A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Atami vs. Sapporo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Atami or Sapporo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Sapporo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Atami

Atami is a authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a snowy, vibrant, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the skiing, nightlife, and food.

Atami and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Sapporo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sapporo. Although Atami and Sapporo are both popular with visitors, Sapporo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Atami is known for its beaches. Sapporo is more touristy than Atami and is known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sapporo and Atami. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Atami is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Sapporo. There are many great ski areas that are an easy day trip from the center of town. Very close by you'll find Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Teine is where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held. It's divided into the family-friendly Olympia Zone and the more advanced Highland Zone.

Atami is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sapporo. There are a number of shrines and museums in the city. Make sure you check out Hokkaidō Shrine, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and the Sapporo Science Center.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sapporo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The local cuisine focuses on the world class fishing in the area as well as the great agriculture. Pork is a common meat ingredient and many dishes include ramen, vegetables, or grilled seafood.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Sapporo has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's nightlife scene is laid back and mostly concentrated in the Susukino area. In particular, King Xmhu is famous for its party nights and wild decor.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

Atami is a town with good options for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Atami. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Sapporo is well-known for its shopping. Shopping malls are the most popular places to enjoy browsing the stores. This is particularly nice during the snowy winter months when you can escape into the heated malls.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sapporo is very family-friendly. The city has many activities for families, any time of year. There's skiing and winter sports in the winter and theme parks and camping in the summer. There's also a Puppet Theater and indoor play areas for when the weather is poor.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Sapporo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the parks, gardens, museums, and winter sports in the area. A highlight for everyone is a visit to the famous Sapporo Snow Festival, which features many ice sculptures.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Sapporo. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Atami is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Sapporo. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Atami is not popular with students.

Is Atami or Sapporo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sapporo is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Sapporo can get you around easily. Most visitors use the subway system to get around. There are three lines - the Namboku Line, Tozai Line, and Toho Line- all of which pass through Odori Station. The city also has a streetcar and buses.

You'll find some public transit in Atami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Atami or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Sapporo is a very walkable city. The city center, where you'll find many of the attractions, is walkable. Susukino Station is about a 20 or 30 minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.

Atami is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Atami?

How long in Atami or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atami and Sapporo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sapporo than in Atami. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sapporo.

Families should spend more time in Sapporo than Atami. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sapporo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sapporo than Atami. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sapporo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Atami if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sapporo.

One day in Atami or Sapporo?

In Atami, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Each neighborhood in Sapporo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atami or Sapporo?

In Atami, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atami has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sapporo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Sapporo?

Atami is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Sapporo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Sapporo. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and skiing around the park-filled big city of Sapporo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atami and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Atami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atami and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sapporo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sapporo than you might in Atami.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atami Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Atami or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Sapporo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Atami or Sapporo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Atami or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Atami and Sapporo. The summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

In the summer, Atami is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atami in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

Atami usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during summer. Atami gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atami usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atami or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Atami as well as Sapporo. The shopping scene are the main draw to Atami this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Atami is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 18°C (64°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Atami often gets less sunshine than Sapporo. Atami gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Atami usually gets more rain in October than Sapporo. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atami or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Atami are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sapporo can get quite cold in the winter. Atami is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

Atami usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during winter. Atami gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In January, Atami usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atami or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Atami during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Atami is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atami in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Atami often gets less sunshine than Sapporo. Atami gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. Atami usually gets more rain in April than Sapporo. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Atami