About the rudeness of Hong Kong people, I think they have greatly improved since the economic crisis of 1997. In the mid-90's, it was totally horrible. But during recent visits, people actually make an effort to greet you, and appreciate your business.

I also agree with Swanhunter that the English skills of HK people get worse by the year.

I don't speak Japanese, and I've always found them to be the most helpful people in the world (at least towards tourists).

And tourists try to do it in one day. Tokyo is bigger and richer, it goes without saying that there is more there; I think your synopsis is spot-on. But it makes Tokyo a very frustrating city to visit if you don't have 6 months (or even a week)! To put it into context, both Hong Kong and Tokyo are must-see destinations, in the top-10 list for world tourism. Much better than Singapore and KL, for example -- those are several notches down.

I've been to both more than once. HKG over 15 times.

If you've never been to either, I vote for HKG. You'll stay very busy for three days and will be amazed. The English signage on the subways and the train to/from the airport much more clear in HKG than in TYO.

And ...... IMHO the best Cantonese food is the best food period.

Others may disagree, but they,as one says in HKG, fong chow pei. :p

While TYO does have some interesting sites, however HKG is a much better bet. As for those who speak about rudeness, there are all kinds. A HKG taxi driver will almost never turn down a fare, and if he doesn't understand you will call someone to translate. A Tokyo taxi driver will often not even let you into their taxi because you are a foreigner. You decide.

A terribly hypothetical scenario -- it's hard enough to get a subway and find an empty seat :p

(And no, Tokyo's subways aren't quite as bad as you've heard, I lived there for 4+ years and never saw one of the famous white-gloved pusher guys. But empty seats are still a rarity.)

Well I found a flight to HKG, LH is working out the details right now. Gonna spend 4 days there before heading to SYD for 10 and then to AKL for 7. Nice 3 week break away from reality.

Plan on taking my backpack and getting out of the cities (SYD and AKL that is), and just go explore.

Thank you for the suggestions.

People in Tokyo are MUCH more helpful than in HK despite the language barriers.

I've been to both and love both of them but if I were to choose, I'd choose Tokyo based on the fact I could spend a month there and find it hard to get bored.

HK's nice because you can also go to Macao and Mainland China as well. HK's only good for 2-3 days unless you do some sidetrips to either area.

Tokyo's more expensive but after 40 months of deflation.. it's not too bad. Then again, HK's been seeing a whopping 67 months of deflation.. so it's gotten real cheap there too.

I didn't read that you decided on HK but regardless, you should love either of them!

My flights are all booked - HKG it is. Have until the 4th to ticket, but will call back tomorrow and do so. I am there 4 days in total, first day will be jetlag so 3 days to explore, immerse in the culture etc., before heading back to OZ.

I'm going to disagree on this point. My experience has been exactly the opposite.

Enjoy HKG and have a great trip! Sounds like a great time.

Just keep in mind that there's plenty of places to take a stroll outside the city centre in HKG too (perhaps not on the level of what's available Down Under, but definitely enjoyable nonetheless). A stroll up to the Po Lin monastery or some of the costal walks in the New Territories are quite enjoyable (and I was surprised by the quality of some of the beaches too, again, not out of this world, but pleasant none the less, and certainly not too crowded up that way!)

I was there for 3 days and I saw one! (a white-gloved pusher guy, that is) I thought they were myth :) I stood back and, of course, waited for the next train. He even helped this lady tuck her handbag into the train as it was sticking out between the doors (she would've been very unhappy if it weren't for the "pusher's" services ;)). And no, I never saw an empty seat :D

Since you've already decided on HK, my point is moot but I will have to say that for a 3-4 day stopover, HK is far and away better than Tokyo. Just the trip from the airport to downtown alone exemplifies why Hong Kong is better for a short-term tourist in terms of ease-of-getting around. You will love Hong Kong but nothing will compare to Sydney :)

I know that is why I am going back to SYD. Right now I am trying to line up work so I can stay there for 4 months during my school break and get truly immersed in the city and culture. That city and country just do something for me.

Hong Kong on this trip is a bonus.

HKG is probably my favorite city on Earth. You made a great choice.

If I can suggest a place to stay, the Renaissance Hotel in the New World Centre (Kowloon) is in a great location at a reasonable price. It's literally across the street from the Peninsula, where they have an excellent afternoon tea!!

I hear ya. In addition to having a beautiful city and climate with amazing beaches and restaurants, Sydneysiders are beautiful people too! That's so unfair :D I was there 10 years ago for a month and it was the best one-month vacation ever. Best of luck in finding employment!

Adjudicating with authority
 

Let me provide my learned advice, having lived in both places sufficient amounts of time to form a dangerous opinion. I am generalizing (not stereotyping), but I need to do so to make my point.

People in Japan are very outwardly polite towards guests and visitors, especially white foreigners. They will go out of their way to show you their country and things to do, and can be very welcoming at a first level. The Japanese have great consideration for the welfare and feelings of others, especially in a public setting.

Hong Kongers, on the other hand, are more abrupt and rude, and have in general no regard for their fellow man (or woman) especially in a public setting. Ambling along on the sidewalks (or moving so fast that collision would result in certain death), rude cell phone manners, blocking escalators, not waiting for others to get on or off the bus or train, loud conversations at all hours of day and night, are common denominators to life in Hong Kong. Not as bad as Shanghai (queues? a Capitalist Running Dog tradition, most certainly), and not unbearable, but certainly noticed.

Having said that, the Japanese are in general, very insular, and hold judgmental opinions and perceptions about foreigners that are usually not positive. These opinions are for the most part kept to themselves, and as a tourist (and even a resident), you will not see them come up in conversation or behavior. But they do come up sometimes (e.g. the taxi example, or the fact they won't sit next to you or let you in their restaurant), and when they do, they are worse, since they are premeditated and willful.

In contrast, the Hong Kongers are democratic about their rudeness, and their view of foreigners (by virtue of their geography and history) is much more realistic and informed, leading to greater acceptance and ease of living and doing business.