A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Mashiko vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mashiko or Yakushima?

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

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

Where Should I go: Mashiko or Yakushima?

Mashiko

Mashiko is a town in Japan famous for its pottery, called "Mashiko yaki." Large noborigama kilns were first brought to the area in 1853 by immigrant potters from a neighboring community in the Ibaraki prefecture. It is also home to the site of Saimyoji temple, one of the oldest temples in Tochigi prefecture, as well as the shrine of the Utsunomiya han.

Yakushima

Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

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

When is the best time to visit Mashiko or Yakushima?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Mashiko or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Mashiko during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mashiko is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 24°C (75°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. Mashiko usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Mashiko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mashiko or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mashiko and Yakushima. Most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

Mashiko is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Mashiko gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mashiko or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mashiko as well as Yakushima. The winter months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Mashiko usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Mashiko gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mashiko or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Mashiko are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In April, Mashiko is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 12°C (53°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Mashiko. In April, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Mashiko gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Mashiko