A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Mashiko for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Eilat 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.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Mashiko?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a town in Japan famous for its pottery, called "Mashiko yaki." Large noborigama kilns were first brought to the area in 1853 by immigrant potters from a neighboring community in the Ibaraki prefecture. It is also home to the site of Saimyoji temple, one of the oldest temples in Tochigi prefecture, as well as the shrine of the Utsunomiya han.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Eilat or Mashiko?

Eilat has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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 Eilat or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Eilat or Mashiko in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Mashiko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Also, many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. Eilat is a little warmer than Mashiko in the summer. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during summer. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun in the summer.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Eilat usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Eilat or Mashiko in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Mashiko. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Eilat is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Eilat in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Mashiko averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In the autumn, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Eilat usually gets less rain in October than Mashiko. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Mashiko in the Winter?

Both Mashiko and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat 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. In January, Eilat is generally much warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 14°C (57°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during winter. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Eilat usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Eilat or Mashiko in the Spring?

Both Mashiko and Eilat during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

Eilat is much warmer than Mashiko in the spring. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the spring, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun.

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in April than Mashiko. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Eilat