A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Sapporo vs. Sado for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sapporo or Sado?

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 Sado 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 park-filled, snowy, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Sado

Sado is a off-the-beaten-path, traditional, and cultural island. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Sapporo and Sado: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapporo or Sado?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Sado, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sapporo is better known for its skiing, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Sado is more popular for its hiking. Sapporo is more touristy than Sado and is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. Also, Sapporo is famous for Odori Park. Sado is well known for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis.

How is Sapporo different from Sado?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sapporo or Sado Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is notable for snow skiing. However, Sado is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other 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.

Sado is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Sado 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 Sado. The former gold mines are open to the public and fascinating to explore. For a traditional town, head to Shukunegi, which has narrow alleys and historic homes. Also worth a visit is the Sado History Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Sapporo and Sado both to be excellent 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, Sado makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.

Is Sapporo or Sado Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is notable for nightlife. However, Sado is a mediocre island for nightlife and partying.

Sapporo has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Sado doesn't offer many options. This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.

Is Sapporo or Sado Better for Hiking?

Sado is a great island for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Sado for the hiking trails. There is wonderful hiking on the island. Head to the Osado Mountain Range for wildflowers and spectacular views and scenery.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapporo or Sado?

Sapporo is notable for shopping. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its shopping opportunities.

Sapporo is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Sado has some nice offerings. You'll find shops where you can pick up any necessities that you may have forgotten. There are also souvenir shops where you can find local items to remember your trip.

Is Sapporo or Sado Better for Families?

Sapporo is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Sado is a family-friendly city. The former gold mines are fascinating and open to the public. There are also parks and interesting wildlife such as the Japanese ibis that you can see.

Is Sapporo or Sado Better for Couples?

Sapporo is notable for romance. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Sado makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area's history and nature make it a unique place for a couple's trip. There are museums, and outdoor spaces that you visit as well as the interesting mines.

Is Sapporo or Sado Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is notable for backpackers. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Sado is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels as well as guesthouses that backpackers can stay at while they're in town.

Is Sapporo or Sado Better for Students?

Sapporo is notable for students. However, Sado 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.

Sado is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is notable for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Sapporo can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Public transit is quite limited in Sado. There are no trains on the island and the bus routes are infrequent and slow. You really must have a car to explore the area.

Is Sapporo or Sado a more walkable city?

Sapporo is notable for its walkability. However, Sado is a mediocre island 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.

Sado is not a very walkable city. The island isn't particularly walkable, so you'll want to have a vehicle to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Sado or Sapporo?

How long in Sapporo or Sado?

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

Families should spend more time in Sapporo than Sado. 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 Sado. 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 Sado 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 Sado?

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.

In Sado, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This island 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 Sado?

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.

In Sado, you'll find museums and food. 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 Sado has to offer.

Five days in Sapporo or Sado?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant 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.

Sado 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 Sado?

The park-filled 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sado. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Sado. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Sapporo or Sado?

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 Sapporo or Sado in the Summer?

Both Sado and Sapporo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sado in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sapporo is cooler than Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sapporo in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In the summer, Sapporo often gets less sunshine than Sado. Sapporo gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sapporo usually gets less rain in July than Sado. Sapporo gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sapporo or Sado in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sapporo and Sado. Many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Sapporo is generally cooler than Sado. Daily temperatures in Sapporo average around 11°C (52°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Sapporo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sado during autumn. Sapporo gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sapporo usually receives less rain than Sado. Sapporo gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sapporo or Sado in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sapporo as well as Sado. Most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Sado because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sado can be very cold. Sapporo can be very cold during winter. Sapporo is much colder than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Sapporo averages around -5°C (24°F) in January, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Sapporo often gets more sunshine than Sado. Sapporo gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sapporo usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Sapporo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sapporo or Sado in the Spring?

Both Sado and Sapporo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Sapporo is much colder than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sapporo in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F).

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In April, Sapporo usually receives less rain than Sado. Sapporo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sado and Sapporo