Tokyo vs Seoul: which should you visit?
Not opinion: measurement. Month-by-month weather under disclosed thresholds, the currency picture at a dated central-bank rate, verified venue depth, and the live events calendar. Every number on this page carries its source.
The verdict, computed
Choose Tokyo for:
- Weather: Tokyo leads in Jul–Aug and Nov–Feb.
- Sightseeing depth: 741 catalogued attractions vs 382.
- Food scene: 33,965 catalogued food & drink venues vs 19,647.
Choose Seoul for:
- Weather: Seoul leads in Mar–Jun and Sep–Oct.
When each city wins
Measured weather favors Tokyo in Jul–Aug and Nov–Feb and Seoul in Mar–Jun and Sep–Oct.
Weather: Open-Meteo multi-year normals; bands per the disclosed best-months thresholds. Winner per month = better band, then fewer rain days, then highs nearer 23.5 °C. Every rule on this page is set out in how we compare cities.
Your money, measured
Tokyo: Japanese yen
The Japanese yen has weakened 2.0% against the US dollar over the past year — your money goes further in Tokyo right now.
Seoul: South Korean won
The South Korean won has strengthened 6.5% against the US dollar over the past year — budget a little more for Seoul.
Price levels (country-wide indicator)
Price levels in Japan run about 66% of US levels (World Bank PPP, 2025) — a dollar stretches roughly 1.5× further than at home.
Price levels in South Korea run about 66% of US levels (World Bank PPP, 2025) — a dollar stretches roughly 1.5× further than at home.
Editorial daily-cost estimates
| City | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | $55 | $130 | $350 |
| Seoul | $45 | $110 | $300 |
Editorial estimates in USD per person per day, quoted from our editor-signed Tokyo budget guide and Seoul budget guide, not a measurement. Model a full trip in the cost comparison tool.
Depth of things to do
- Attractions & sights
- Attractions & sights: Tokyo 741, Seoul 382 in our verified catalog.
- Food & drink venues
- Food & drink venues: Tokyo 33,965, Seoul 19,647 in our verified catalog.
- Museums
- Museums: Tokyo 180, Seoul 91 in our verified catalog.
- Parks & gardens
- Parks & gardens: Tokyo 226, Seoul 117 in our verified catalog.
Tokyo's catalog is led by Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower.
Seoul's catalog is led by Changdeokgung, Jongmyo, Gyeongbokgung.
Counts from the TTDI verified venue catalog (every venue carries an external identity source). Catalog density partly reflects source coverage per city.
What's actually on
Our events feed has no coverage for either city yet.
From the live events feed we sync daily; listings exist only where measured coverage does.
Side by side
- Distance apart
- 1,152 km
- Time zones
- Same clock
- City population
- 13,960,000 vs 9,776,000
- Local language
- Japanese vs Korean
- Currency
- Japanese yen vs South Korean won
Or visit both
1,152 km apart, and plenty of trips pair them. One search covers the connection:
Book the connection
One search across trains, buses & flights: live times and prices for Tokyo ⇄ Seoul.
Answered from the data
Which is better to visit right now, in November?
Tokyo, on measured weather: Tokyo is good to Seoul's mixed.
Which is cheaper, Tokyo or Seoul?
World Bank PPP (country-level, not city prices) puts Tokyo's country at ~66% of US price levels and Seoul's at ~66% — an edge to Tokyo before you factor in season and neighborhood.
When should I pick Tokyo over Seoul?
Jul–Aug and Nov–Feb — measured weather favors Tokyo then.
When should I pick Seoul over Tokyo?
Mar–Jun and Sep–Oct — measured weather favors Seoul then.
Which has more to do?
In our verified catalog, Tokyo lists 741 attractions and 33,965 food & drink venues; Seoul lists 382 and 19,647.