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

Should you visit Matsue 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 Matsue 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.

Matsue

Matsue is a quiet, peaceful, and pretty town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

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 skiing, nightlife, and food.

Matsue and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Sapporo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Matsue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Sapporo is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park.

How is Matsue different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Matsue or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a skiing destination.

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Matsue and Sapporo.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Matsue. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Matsue. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Sapporo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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 Matsue or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Matsue or Sapporo Better for its Old Town?

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

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Matsue or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sapporo is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue 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.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Matsue or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Sapporo is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Sapporo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Matsue or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue 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 backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Matsue or Sapporo Better for Students?

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

Matsue is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Matsue and Sapporo.

Public transit in Matsue can get you to some places easily. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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.

Is Matsue or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Matsue and Sapporo both are great when exploring on foot.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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 Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Matsue and Sapporo. In our opinion, Sapporo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sapporo than Matsue. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

In Matsue, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Sapporo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Matsue or Sapporo?

In Matsue, 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 Matsue has to offer.

Sapporo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Sapporo?

Matsue 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sapporo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Sapporo?

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

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the laid-back big city of Sapporo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Sapporo?

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

Both Sapporo and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

In the summer, Matsue is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. In the summer, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Matsue gets 201 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 Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Sapporo. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Matsue is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Matsue usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Sapporo. Many travelers come to Matsue 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. Matsue is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Sapporo. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Sapporo. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Matsue is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Matsue