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| Category | Tokyo | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Tokyo value | Seoul value |
| Average flight price from London | £650 | £520 |
| Best months to visit | May-June (cherry blossoms) | May-September (avoiding monsoons) |
| Daily budget (mid-range) | ¥15,000 ($100) | ₩120,000 ($85) |
| Public transit quality | 9.2/10 (punctual, clean) | 8.5/10 (efficient but crowded) |
| Food scene highlight | Sushi omakase (¥50,000+) | Street food (gimbap, samgyeopsal) |
| Top museum/attraction | Tokyo National Museum (1.2M annual visitors) | National Museum of Korea (1.8M) |
| Nightlife | Shibuya (high-end clubs, 18+ entry) | Hongdae (vibrant street culture, 24/7) |
| Safety | 1.2/10 crime rate (Numbeo) | 1.5/10 |
| Walkability | 95/100 (pedestrian zones, signage) | 88/100 |
Score: Tokyo 6 wins · Seoul 2 wins · 2 ties
The Verdict
Choose Tokyo for seamless transit, safety, and walkability – ideal if you prioritize efficiency over budget.
Choose Seoul for a different perspective.
Flights to Tokyo → Flights to Seoul →
Things to do in Tokyo · Things to do in Seoul · When to visit Tokyo · When to visit Seoul
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| Criteria | Tokyo | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily budget (USD) | $120 | $90 |
| Flight cost from London (round-trip) | £550-£750 | £400-£550 |
| Hotel cost per night (mid-range) | ¥15,000-¥20,000 ($105-$140) | ₩150,000-₩200,000 ($110-$145) |
| Best season to visit | March-May (cherry blossoms) | October-November (fall foliage) |
| Days needed | 7-10 days | 5-7 days |
| Known for | Technology, anime culture, sushi | K-pop, street food, K-dramas |
| Nightlife rating (1-10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Crowd level (1-10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Tokyo is 25% more expensive than Seoul overall. A budget meal costs $6 in Seoul versus $8 in Tokyo. A mid-range restaurant dinner is $25 in Seoul versus $35 in Tokyo. A coffee is $3.50 in Seoul versus $4.20 in Tokyo. A metro/day pass is $3.50 in both cities. Museum entry is $10 in Seoul versus $15 in Tokyo. Hostel stays cost $25/night in Seoul versus $30 in Tokyo. A 3-star hotel is $90/night in Seoul versus $120 in Tokyo. A 4-star hotel is $140/night in Seoul versus $190 in Tokyo. Seoul is cheaper by 25% for all categories.
Shibuya Crossing is the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, with 3,000 people crossing simultaneously. Harajuku's Takeshita Street offers unique fashion styles like Lolita and Gyaru, with stores like Wacko Maria and Cat Street. These experiences are exclusive to Tokyo's urban culture.
Tsukiji Outer Market serves fresh sushi at restaurants like Sushi Saito, where a 10-piece omakase costs $150. This market has been the heart of Tokyo's seafood trade since 1935, offering direct access to tuna auctions and high-end sushi chefs.
Akihabara houses over 1,000 electronics stores like Yodobashi Camera and anime shops such as Mandarake. The area hosts the annual Tokyo Game Show in September, attracting 200,000 visitors. This is the only place where you can find both cutting-edge tech and niche anime culture.
Shinjuku Gyoen is a 55-acre garden blending Japanese, French, and English landscapes. It's open year-round with cherry blossoms in March and autumn leaves in November. The garden hosts the annual Tokyo International Film Festival in October, with screenings at the nearby Shinjuku Park Tower.
Namsan Mountain offers hiking trails leading to N Seoul Tower, which has a 360-degree view of the city. The tower's observation deck is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM, with tickets priced at ₩12,000 ($9.50). This is the only spot in Seoul with panoramic views of the Han River and downtown.
Myeongdong is Seoul's main street for street food, with vendors selling tteokbokki ($3.50), hotteok ($2.50), and Korean fried chicken ($5). The area also has department stores like Lotte and Shinsegae, making it a hub for both food and shopping.
Bukchon Hanok Village is a historic neighborhood of traditional Korean houses (hanok) built during the Joseon Dynasty. It's open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, with guided tours costing ₩15,000 ($12). The village hosts the Seoul Hanok Village Festival every October, featuring traditional performances.
Gangnam is home to the Lotte World Tower, the world's second-tallest building, and the K-pop industry. The area hosts the annual Seoul International K-pop Festival in August, with performances by BTS and BLACKPINK. This is the only place where you can experience K-pop culture in its birthplace.
Tokyo's best time is March-May for cherry blossoms (peak around April 5th) and mild weather. Seoul's best time is October-November for fall foliage (peak around October 25th). Summer in Tokyo (July-August) is hot and humid with typhoons (average 10 per year), while Seoul's summer is equally hot but with fewer typhoons (average 5 per year). Winter in Tokyo (December-February) is cold but manageable (average 3°C), while Seoul's winter is colder (average -2°C) with more snow. For crowd vs price trade-offs, Tokyo's peak season (March-May) is 30% more expensive than off-season (January-February), while Seoul's peak season (October-November) is 25% more expensive than off-season (December-February).
Flights from London to Tokyo (Narita/Haneda) cost £550-£750 with Japan Airlines, ANA, and British Airways. Flights from London to Seoul (Incheon) cost £400-£550 with Korean Air, Asiana, and British Airways. Flights from Amsterdam to Tokyo cost €500-€700 with KLM and Japan Airlines. Flights from Amsterdam to Seoul cost €400-€550 with KLM and Korean Air. Frankfurt to Tokyo flights cost €550-€750 with Lufthansa and Japan Airlines. Frankfurt to Seoul flights cost €450-€600 with Lufthansa and Korean Air. Tokyo to Seoul flight time is 2 hours 15 minutes. From Tokyo Haneda Airport, the Keisei Skyliner takes 45 minutes to Shinjuku for £8. From Seoul Incheon Airport, the AREX Express takes 40 minutes to Seoul Station for £3.
Choose Tokyo if you prioritize technology, anime culture, and high-end dining. Choose Seoul if you prefer K-pop, street food, and historic neighborhoods. For first-timers, Seoul is better due to lower costs and easier navigation. For return visitors, Tokyo is better for its unique urban culture and food experiences. Seoul is ideal for budget travelers, while Tokyo is ideal for luxury travelers.
The best time to visit Tokyo is March-May for cherry blossoms and mild weather, with temperatures averaging 10-15°C.
The best time to visit Seoul is October-November for fall foliage, with temperatures averaging 10-15°C.
A budget meal in Seoul costs $6, a mid-range meal costs $25, and a high-end meal costs $50.
A budget meal in Tokyo costs $8, a mid-range meal costs $35, and a high-end meal costs $100.