Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Sapporo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Sapporo 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.
Where Should I go: Hongcun or Sapporo?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
Sapporo
Capital of the northern Japanese island Hokkaido, Sapporo is a city surrounded by mountains and known for its beer, skiing, and annual snow festival with stunning ice sculptures. As host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the city limits are dotted with ski jumps, hills, and popular ski resorts still in use today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Hongcun Prices
China PricesSapporo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $67Sapporo $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $67, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $132. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hongcun and Sapporo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Sapporo $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Sapporo $130
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Sapporo
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Sapporo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sapporo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Sapporo $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $93
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $113
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $132
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
- Private Departure Transfer : Sapporo City to New Chitose Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from Muroran Cruise Port to Sapporo Airport(CTS): $274
- New Chitose Airport (CTS) Private Transfer: $284
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Sapporo?
Prices for flights to both Sapporo and Hongcun change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHongcun $33Sapporo $54
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.91
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo
For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Japanese Cooking Class in Sapporo with Local Host Kanae: $72
- Japanese Cooking Class in the Heart of Sapporo with Sakura: $72
- Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local: $82
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $97
- Hands-on Japanese Home Cooking Class in Sapporo with Noriko: $108
- Sapporo Night Food Tour: 3 Hidden Restaurants with a Foodie Guide: $218
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Sapporo $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Tours and Activities in Sapporo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.
- JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.33
- Sapporo TV Tower Admission Ticket: $6.76
- Historical Village of Hokkaido Entry Ticket: $6.76
- JR Tower Observation Deck T38 Ticket in Hokkaido: $9.00
- Sapporo Highlights: Golden Route Morning Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Sapporo Highlights: Golden Route Morning Walking Tour: $31
- Hokkaido Shrine Tour with Rituals, History & Sweets: $43
- Tour of the Historic Red Brick Government Office: $50
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $55
- Beer Museum Tour with Tasting of Local Brews: $57
- Sapporo Walking Tour: $61
- Authentic Nijo Market Seafood Lunch & History Tour: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Sapporo $8.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Sapporo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sapporo:
- Sapporo Tour in the Port City of Otaru and Local beer brewery: $174
- 1-Day Tour The port city of Otaru & Local Brewery: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun or Sapporo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Sapporo. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.
Hongcun is a little warmer than Sapporo in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Sapporo 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Sapporo in the Autumn?
Both Sapporo and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Hongcun is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Sapporo averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In October, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Sapporo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Sapporo in the Winter?
Both Sapporo and Hongcun during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sapporo in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sapporo can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In January, Hongcun is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).
Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Sapporo -5°C (24°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Sapporo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Sapporo. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sapporo for the activities around the city during these months.
Hongcun is much warmer than Sapporo in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Sapporo 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Sapporo and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Sapporo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.