Which place is cheaper, Mashiko or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Mashiko?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Mashiko, 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: Qingdao or Mashiko?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Mashiko $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Mashiko is $64. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Qingdao and Mashiko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Mashiko $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Mashiko $66
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Mashiko
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Mashiko? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Mashiko $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Mashiko?
Prices for flights to both Mashiko and Qingdao change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayQingdao $20Mashiko $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Mashiko $8.85
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Mashiko $5.13
When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao and Mashiko, we can see that Mashiko is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Mashiko?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Mashiko, 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 Qingdao or Mashiko?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Qingdao or Mashiko in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Mashiko. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.
Qingdao is around the same temperature as Mashiko in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during summer. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Mashiko 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Mashiko in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Mashiko. Additionally, many travelers come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Mashiko. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Mashiko averages at about 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Mashiko. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Mashiko 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Mashiko in the Winter?
Both Mashiko and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Mashiko in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Mashiko can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Qingdao. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko during winter. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Mashiko 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Mashiko in the Spring?
Both Mashiko and Qingdao during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the small town charm during these months.
Qingdao is around the same temperature as Mashiko in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the spring, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun.
Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Mashiko. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Mashiko 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Mashiko and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Mashiko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.