A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapporo vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Sapporo or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the skiing, nightlife, and food.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Sapporo and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapporo or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sapporo than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sapporo is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Sapporo is famous for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also well known for Odori Park. Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Sapporo different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sapporo or Rotorua Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Rotorua is not a skiing destination.

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.

Rotorua is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Rotorua and Sapporo.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Foodies will find both Sapporo and Rotorua both to be great 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, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Sapporo or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Sapporo or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a great town for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapporo or Rotorua?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Sapporo or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Sapporo is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Sapporo or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Sapporo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Sapporo or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Sapporo. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Sapporo or Rotorua Better for Students?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

Is Sapporo or Rotorua 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, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Sapporo or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Sapporo?

How long in Sapporo or Rotorua?

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

Families should spend more time in Rotorua than Sapporo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotorua, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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.

In Rotorua, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Sapporo or Rotorua?

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.

In Rotorua, 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 Rotorua has to offer.

Five days in Sapporo or Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua 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.

A week in Sapporo or Rotorua?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotorua. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotorua. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Sapporo and Rotorua, we can see that Sapporo 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sapporo or Rotorua?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Sapporo and Rotorua, 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 Sapporo or Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Sapporo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sapporo or Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sapporo and Rotorua. The summer months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

Sapporo is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Sapporo averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

In July, Sapporo usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Sapporo gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sapporo or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sapporo as well as Rotorua. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sapporo is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sapporo in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sapporo usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Sapporo gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sapporo or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Sapporo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sapporo. In January, Sapporo is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Sapporo average around -5°C (24°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. In January, Sapporo usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Sapporo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sapporo or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Sapporo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sapporo in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

Sapporo is much colder than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Sapporo averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

Sapporo usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Sapporo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Sapporo