A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Chichibu-Tama-Kai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? 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.

Where Should I go: Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Located at the intersection of the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo Prefectures, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a national park in Japan webbed with hiking trails and many ancient shrines. Mount Mitake, Mount Mitsumine, and Mount Mito are just three of the eight peaks that tower above the park at over 2000 meters, while rivers sources flowing below include the Arakawa River, Shinano River, Tama River, and Fuefuki River (Fuji River).

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, 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 Sandakan and Chichibu-Tama-Kai, we can see that Chichibu-Tama-Kai is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chichibu-Tama-Kai than you might in Sandakan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sandakan Expensive? and Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 27°C (81°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Autumn?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Sandakan is much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Winter?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Sandakan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chichibu-Tama-Kai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the winter. In the winter, Sandakan is much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sandakan in January average around 26°C (80°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages at about 4°C (39°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the natural beauty.

In April, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Sandakan