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

Should you visit Sendai or Sapporo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Sapporo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a snowy, vibrant, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Sendai and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Sapporo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Sendai, 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 Sendai is known for its beaches. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Sapporo is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park.

How is Sendai different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sendai or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

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

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Sapporo. 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.

Sendai is not a skiing destination.

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sendai and Sapporo.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sendai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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.

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

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sapporo has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Sendai or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Both Sendai and Sapporo have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

Sendai has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

The people in Sapporo know how to have a good time. 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 Sendai or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a city with good options for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Sapporo?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Sendai and Sapporo.

Sendai is well-known for its shopping. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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 Sendai or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sendai and Sapporo are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sendai is very family-friendly. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Sapporo is known to be 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 Sendai or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Sendai is a good city for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Sendai or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

Is Sendai or Sapporo Better for Students?

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

Sapporo is a great city to visit as a student. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Sendai and Sapporo.

The public transit in Sendai can get you around easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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 Sendai or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sendai and Sapporo are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Sendai is a very walkable city. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Sapporo?

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

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

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

In Sendai, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Sapporo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sendai or Sapporo?

In Sendai, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Sendai has to offer.

Sapporo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sendai or Sapporo?

Sendai 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sapporo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sendai or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the snowy big city of Sapporo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Sapporo, 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Sendai 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 Sendai or Sapporo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sendai or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Sapporo. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sendai is around the same temperature as Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Sapporo. Many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Sendai is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Sendai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sendai usually gets less rain in October than Sapporo. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sapporo can be very cold during winter. Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. Sendai is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

Sendai usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Sendai during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.

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

In the spring, Sendai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Sapporo. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Sendai