A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Mashiko for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Da Nang or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Mashiko? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a coastal, accessible, and authentic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Da Nang travel costs.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a quaint, charming, and traditional town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Mashiko travel costs.

Da Nang and Mashiko: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Mashiko?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mashiko. Although Da Nang and Mashiko are both popular with visitors, Mashiko has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mashiko is more popular for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Da Nang is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Mashiko is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. It is also home to Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art. Da Nang is popular for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Mashiko?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Mashiko?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Da Nang and Mashiko.

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Mashiko. 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 Da Nang or Mashiko? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Da Nang is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Da Nang has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

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 Da Nang or Mashiko Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Da Nang has something for everybody. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

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 Da Nang or Mashiko Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Mashiko is not a resort destination.

Da Nang is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Mashiko is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Mashiko Better for Beaches?

Da Nang is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Da Nang has a beach worth visiting. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Is Da Nang or Mashiko Better for Hiking?

Mashiko is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Mashiko is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Mashiko?

Mashiko is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Mashiko is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Mashiko Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Da Nang or Mashiko.

Da Nang is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Mashiko. 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 Da Nang or Mashiko Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Mashiko make for a very good place to visit.

Da Nang is a very popular place to visit for couples. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Mashiko makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Da Nang or Mashiko Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Da Nang is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mashiko is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Da Nang. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

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

Both Da Nang and Mashiko offer good public transit options.

Da Nang has a few public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

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

Is Da Nang or Mashiko a more walkable city?

Mashiko is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Mashiko or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Mashiko?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Da Nang or Mashiko to fill your time. In our opinion, Da Nang has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Da Nang than Mashiko. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Da Nang 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 Da Nang.

One day in Da Nang or Mashiko?

In Da Nang, you'll find museums and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Da Nang or Mashiko?

In Da Nang, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Da Nang has to offer.

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 Da Nang or Mashiko?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

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 Da Nang or Mashiko?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Da Nang. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Mashiko, we can see that Mashiko is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Da Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Da Nang 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 Mashiko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mashiko than you might in Da Nang.

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

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Mashiko?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang 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 Da Nang or Mashiko?

Mashiko has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Mashiko in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Mashiko. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Da Nang is a little warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the summer temperatures in Da Nang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Mashiko averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Da Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Da Nang often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Da Nang usually gets less rain in July than Mashiko. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. August to December in Da Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Mashiko in the Autumn?

Both Mashiko and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Da Nang is generally much warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 25°C (78°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during autumn. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. It's quite rainy in Da Nang. In October, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Da Nang is August to December.

Should I visit Da Nang or Mashiko in the Winter?

Both Mashiko and Da Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Mashiko can be very cold. Da Nang is much warmer than Mashiko in the winter. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Mashiko. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually gets more rain in January than Mashiko. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. January to July is the dry season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Mashiko in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Mashiko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In the spring, Da Nang is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the spring temperatures in Da Nang in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Mashiko averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In Da Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during spring. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Da Nang