A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapporo vs. Arrowtown for Skiing, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sapporo or Arrowtown?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sapporo and Arrowtown 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.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a snowy, vibrant, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and skiing. See Sapporo travel costs.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a quirky, historic, and charming town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife. See Arrowtown travel costs.

Sapporo and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapporo or Arrowtown?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Arrowtown, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sapporo is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and big city activities, while Arrowtown is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Sapporo is well known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. Also, Sapporo is famous for Odori Park. Arrowtown is well known for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes.

How is Sapporo different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Sapporo and Arrowtown are superb places to visit for winter sports such as skiing.

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.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

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

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

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

Foodies will find both Sapporo and Arrowtown both to be superb destinations.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arrowtown makes for a great culinary experience. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

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

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is a world-class destination for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Around Arrowtown visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapporo or Arrowtown?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sapporo and Arrowtown both offer plenty of superb spots.

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.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Both Sapporo and Arrowtown are superb to visit with kids.

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.

Arrowtown is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Both Sapporo and Arrowtown are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

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.

Arrowtown is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Sapporo and Arrowtown are superb places to visit.

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arrowtown. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown Better for Students?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Arrowtown is not popular with students.

Sapporo is very popular with students. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Arrowtown is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Sapporo is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Arrowtown, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Sapporo or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Sapporo is very walkable. 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.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Sapporo?

How long in Sapporo or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sapporo or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sapporo than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sapporo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

Families should spend more time in Sapporo than Arrowtown. 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 Arrowtown. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sapporo that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

People visit Sapporo because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Arrowtown is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

A weekend in Sapporo or Arrowtown?

People visit Sapporo because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown 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. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arrowtown has to offer.

Five days in Sapporo or Arrowtown?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant city of Sapporo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arrowtown 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.

A week in Sapporo or Arrowtown?

Sapporo is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arrowtown. Since Arrowtown is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Sapporo and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown 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. Even though Sapporo is in Asia and Arrowtown is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sapporo or Arrowtown?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 880 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Sapporo and Arrowtown, 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.