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

Should you visit Yokohama or Sapporo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama 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.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a laid-back, diverse, and bright city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a vibrant, laid-back, and park-filled city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Yokohama and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Sapporo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Sapporo than Yokohama. While Yokohama is larger than Sapporo, Sapporo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sapporo is more touristy than Yokohama and is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. Also, Sapporo is famous for Odori Park. Yokohama is well known for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night.

How is Yokohama different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Yokohama or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is well known for winter skiing. However, Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Yokohama and Sapporo have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yokohama can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

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 Yokohama or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Yokohama and Sapporo.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Yokohama makes for a great culinary experience. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

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.

Is Yokohama or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Yokohama and Sapporo.

Yokohama is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Many people head to Sapporo for the nightlife scene. 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 the Shopping Better in Yokohama or Sapporo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sapporo and Yokohama.

Yokohama is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Sapporo is well-known for its shopping. 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 Yokohama or Sapporo Better for Families?

Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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 Yokohama or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Yokohama and Sapporo are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Yokohama frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

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.

Is Yokohama or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is well known for backpackers. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Yokohama is a good city to visit for backpackers. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Is Yokohama or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is well known for students. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Yokohama. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Yokohama and Sapporo.

Public transit in Yokohama is fairly effecient and thorough. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

Sapporo has some very good public transit options. 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 Yokohama or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Yokohama and Sapporo both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Yokohama is very walkable. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Sapporo is a very walkable city. 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 Yokohama Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Yokohama and Sapporo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sapporo than in Yokohama. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Yokohama, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sapporo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sapporo than Yokohama. 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 Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Sapporo?

Because Yokohama is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Sapporo offers museums and skiing. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Yokohama or Sapporo?

Because Yokohama 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 Yokohama has to offer.

Sapporo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sapporo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Yokohama or Sapporo?

Yokohama 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.

Sapporo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Yokohama or Sapporo?

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

Sapporo is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yokohama and Sapporo, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. And not only is Sapporo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapporo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapporo 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama than you might in Sapporo.

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

Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Sapporo?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Sapporo. When comparing the sizes of Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Sapporo?

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 Yokohama or Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Yokohama during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Yokohama is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 25°C (78°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In the summer, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Sapporo. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yokohama. Yokohama usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Sapporo. Many travelers come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Yokohama is much warmer than Sapporo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Yokohama gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yokohama or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Sapporo. Many visitors come to Yokohama in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. In the winter, Yokohama is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yokohama in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).

In the winter, Yokohama often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Yokohama usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.

In April, Yokohama is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 14°C (58°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In April, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Yokohama