel Coach, you’ve got a 100% chance of getting it right.
