A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Koyasan vs. Sapporo for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Koyasan 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 Koyasan 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.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a serene, spiritual, and traditional town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a vibrant, laid-back, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Koyasan and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Sapporo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sapporo. Although Koyasan and Sapporo are both popular with visitors, Sapporo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koyasan is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Sapporo is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park.

How is Koyasan different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Koyasan is not a skiing destination.

People head to Sapporo specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and 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.

Koyasan is not a skiing destination.

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Koyasan and Sapporo.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

Sapporo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Koyasan or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapporo is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sapporo. 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.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Sapporo know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a great town for its historic old town charm. However, Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a town with good options for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Koyasan. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Sapporo is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sapporo is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Sapporo is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Sapporo both very good destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Koyasan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

Sapporo is a great town 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.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sapporo is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a great destination for students. However, Koyasan 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.

Koyasan is not popular with students.

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

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

Sapporo has some very good public transit options. 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.

While Koyasan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Is Koyasan or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Koyasan and Sapporo both are very good when exploring on foot.

Koyasan is a very walkable town. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Sapporo?

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

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

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Because Sapporo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Koyasan or Sapporo?

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koyasan has to offer.

Because Sapporo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Sapporo has to offer.

Five days in Koyasan or Sapporo?

Koyasan is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 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.

A week in Koyasan or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. Since Koyasan is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koyasan and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Koyasan.

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan 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 Koyasan or Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Koyasan during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, 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.

In the summer, Koyasan is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koyasan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In the summer, Koyasan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Sapporo. The autumn months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

In October, Koyasan is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 19°C (65°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during autumn. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Sapporo. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, 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. Koyasan is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

In the winter, Koyasan often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koyasan is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koyasan in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during spring. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In April, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Koyasan