Both consist of the Cultures I happen to be interested the most at current and also my Top Destinations. When it comes to being my favorite in overall, I'll go with Japan but China is a pretty close second !!!!

I feel like Japan is idealistically venerated by western people, whereas China is somewhat unfairly maligned.

 Both are cool. Japan has an interesting culture and an admirable appreciation of beauty. It's also less authoritatian. China has a long, illustrious and influential history whereas Japan... Unique yeah, but not as influential, fewer innovations and inventions, many more atrocities committed against the Chinese and Korean people (Look up the Rape of Nanking. But only if you don't mind being scarred by some pictures on its Wikipedia page)

Anyway can't decide. I like both for different reasons.

I find Japan to be more interesting hehe :3

It feels sort of wrong for me to prefer Japan over China since I, myself, am Chinese.

I can't betray my family and relatives by choosing "the enemy", as my parents may put it.