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

Should you visit Nara or Sapporo?

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

Should I visit Nara 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.

Nara

Nara is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a park-filled, snowy, and vibrant 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Nara and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Sapporo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Nara, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, food, and big city activities, while Nara is known for its historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sapporo is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park. Nara is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Nara different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nara or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is notable for snow skiing. However, Nara 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.

Nara is not a skiing destination.

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Nara and Sapporo.

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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 Nara or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapporo is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Nara or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Nara and Sapporo.

Nara has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Sapporo has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Nara or Sapporo Better for its Old Town?

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

Nara has an old town worth visiting. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Is Nara or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Nara is a great city for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nara for the hiking trails. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Sapporo?

Both Nara and Sapporo are excellent shopping destinations.

Nara is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sapporo. 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 Nara or Sapporo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nara or Sapporo.

Nara is a very kid-friendly city. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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.

Is Nara or Sapporo Better for Couples?

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

Nara is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

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 Nara or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is notable for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Nara is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Is Nara or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is notable for students. However, Nara 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.

Nara is not popular with students.

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

Both Nara and Sapporo offer excellent public transit options.

The public transit in Nara can get you around easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Sapporo offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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 Nara or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Nara and Sapporo both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring 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 Nara Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Nara?

How long in Nara or Sapporo?

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

Families should spend more time in Sapporo than Nara. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Nara 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 Nara or Sapporo?

In Nara, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Nara or Sapporo?

In Nara, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nara 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 Nara or Sapporo?

Nara is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 snowy 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 Nara or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Nara 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 Nara 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 Nara or Sapporo in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Nara is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nara in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

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

Nara receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nara usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Sapporo in the Autumn?

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

In October, Nara is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 17°C (63°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Nara usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during autumn. Nara gets 159 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 Nara. In October, Nara usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sapporo. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nara or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Nara during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Nara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. The weather in Nara can be very cold. Nara is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

In the winter, Nara often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Nara gets 140 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. Nara usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Sapporo. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nara this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sapporo for the activities around the city.

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

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

Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nara usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Nara