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

Should you visit Mashiko or Canberra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mashiko or Canberra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a charming, traditional, and rural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Canberra

Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Mashiko and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mashiko or Canberra?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Canberra. Although Mashiko and Canberra are both popular with visitors, Canberra has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Canberra is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Mashiko is known for its shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Mashiko is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also home to the Australian War Memorial.

How is Mashiko different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Canberra is a great 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 Canberra can be an interesting and educational experience. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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 Mashiko or Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra 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.

Canberra has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

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 Mashiko or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Canberra 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 Canberra has a few options to choose from. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

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 Mashiko or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Mashiko and Canberra are both places where visitors can find good hiking trails.

Mashiko has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mashiko or Canberra?

Mashiko is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Mashiko is well-known for its shopping. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Mashiko or Canberra Better for Families?

Mashiko and Canberra are both very good destinations for the whole family.

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.

Canberra is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Mashiko or Canberra Better for Couples?

Mashiko is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Canberra is a good town for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Mashiko or Canberra Better for Students?

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

Canberra is a great city to visit as a student. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Mashiko is not popular with students.

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

Mashiko and Canberra both offer good public transit to get you around.

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.

Canberra has a few public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Mashiko or Canberra a more walkable city?

Mashiko is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable town. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Mashiko?

How long in Mashiko or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mashiko and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Canberra than in Mashiko. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Mashiko, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.

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

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

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

One day in Mashiko or Canberra?

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.

In Canberra, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Mashiko or Canberra?

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.

In Canberra, 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 Canberra has to offer.

Five days in Mashiko or Canberra?

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.

Canberra 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 Mashiko or Canberra?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Canberra. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Mashiko or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Mashiko and Canberra, 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 Mashiko or Canberra?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Mashiko has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Mashiko or Canberra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mashiko and Canberra. Many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Mashiko is generally a little warmer than Canberrain January. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 24°C (75°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mashiko usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Mashiko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mashiko or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mashiko as well as Canberra. Most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Mashiko is around the same temperature as Canberra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Canberra. Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mashiko usually gets more rain in October than Canberrain April. Mashiko gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mashiko or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Mashiko are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

The weather in Mashiko can be very cold. In the winter, Mashiko is much colder than Canberra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mashiko in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Canberra averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

In January, Mashiko usually receives around the same amount of rain as Canberrain July. Mashiko gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mashiko or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Mashiko during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city.

In April, Mashiko is generally cooler than Canberrain October. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 12°C (53°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. Mashiko usually gets more rain in April than Canberrain October. Mashiko gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Mashiko