A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kamakura vs. Mashiko for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kamakura or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Kamakura 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.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a quaint, charming, and traditional town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Kamakura and Mashiko: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Mashiko?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kamakura than Mashiko, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kamakura is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Mashiko is more popular for its shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Kamakura is well known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Also, Kamakura is famous for the Great Buddha. Mashiko is well known for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making.

How is Kamakura different from Mashiko?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its historical sights. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kamakura can be an interesting and educational experience. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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 Kamakura or Mashiko? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kamakura is a great coastal 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.

Kamakura has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

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 Kamakura or Mashiko Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Kamakura has something for everybody. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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 Kamakura or Mashiko Better for Beaches?

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

Kamakura has a beach worth visiting. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Is Kamakura or Mashiko Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Mashiko does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura has an old town worth visiting. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Mashiko does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Mashiko Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Kamakura and Mashiko both have notable trails.

Kamakura is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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 Kamakura or Mashiko?

Mashiko is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Mashiko is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Kamakura or Mashiko Better for Families?

Mashiko is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Kamakura is a family-friendly coastal city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Kamakura or Mashiko Better for Couples?

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

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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 Kamakura or Mashiko Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

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

Both Kamakura and Mashiko offer notable public transit options.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

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 Kamakura or Mashiko a more walkable city?

Mashiko is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Mashiko or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Mashiko?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kamakura 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 Kamakura.

One day in Kamakura or Mashiko?

In Kamakura, you'll find nightlife and food. This coastal 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 where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kamakura or Mashiko?

In Kamakura, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Kamakura has to offer.

Mashiko is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mashiko, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Mashiko?

Kamakura 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.

Mashiko is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kamakura or Mashiko?

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

Mashiko is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamakura and Mashiko, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Mashiko?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura 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 Kamakura 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 Kamakura or Mashiko in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Mashiko. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kamakura is generally around the same temperature as Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 25°C (77°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In the summer, Kamakura often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets more rain in July than Mashiko. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Mashiko in the Autumn?

Both Mashiko and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

Kamakura is a little warmer than Mashiko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Kamakura usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko during autumn. Kamakura gets 129 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 Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Mashiko in the Winter?

Both Mashiko and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. 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 the winter, Kamakura is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamakura in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Mashiko averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Kamakura often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun.

Kamakura usually gets more rain in January than Mashiko. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Mashiko in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Mashiko. The spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In April, Kamakura is generally a little warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 14°C (58°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Kamakura usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko during spring. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Kamakura