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

Should you visit Kobe or Sapporo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kobe and Sapporo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kobe

Kobe is a under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kobe travel costs.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a laid-back, park-filled, and snowy city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Sapporo travel costs.

Kobe and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Sapporo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sapporo than Kobe. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sapporo is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also well known for Odori Park. Kobe is famous for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Kobe or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is great for skiing. However, Kobe is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. 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.

Kobe is not a skiing destination.

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

Sapporo is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Sapporo can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Kobe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sapporo makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Kobe or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is great for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Sapporo for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Sapporo?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Sapporo both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kobe. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

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.

Is Kobe or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sapporo is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sapporo. 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.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Kobe or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Sapporo is great for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Sapporo is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Kobe or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Is Kobe or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

Many students visit Sapporo. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Kobe is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

Kobe has a few public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Kobe or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Sapporo is a very walkable destination. 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.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Sapporo?

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

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

In Kobe, you'll find nightlife and food. This 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 destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kobe or Sapporo?

In Kobe, 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 Kobe has to offer.

Sapporo is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Sapporo?

Kobe 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the park-filled big city of Sapporo. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Sapporo?

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

The laid-back city of Sapporo offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Kobe 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 Kobe Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Kobe 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 Kobe 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 Kobe or Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Kobe is a little warmer than Sapporo in the summer. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Kobe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Kobe. In July, Kobe usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Sapporo in the Autumn?

Both Sapporo and Kobe during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

In the autumn, Kobe is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kobe in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Sapporo averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun.

Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets less rain in October than Sapporo. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Sapporo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sapporo. In January, Kobe is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 5°C (42°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

Kobe usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Sapporo. Many travelers come to Kobe for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Sapporo in the spring for the activities around the city.

Kobe is much warmer than Sapporo in the spring. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Sapporo. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Kobe