City comparison
Tokyo vs Beijing air quality
Live AQI comparison between Tokyo and Beijing. Data updates every 15 minutes.
Tokyo and Beijing differ by 83 AQI points right now. Tokyo has cleaner air at this moment.
What drives air quality in Tokyo and Beijing
Tokyo
Tokyo generally maintains moderate air quality for a megacity, but exposure still varies around major highways, dense rail hubs, and industrial bayside areas. Nitrogen dioxide remains a roadside concern during commuting peaks. Urban heat and building density can shape local dispersion, creating noticeable differences between districts and waterfront zones.
Beijing
Beijing's air quality reflects both urban emissions and regional transport within a broad northern plain setting. Traffic and combustion sources remain important, but citywide episodes often involve secondary particle formation and imported pollution. Under unfavorable meteorology, concentrations can increase rapidly and persist despite local control measures.
Both cities are shaped by different combinations of traffic density, terrain, weather patterns, and seasonal events, which is why the same AQI band can feel different on the ground. Checking live readings rather than relying on reputation or past visits is the most reliable way to plan travel, exercise, or outdoor time between the two.
Live AQI from Open-Meteo (CAMS). Conditions change hourly — refresh for the latest readings. South African cities may show WAQI station data on their dedicated pages.