Kyoto vs Tokyo: What is the Difference?

Kyoto vs. Tokyo, what is the difference? If you plan to visit one of the cities but can’t make the ultimate choice, here is everything you need to know about the two cities.

Kyoto and Tokyo are among the incredible cities in Japan that hold a rich historical background. Considering that their names tend to possess some similarities has always made many think that one of the cities borrowed a name from the other.

Let’s look at Kyoto vs. Tokyo and learn more about the two cities. The reason why these cities share names that are somehow similar is that the two have served as the country’s capital at one time.

Before Tokyo became the capital city of Japan, Kyoto was the country’s capital. Does it mean that Tokyo was therefore named after Kyoto? That’s not entirely true, but rather Kyoto and Tokyo share history in their names.

In Japanese, Kyoto means the imperial capital, while Tokyo means the east imperial capital. Hence, even though the two may be in different parts of Japan, the two cities have always been rivals in greatness.

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Major Differences between Kyoto and Tokyo

Even with almost similar names, these cities differ in many aspects. Here are some of the most common differences.

The History of Kyoto versus Tokyo

Kyoto existed long before Tokyo came into existence. According to some archeologists, Kyoto might have existed slightly before the sixth century. The Shimogamo Shrine, which you can visit in Kyoto, dates back to around the same time.

Nonetheless, despite the city’s age, the name Kyoto is not that old. Initially, it was known as Heian-Kyo, which meant “tranquility and peace capital” and was Japan’s capital.

However, in 1864, the city suffered from war and fires, which destroyed over 28,000 homes during the Hamaguri rebellion. During this restless period, Emperor Meiji moved from Heian-Kyo to Tokyo, thus making Tokyo the new capital.

As a move to rebuild the destroyed city back to its glory, the Emperor renamed Heian-Kyo to Kyoto in 1899. Just like Kyoto, Tokyo wasn’t the original name of the city. Initially, Tokyo was known as Edo, named after an estuary. Early in the 17^th century, Edo was doing fair enough as it significantly grew in terms of infrastructure, as well as its economy.

Unfortunately, Edo’s grand vision and prosperity were marred by fires, earthquakes, and floods. The setbacks, however, did not squash the promising city as Emperor Meiji settled in Edo in 1869 and gave it a new name, Tokyo. Later in 1889, the Emperor named Tokyo as the capital instead of Kyoto.

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Kyoto versus Tokyo Size

Tokyo is the largest city in Japan, as it covers an estimated area of 2,188 square kilometers. On the other hand, Kyoto city is way smaller compared to Tokyo city as it has a coverage of 827.83 square kilometers.

Transportation in Kyoto versus Tokyo

On a global scale, Tokyo is famous for its train network. The train is the conventional means of transportation in Tokyo, thanks to the state-of-the-art train network system. Within the city, most people depend on trains daily as the primary means of transport.

While in Kyoto, it is quite the opposite. Hardly would one hop into a train unless they are going beyond the city. Since Kyoto is a city that is quite small and compact, it would be easier to use buses or bicycles to move from one point to another. It is common to find students riding bikes to get around the city to save on transport costs.

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Culture

Tokyo is a great city to visit, and enjoy your stay if you can stand the hustle and bustle. It’s a city that offers the Asian pop culture experience, blending the Eastern and Western ways of life. Since it is a significant center of commerce in Japan, the city has skyscrapers stretching to the clouds and swanky cafés.

Additionally, Tokyo is a great hub for shopping as it is full of stores with the latest and hottest trends. The city is also full of neon lights and booming nightlife. If you want to experience the crazy things that people in the West say about Japan, Tokyo would be a better option.

On the other hand, if you feel attracted to and inspired by the traditional Japanese culture, then Kyoto would be a perfect choice. Kyoto offers an authentic Japanese culture as it’s full of shrines, temples, antique houses, and museums.

The city’s heritage is easily accessible and tangible, unlike Tokyo’s, which has been hidden and eroded by rigorous modern development. Kyoto is famous for the old Machiya (traditional houses) and has a rule restricting buildings to the height of a 5-story pagoda. This rule helps in preserving the cultural scenery of Kyoto city.

One reason Kyoto has been able to preserve the ancient structures and sceneries is that it wasn’t affected by the second world war. The Great Kano Earthquake that occurred in 1923 as well as the massive aerial bombing during the second world war, hugely destroyed Tokyo together with the ancient structures.

The main difference between Kyoto and Tokyo is rooted in the cultural aspect. While Kyoto offers an authentic traditional Japanese culture, Tokyo offers modernity.

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Tokyo vs Kyoto Population

Japan is among the countries that are regarded to be the most populous, with the most significant percentage of the population residing in the cities. The country’s capital happens to be the most populous metropolitan globally.

The city has a population of around 13.1 million inhabitants. Tokyo’s high population has dramatically facilitated the skyrocketing accommodation costs and rents, as well as small living spaces.

On the other hand, Kyoto is a city that is thought to be the first settlement in Japan, hosting around 1.4 million people. The population density of Kyoto is 1776 people/km^2, while Tokyo’s population density is 6,000 people/km². Kyoto is less populous than Tokyo, thus making it great for those that love some quiet area to cool off and re-energize.

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Kyoto vs Tokyo People

Whenever you visit Kyoto, people are generally warm and welcoming. However, due to their tight preservation of traditional Japanese culture, they might get offended if one fails to appreciate their culture.

They firmly hold these cultural practices as their source of identity. Additionally, people in Kyoto are more approachable and always ready to help. With 10% being students in local universities, it is easy to hold open conversations and share perspectives on various aspects of life.

Tokyo being a melting pot, is always full of life and diversity. The population is a mixture of locals, people from other parts of Japan, as well as different nationalities.

Most people tend to have an individualistic lifestyle. There are plenty of unique things to do in Tokyo given the diverse population and history.

Due to the diversity in Tokyo, people are more open-minded and not restrained to culture. Yet, those who regard themselves as Edokko, native Tokyo people, tend to be a little bit proud with a sense of ownership.

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Climate 

During winter, Kyoto is relatively colder than Tokyo. Kyoto is wedged in between mountains, thus making it a little bit colder. Another factor that causes Kyoto to experience colder winters than Tokyo is its altitude. Kyoto sits at 50-60 meters above sea level, while Tokyo sits at 40 meters above sea level.

During the summer, Kyoto happens to outdo Tokyo too. Temperatures are usually high in Tokyo with exhausting humidity. However, even though temperatures are higher in Kyoto during this period, the trees and greenery offer excellent recuperation, unlike the crowded city of Tokyo.

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Living in Kyoto vs Tokyo

Concerning living expenses, Tokyo is more expensive than Kyoto. The high cost of living is expected in every country’s capital, more so the developed nations. When comparing transport costs, accommodation, and food, Tokyo is around 30% more expensive than its rival.

For instance, you would spend 5,230 yen in a mid-range restaurant for two people in Tokyo for a three-course meal. In comparison, one would spend around 4,000 yen in a mid-range restaurant for a three-course lunch of two in Kyoto.

Regarding accommodation rates, Kyoto is quite cheap as you can rent a single-room apartment outside the city center for around 48,000 yen/week.

In Tokyo, to rent a single-room apartment outside the city center for a week, you’ll need around 77,853 yen. However, not everything is cheaper in Kyoto than in Tokyo. You may find that some foodstuffs are less expensive in Tokyo than they would be in Kyoto. In some aspects, transport costs are also more costly in Kyoto than in Tokyo.

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Food Comparison in the Two Cities

When running a comparison of two great cities, food hardly misses out on the comparison chart. Therefore, it will be unfair if I fail to mention the quality of cuisine in Kyoto as well as Tokyo.

Japan boasts of having some of the best dishes in the world, and with a wide variety, each region has its specific recipes. Traditional Japanese dishes mainly dominate Kyoto’s cuisine. You’ll be more likely to come across street food such as Monjayaki, Okonomiyaki, and Takoyaki.

Due to the diversity and modernization in Tokyo, there is a vast range of delicacies from Japan and around the globe. Tokyo has attracted worldwide restaurants and chefs from various parts of the world, thus giving it an upper hand.

Depending on your personal preference, it is easier to find your taste in Tokyo than in Kyoto. That does not mean that Kyoto lacks great food. If you like traditional Japanese cuisine, Kyoto will serve you well. But if you are looking for a wide variety or want to try new food, Tokyo will best fulfill your desires. These are the popular foods to eat in Japan, no matter your location.

Outdoors between the Two Cities

Kyoto’s outdoor experiences are calm and serene. If you love nature as well as beautiful landscapes, Kyoto will give you a memorable treat. You can take your time and enjoy the fresh air as you walk between the swaying bamboo trees.

Besides, you can also relax and take a breath in a quiet central park. Kyoto can also be an excellent destination for those that love adventure and exploring. It offers several spots to visit and experience authentic Japanese culture as you interact with the locals.

Tokyo, too, has quite a several parks. But unlike Kyoto’s parks, these parks are not as quiet. The locals normally flock to these parks for beer-fueled picnics as they lighten up in laughter. Occasionally, live music and bands would grace these green spaces.

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Conclusion

It’s quite hard to pick one city over the other. While Tokyo reveals Japan’s fast-paced life and modern culture, the other one reveals the calmer life in Japan. Kyoto and Tokyo uniquely contrast each other to offer great insights about Japan.

If you are trying to figure out how many days to spend in Tokyo vs Kyoto, start by listing your preferences for the trip. A minimum of two days would be perfect for Kyoto, while a minimum of three days would suit Tokyo. Well, if you have time, do both rather than debating on Kyoto vs Tokyo.

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