A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alice Springs vs. Mashiko for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Alice Springs or Mashiko?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Alice Springs and Mashiko 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.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a outdoorsy, charming, and friendly town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Alice Springs attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Alice Springs travel costs.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a rural, quaint, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Mashiko travel costs.

Alice Springs and Mashiko: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alice Springs. Although Alice Springs and Mashiko are popular destinations, Alice Springs has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alice Springs is very popular for its nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Mashiko attracts visitors for its shopping and quaint atmosphere. Alice Springs is famous for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. It is also well known for Alice Springs Desert Park. Mashiko is famous for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making.

How is Alice Springs different from Mashiko?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Mashiko and Alice Springs.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Alice Springs. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

Mashiko is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that are focused on the local activities such as pottery. You can check out the Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum, the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, and the Entsuji Temple.

Is the Food Better in Alice Springs or Mashiko? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Alice Springs and Mashiko both to be nice destinations.

Alice Springs is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Mashiko offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around town that serve udon, soba, and other Japanese favorites that use local ingredients.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko Better for Nightlife?

Alice Springs is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Mashiko is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Alice Springs has a few options to choose from. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

Most people don't head to Mashiko specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a couple of bars and pubs around town, but not a huge nightlife scene.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko Better for Hiking?

Alice Springs is a world-class destination for hiking. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Known for its hiking, Alice Springs draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Mashiko. There are three mountains in the area with hiking trails that let you experience the Japanese countryside and natural beauty. These mountains are Mt. Amamakisan, Mt.Mitsudoyasan, and Mt. Takadateyama.

Is the Shopping Better in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

Mashiko is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Mashiko. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Alice Springs is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko More Beautiful?

Alice Springs is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Mashiko is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Alice Springs attracts visitors from all around. The surrounding area is filled with beautiful landscapes and dramatic views.

Mashiko is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko Better for Families?

Both Alice Springs and Mashiko are high quality to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Alice Springs. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Mashiko is a very family-friendly place to visit. Pottery is the claim to fame in this small town, and kids will thoroughly enjoy taking a children's pottery class. Its the perfect way to immerse them in the local culture in a fun and hands-on way. Farm life, and fruit picking are also popular here.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko Better for Couples?

Both Alice Springs and Mashiko are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Alice Springs is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

Mashiko is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with local farms, pottery, and sake. Many couples enjoy spending a few days soaking up the local atmosphere and enjoying the simple pleasures.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alice Springs is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mashiko is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Alice Springs. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

Mashiko is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't venture to this community, but its seeped in quaint culture and small town atmosphere.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mashiko is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Alice Springs is not known for its public transit.

While Mashiko offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local trains that stop by the strawberry picking farms. There are also local buses in the area.

Public transit is generally limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Is Alice Springs or Mashiko a more walkable city?

Mashiko is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Mashiko is a very walkable destination. Many people choose to walk around town and the pottery area is about a 20 minute walk from Mashiko Station.

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alice Springs Worth Visiting? and Is Mashiko Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mashiko or Alice Springs?

How long in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Alice Springs or Mashiko to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Alice Springs than Mashiko because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alice Springs, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mashiko.

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

Couples should spend more time in Mashiko than Alice Springs. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mashiko that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alice Springs than Mashiko 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 Alice Springs.

One day in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

Alice Springs is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint small town of Mashiko. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

Alice Springs might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alice Springs has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mashiko. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint small town of Mashiko. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Alice Springs or Mashiko?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alice Springs. Since Alice Springs is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the town of Mashiko. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alice Springs and Mashiko, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Mashiko much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alice Springs is in Pacific and Mashiko is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Mashiko would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mashiko 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Mashiko.

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

Which is Bigger, Alice Springs or Mashiko?

Alice Springs has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Alice Springs and Mashiko, 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.