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

Should you visit Mashiko or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mashiko or Rotorua, 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. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Mashiko and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mashiko or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotorua. Although Mashiko and Rotorua are popular destinations, Rotorua has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rotorua is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Mashiko attracts visitors for its shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Mashiko is famous for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. It is also well known for Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

How is Mashiko different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rotorua is a great town 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 Rotorua can be an interesting and educational experience. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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 Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rotorua is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Rotorua has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua has a few options to choose from. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

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 Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

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 Rotorua?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Mashiko. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Mashiko or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

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

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Mashiko and Rotorua both offer nice 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.

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Mashiko or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Mashiko is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Mashiko?

How long in Mashiko or Rotorua?

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

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

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

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

One day in Mashiko or Rotorua?

Mashiko is a small town with plenty to do. 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.

In Rotorua, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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 Rotorua?

Mashiko might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Mashiko has to offer.

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

Five days in Mashiko or Rotorua?

Mashiko 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.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mashiko. Since Mashiko is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotorua. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotorua. 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 Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Mashiko or Rotorua?

Rotorua has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Mashiko and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mashiko and Rotorua. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Mashiko is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mashiko usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Mashiko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mashiko or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mashiko as well as Rotorua. Many travelers come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Mashiko is around the same temperature as Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mashiko in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mashiko usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Mashiko gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mashiko or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Mashiko are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Mashiko in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mashiko can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mashiko is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 3°C (38°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In January, Mashiko usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Mashiko gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mashiko or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Mashiko during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mashiko for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

Mashiko is much colder than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. Mashiko usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Mashiko gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Mashiko