New York might be the city that never sleeps, but Japan's nocturnal scene isn't far behind. In a recent ranking by Travelbag of the world's most beautiful cities at night, Tokyo landed in an impressive second place, with Kyoto following close behind in sixth. It's a clear reminder of how captivating Japan can be once the sun goes down!
The Travelbag rankings were based on four key factors. Researchers looked at Instagram hashtag volumes to gauge how often travelers share nighttime snapshots from each city, giving a sense of visual appeal and popularity. They also considered noise and light pollution levels, with lower scores suggesting clearer skies and a more enjoyable nighttime environment. Safety was another major component, measured by how secure people feel walking alone after dark, using data from Numbeo. Finally, they examined the number of venues like bars, restaurants, and attractions that stay open late.
Tokyo often feels almost purpose-built for night tourism, boasting nearly 1,000 venues that stay open late and earning a solid nighttime safety score of 75.28 out of 100. Whether you want to grab a drink at Shinjuku's buzzing Golden Gai, hunt down a 24-hour ramen joint, or sip cocktails high above the city lights, the city offers a myriad of possibilities for after-dark adventures.
Meanwhile, Kyoto reveals a different side of noctourism. Unlike Tokyo's neon streets, many would agree that Kyoto's nighttime beauty comes from its quiet elegance, with ancient temples and lantern-lit lanes taking on a special glow after dark. Ranked sixth on Travelbag's list, Kyoto scored particularly well on night safety, with its score of 82.89 out of 100 only coming second to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
If you're visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, or both, keep the results of the Travelbag research in mind, and carve out time to explore the cities in a different way.
