A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mashiko vs. Nelson for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mashiko or Nelson?

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

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

Nelson

Nelson is a adventure-filled, natural, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Mashiko and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mashiko or Nelson?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nelson than Mashiko, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nelson is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Mashiko is more popular for its shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Mashiko is well known for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. Nelson is well known for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures. Also, Nelson is famous for Abel Tasman National Park.

How is Mashiko different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Nelson and Mashiko.

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.

Nelson is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

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

Nelson 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.

Nelson has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

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 Nelson Better for Nightlife?

Nelson 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 Nelson has a few options to choose from. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

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 Nelson Better for Beaches?

Nelson is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Mashiko is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Nelson are among the best in the world. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Is Mashiko or Nelson Better for Hiking?

Nelson is a world-class destination for hiking. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Known for its hiking, Nelson draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

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 Nelson?

Mashiko is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Nelson is not as famous, but is still a good 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 Nelson. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Mashiko or Nelson Better for Families?

Nelson is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Nelson is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders Park.

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.

Is Mashiko or Nelson Better for Couples?

Nelson is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Nelson has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

Mashiko is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Mashiko or Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mashiko is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Nelson, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

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 Nelson Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mashiko is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Nelson is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Mashiko or Nelson a more walkable city?

Mashiko and Nelson are high quality when it comes to 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.

Nelson is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Mashiko?

How long in Mashiko or Nelson?

In either Mashiko or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nelson than Mashiko because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Mashiko, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

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

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

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

One day in Mashiko or Nelson?

Mashiko might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Nelson, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Nelson?

Mashiko is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Nelson, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Mashiko or Nelson?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mashiko. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nelson is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nelson has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Mashiko or Nelson?

Mashiko is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Nelson. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nelson. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Mashiko or Nelson?

Nelson has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Mashiko and Nelson, 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.