A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Mashiko for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Beijing 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 Beijing 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.

Beijing

Beijing is a fascinating, historic, and massive city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a traditional, rural, and quaint town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Beijing and Mashiko: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Mashiko?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing. Although Beijing and Mashiko are popular destinations, Beijing has more sights and attractions for tourists. Beijing is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Mashiko attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Beijing is more touristy than Mashiko and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Mashiko is famous for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making.

How is Beijing different from Mashiko?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or Mashiko?

Beijing is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Beijing has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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 Beijing or Mashiko? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Beijing is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

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 Beijing or Mashiko Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Mashiko is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

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 Beijing or Mashiko Better for Hiking?

Mashiko is a town with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

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.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Mashiko?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Mashiko and Beijing.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Mashiko. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Is Beijing or Mashiko Better for Families?

Mashiko is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Mashiko is known to be 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.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or Mashiko Better for Couples?

Mashiko is a great destination for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Mashiko frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Beijing or Mashiko Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mashiko is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Beijing. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

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 Beijing or Mashiko Better for Students?

Beijing is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Mashiko is not popular with students.

Beijing is a great city to visit as a student. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Mashiko is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Beijing. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

Mashiko has a few public transit options. There are local trains that stop by the strawberry picking farms. There are also local buses in the area.

Is Beijing or Mashiko a more walkable city?

Mashiko is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options 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.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Mashiko or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Mashiko?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Beijing or Mashiko to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Beijing than Mashiko because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mashiko.

Families should spend more time in Mashiko than Beijing. 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 Beijing. 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 Beijing 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 Beijing.

One day in Beijing or Mashiko?

Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Mashiko is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Beijing or Mashiko?

Because Beijing 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Mashiko 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mashiko has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Mashiko?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Mashiko 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.

A week in Beijing or Mashiko?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mashiko. Since Mashiko is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Mashiko, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Mashiko much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing 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 Beijing Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Mashiko?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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.

When is the best time to visit Beijing or Mashiko?

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 Beijing or Mashiko in the Summer?

Both Mashiko and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is a little warmer than Mashiko in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun.

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Mashiko. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Mashiko in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Mashiko. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In the autumn, Beijing is cooler than Mashiko. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Mashiko averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Mashiko in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Mashiko. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mashiko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mashiko. It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Mashiko. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Mashiko in the Spring?

Both Mashiko and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Mashiko in the spring for the small town charm.

Beijing is a little warmer than Mashiko in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Beijing