Visiting Tokyo and Paris as a Culture Lover
If you are a culture lover, you might be wondering which city to visit next: Tokyo or Paris? Both cities have a lot to offer in terms of cultural attractions, museums, and history, but they also have some differences that might affect your decision. In this blog post, we will compare, and contrast Tokyo and Paris based on some factors that you should consider before booking your trip.
Number of Cultural Attractions
According to a study by the World Cities Culture Forum, Tokyo has the highest number of cultural attractions among 40 global cities, with 8,805 venues. These include theaters, cinemas, concert halls, libraries, art galleries, museums, and heritage sites. Paris ranks second with 4,206 venues, followed by London with 3,704. This means that Tokyo has more than twice as many cultural attractions as Paris, giving you more options to explore and enjoy.
However, quantity does not necessarily mean quality. Some of the cultural attractions in Tokyo might not be as appealing or accessible to foreign visitors as those in Paris. For example, many of the theaters and cinemas in Tokyo show Japanese-language productions or films with no subtitles. Some of the museums and heritage sites might have limited information or guides in English or other languages. On the other hand, Paris has a long tradition of welcoming international tourists and offering them a rich and diverse cultural experience. Many of the venues in Paris have multilingual staff, audio guides, or brochures to help you appreciate the art and history of the city.
Number of Museums
Another way to measure the cultural richness of a city is by looking at the number of museums it has. Museums are places where you can learn about the history, culture, science, and art of a region or a topic. According to Statista, the United States has the highest number of museums in the world as of March 2021, with 33,082 institutions. Germany ranks second with 6,741 museums, followed by Japan with 5,738. China and Russia are close behind with 5,535 and 5,415 museums respectively. France has 4,811 museums, while Italy has 3,195. The UK and Northern Ireland have 3,183 museums combined.
Based on these numbers, you might think that Japan has more museums than France, but this is not necessarily true. The definition of a museum varies from country to country and from source to source. Some countries might include smaller or less formal institutions in their count, while others might exclude them. For example, Japan counts some temples and shrines as museums because they display religious artifacts or paintings. France does not include these types of venues in its count.
A more reliable way to compare the number of museums in different cities is by looking at the most visited ones. According to The Art Newspaper's annual survey of museum attendance from 2019 to 2021, the Louvre in Paris has been the most visited museum in the world for three consecutive years. It attracted 9.6 million visitors in 2019, 2.7 million visitors in 2020 (despite being closed for most of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic), and 2.83 million visitors in 2021. The National Museum of China in Beijing ranks second with 7.39 million visitors in 2019, 1.6 million visitors in 2020, and 2.38 million visitors in 2021. The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum ranks third with 4.82 million visitors in 2019, 1.35 million visitors in 2020, and 2.37 million visitors in 2021.
Tokyo does not have any museum that ranks among the top ten most visited museums in the world from 2019 to 2021. The most visited museum in Tokyo is the Tokyo National Museum (TNM), which attracted about 2 million visitors in 2019 (according to its official website). However, this number dropped to about 800 thousand visitors in 2020 and about 600 thousand visitors in 2021 due to the pandemic and the state of emergency measures imposed by the Japanese government.
This means that Paris has more popular and prestigious museums than Tokyo, and that you are more likely to find something that interests you or matches your taste in Paris than in Tokyo.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Tokyo and Paris
Based on the above factors, we can summarize some of the pros and cons of visiting Tokyo and Paris as follows:
Pros of visiting Tokyo:
- More cultural attractions than any other city in the world
- A unique blend of modern and traditional culture
- A safe and clean city with efficient public transportation
- A variety of cuisine and street food options from sushi to ramen to even French
- A vibrant nightlife with karaoke bars, clubs, and izakayas
Cons of visiting Tokyo:
- Fewer museums than Paris and none among the top ten most visited ones
- Language barrier and limited information for foreign visitors
- High cost of living and accommodation
- Crowded and noisy city with limited green spaces
- Long distance and expensive flight from Europe or North America
Pros of visiting Paris:
- The most visited museum in the world and several others among the top ten
- A rich and diverse cultural heritage with influences from different periods and regions
- A romantic and elegant city with iconic landmarks and architecture
- A gastronomic capital with famous restaurants, cafes, and bakeries
- A central location and easy access from other European countries
Cons of visiting Paris:
- Fewer cultural attractions than Tokyo and less variety
- A less safe and clean city with frequent strikes and protests
- A language barrier and sometimes unfriendly attitude towards tourists
- High cost of living and accommodation
- Crowded and noisy city with limited green spaces
Factors to Consider Before Visiting Tokyo or Paris
Before you decide which city to visit, you should consider some factors that might affect your travel experience. These include:
- Your budget: Both Tokyo and Paris are expensive cities to visit, especially if you want to stay in a decent hotel, eat out, and visit the main attractions. You should compare the prices of flights, accommodation, transportation, food, and admission fees before you book your trip. You might also want to look for discounts, deals, or packages that can save you some money.
- Your time: How long do you plan to stay in the city? Do you have enough time to see everything you want to see? Do you want to visit other places nearby or in the same country? You should make a list of the things you want to do and see in each city and prioritize them according to your preferences. You might also want to check the opening hours, days (many places are closed on Sundays), and seasons of the attractions you want to visit, as some of them might be closed or have limited access at certain times.
- Your interests: What are you interested in? Art, history, science, culture, cuisine, adult beverages, entertainment, or something else? You should choose the city that offers more of what you like or what you want to learn about. You might also want to research the events, festivals, exhibitions, or shows that are happening in each city during your visit, as they might enhance your experience or introduce you to something new.
- Your expectations: What do you expect from your trip? Do you want to have a relaxing or an adventurous time? Do you want to meet new people or enjoy some solitude? Do you want to follow a planned itinerary or be spontaneous? You should choose the city that matches your personality and mood.
Which city to choose?
Tokyo and Paris are both amazing cities that have a lot to offer to culture lovers. However, they also have some differences that might make one more suitable for you than the other. You should compare and contrast them based on some factors such as the number of cultural attractions, museums, pros and cons, budget, time, interests, expectations, etc. before you make your final decision. Whichever city you choose, it’ll be an experience to remember, and if you are indecisive like me, pick both!