A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mashiko vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Mashiko or Surfers Paradise?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mashiko or Surfers Paradise, 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. See Mashiko travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a glamourous, high energy, and thrilling city. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Mashiko and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mashiko or Surfers Paradise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Mashiko and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations, Surfers Paradise has more sights and attractions for tourists. Surfers Paradise is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Mashiko attracts visitors for its small town charm and quaint atmosphere. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Mashiko and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also well known for the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Mashiko is famous for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making.

How is Mashiko different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise can be an interesting and educational experience. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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 Surfers Paradise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Mashiko is not known for nightlife.

People head to Surfers Paradise just to party. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Mashiko is not a resort destination.

Surfers Paradise offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Mashiko is not a resort destination.

Is Mashiko or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a great city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Mashiko is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Surfers Paradise to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Mashiko is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mashiko or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Surfers Paradise are among the best in the world. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Is Mashiko or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Mashiko and Surfers Paradise are both places where visitors can find nice 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 Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Mashiko or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Surfers Paradise specifically to go shopping. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

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.

Is Mashiko or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

Mashiko and Surfers Paradise are both superb to visit as a couple.

Mashiko is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place to visit for couples. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Is Mashiko or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

A large number of backpackers visit Surfers Paradise, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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

Mashiko and Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise has a few public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Mashiko or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Mashiko is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Mashiko?

How long in Mashiko or Surfers Paradise?

Both Mashiko and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Mashiko. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Mashiko, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Mashiko or Surfers Paradise?

Mashiko is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Surfers Paradise?

Mashiko is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Surfers Paradise?

Mashiko is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Surfers Paradise has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Mashiko or Surfers Paradise?

Mashiko is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered 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 Surfers Paradise. In Surfers Paradise, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Mashiko or Surfers Paradise?

Mashiko has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Mashiko and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mashiko and Surfers Paradise. The summer months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

Mashiko is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Mashiko usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Mashiko gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Mashiko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mashiko or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mashiko as well as Surfers Paradise. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Mashiko is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mashiko in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the autumn, Mashiko often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Mashiko gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mashiko usually gets more rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Mashiko gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mashiko or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise and Mashiko are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mashiko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mashiko. In January, Mashiko is generally much colder than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 3°C (38°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Mashiko usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Mashiko gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Mashiko gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mashiko or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Mashiko during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mashiko in the spring for the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.

Mashiko is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Mashiko often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Mashiko gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. Mashiko usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Mashiko gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Mashiko