A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mashiko vs. Lake Tekapo for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mashiko or Lake Tekapo, 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 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.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a remote, basic, and small town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Mashiko and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mashiko. Although Mashiko and Lake Tekapo are popular destinations, Mashiko has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mashiko is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Lake Tekapo attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mashiko is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is popular for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. It is also well known for Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art. Lake Tekapo is famous for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Mashiko different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo?

Mashiko is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Mashiko or Lake Tekapo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mashiko is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Mashiko area. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around town that serve udon, soba, and other Japanese favorites that use local ingredients.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Mashiko or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Mashiko is a town with a few options for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Mashiko is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are a couple of bars and pubs around town, but not a huge nightlife scene.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Mashiko or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Lake Tekapo is a great town for hiking. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Lake Tekapo for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

Mashiko is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

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

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Mashiko or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Mashiko and Lake Tekapo are both great 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.

Lake Tekapo is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Is Mashiko or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Mashiko is a great destination for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo 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.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Mashiko or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

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

Mashiko is a good destination for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Mashiko, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local trains that stop by the strawberry picking farms. There are also local buses in the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Mashiko or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Mashiko is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Lake Tekapo is somewhat walkable. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Mashiko?

How long in Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

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

Families should spend more time in Mashiko than Lake Tekapo. 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 Lake Tekapo. 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 Mashiko than Lake Tekapo 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 Mashiko.

One day in Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

Mashiko is a small town with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Lake Tekapo, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

Mashiko might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Lake Tekapo, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lake Tekapo has to offer.

Five days in Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

Because Mashiko is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Lake Tekapo is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Lake Tekapo?

Since Mashiko is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Tekapo. Many people enjoy the when visiting Lake Tekapo. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Mashiko or Lake Tekapo?

Mashiko has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Mashiko and Lake Tekapo, 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.