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

Should you visit Ubud or Sapporo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Sapporo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ubud

Ubud is a famous, cultural, and breathtaking town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Ubud travel costs.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a vibrant, laid-back, and park-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Sapporo travel costs.

Ubud and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Sapporo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo. Although Ubud and Sapporo are popular destinations, Sapporo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sapporo is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, and big city activities, while Ubud attracts visitors for its food, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Ubud is more touristy than Sapporo and is popular for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. Sapporo is famous for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also well known for Odori Park.

How is Ubud different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Ubud or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Ubud is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. 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.

Ubud is not a skiing destination.

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Ubud or Sapporo.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ubud. The town is filled with temples and cultural sights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave), the Ubud Royal Palace, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum.

Sapporo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Ubud or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ubud is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Ubud have been singled out for their culinary prowess. You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sapporo makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Ubud or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Ubud has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is mostly focused on cultural activities and live music. Many people head here to escape the party scene that is so popular elsewhere on the island.

Is Ubud or Sapporo Better for Resorts?

Ubud is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Sapporo is not a resort destination.

Ubud is a world class resort vacation destination. You'll find beautiful luxury resorts with impressive pools and dramatic landscapes.

Sapporo is not a resort destination.

Is Ubud or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Ubud for the hiking trails. There are many stunning walks and hikes just outside of town. There are stunning views from Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk will take you through the rice paddies and Kajeng Rice Field Walk is close to town but tucked away from the crowds. One of the biggest draws of the area is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Sapporo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sapporo and Ubud.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ubud. Head to the Ubud shopping street for boutiques, markets, and local items. The town has grown into a shopper's paradise with many Balinese handicrafts around.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Ubud or Sapporo More Beautiful?

Ubud is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Sapporo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's a stunning setting, which makes it appealing to tourists, but to truly enjoy the beauty you'll want to get a bit outside of town.

Sapporo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ubud or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sapporo is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Ubud offers lots of family activities. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the jungles and rice paddies. There are also many great restaurants that are family-friend. Ubud is a bit cooler than the beach towns of Bali, so kids will enjoy an escape from the hotter temperatures.

Is Ubud or Sapporo Better for Couples?

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

Ubud is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Honeymooners flock to this small town for its stunning scenery and beautiful temples. There are luxury hotels, spas, massages, and poolside escapes that will make for the perfect honeymoon. You'll also find world class restaurants and breathtaking hikes in the area.

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 Ubud or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud and Sapporo are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ubud is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. If you need a break from the party scene on Bali, then you'll enjoy the reprieve of this small town. There are still plenty of backpackers and hostels, but the town itself offers a more relaxed setting.

Sapporo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Ubud or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a great destination for students. However, Ubud is not popular with students.

Many students visit Sapporo. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Ubud is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is a great destination for its public transit. However, Ubud is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ubud. Many people hire a vehicle or driver to explore the area. There are also tourist shuttles around with Perama Shuttle being one of the most established.

Is Ubud or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Ubud and Sapporo both are very good when exploring on foot.

Ubud is a very walkable destination. The town is generally walkable and easy to explore on foot, but you'll need other transportation if you want to get outside of town.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ubud and Sapporo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ubud than in Sapporo. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sapporo.

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

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

In Ubud, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in Ubud or Sapporo?

In Ubud, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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.

Five days in Ubud or Sapporo?

Ubud is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ubud has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the snowy 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.

A week in Ubud or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ubud. In Ubud, you'll find museums and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The snowy 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Ubud or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud 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.