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

Should you visit Kamakura or Sapporo?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Sapporo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a park-filled, snowy, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Kamakura and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Sapporo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sapporo than Kamakura. Sapporo is bigger than Kamakura, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sapporo is better known for its skiing, shopping, and big city activities, while Kamakura is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and hiking. Kamakura is well known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Sapporo is well known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. Also, Sapporo is famous for Odori Park.

How is Kamakura different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Kamakura is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. 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.

Kamakura is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Kamakura and Sapporo have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Kamakura offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Many visitors head to Sapporo specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Sapporo can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kamakura makes for a great culinary experience. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

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.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Both Kamakura and Sapporo are excellent when it comes to partying.

Kamakura offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kamakura. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura has an old town worth visiting. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Sapporo is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sapporo is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Sapporo is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Kamakura is a family-friendly coastal city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Sapporo make for a excellent place to visit.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Sapporo. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a well-known place for students. However, Kamakura is not popular with students.

Sapporo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Kamakura is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Sapporo. 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.

Kamakura has some public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Kamakura or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Sapporo is very walkable. 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.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Sapporo?

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

Families should spend more time in Sapporo than Kamakura. 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 Kamakura. 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 Kamakura 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 Kamakura or Sapporo?

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

Sapporo is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kamakura or Sapporo?

In Kamakura, 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 Kamakura has to offer.

Sapporo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sapporo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Sapporo?

Kamakura 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kamakura or Sapporo?

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

Sapporo is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura 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 Kamakura or Sapporo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kamakura or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Sapporo. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kamakura is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 25°C (77°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In the summer, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Sapporo. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Sapporo in the Autumn?

Both Sapporo and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Kamakura is much warmer than Sapporo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Sapporo in the winter. In the winter, Kamakura is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamakura in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).

In the winter, Kamakura often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.

Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kamakura usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Sapporo. The beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the activities around the city.

In April, Kamakura is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 14°C (58°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Kamakura