A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Mashiko for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Mashiko? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Sandakan or Mashiko?

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan 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 Sandakan Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Mashiko?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan 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 Sandakan or Mashiko?

Mashiko has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Mashiko in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Mashiko. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sandakan is a little warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Mashiko averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the summer, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Mashiko. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Mashiko in the Autumn?

Both Mashiko and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sandakan or Mashiko in the Winter?

Both Mashiko and Sandakan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, 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. Sandakan is much warmer than Mashiko in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Mashiko. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Mashiko. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Mashiko in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Mashiko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Mashiko averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Sandakan