Originally Posted by
evergrn
... In terms of food quality/selection, hanging out and shopping, is Sapporo-vs-Hakodate less of a dropoff than Fukuoka-vs-Nagasaki?
Tough question. Food in Hakodate is wonderful, especially if you like seafood, but options are more limited as compared to the many restaurants in Sapporo. As for "hanging-out and shopping," I don't do those things so can't really comment. As for Fukuoka versus Nagasaki, I
vastly preferred Nagasaki, so there you have it.
For kids, Sapporo will have more and more modern malls and kid-type attractions. The clock-tower park would be a good place to run and play and the tram to the top of Mt. Moiwa would be fun. I saw it as a photo op. Kids will see it as a big amusement park ride.