We need to decide between a stopover on our way to Thailand and our choices are either Japan or Hong Kong. Any recommendations?

Kevin, it really depends on how much time you've got and what you're looking to do. If you've only got a short stopover, I'd suggest Hong Kong as it's very compact, and you can visit a lot of the major points of interest in a couple of days. If you've got more time, I'd spend it exploring Tokyo.

I just LOVE Hong Kong. You don't say where in Japan you would go. If it was between HK or Tokyo, I would choose HK. It is more scenic and relaxing than Tokyo, which is more hustle-bustle.

Hi, Kevin - go for Japan! (I'm going for my 8th trip next year!) It's honest, polite, punctual, helpful, superbly organised, efficient, ancient and modern combined, and a shopper's dream ! Busy, yes, but chaotic, definitely NOT. If you only get a short time, try Asakusa area in Tokyo, or anywhere in Kyoto. <BR>Good luck !

you could see hk in 2days due to it`s small size: stanley mk, the peak, hollywood road. it`s a big chinatown. really easy to get around, airport to city, easiest in the word, cheap cabs. lodging may be shaky, suggest ymca on bonham road (brand new and cheap rates, close to central). try dimsum at Dimsum Rest in happy valley. if you got the time, go to tokyo. i am visiting tokyo now. little bit of hassel to travel within the city and getting to the city from airport. but definitely it is totally distinct in its culture and atitude from rest of asia. great place to visit as well but only if you have more than 2 day.

I live in HK and visited Japan twice. <BR> <BR>depending on how much time you have.. as others have pointed out you can see hk in a couple of days. <BR> <BR>Bear in mind that it's a long way from Narita airport to Tokyo center. If you have time, go to Japan!

One practical point in favour of a stopover in Japan: it breaks up the trip more evenly. It's about 10 hrs to Tokyo from the west coast of North America, as opposed to 14 hrs to Hong Kong. Tokyo to Bangkok is about 6 hrs.