FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,163
Hakodate is one of the neatest mid-sized towns in Japan. Food, really neat history, natural beauty, funky vibe, are all there. Hakodate is not a "mega-hangout" kind of town. Personally, if I had to pick between the two as a tourist, I'd take Hakodate over Sapporo any day.
But given what you're looking to do, I'd say Sapporo is a better bet for you. Although you'd be missing out. Otaru is only a partial substitute for Hakodate, although it's also pretty neat. Otaru has an excellent rail museum and an aquarium, if you're into that kind of stuff.