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

Should you visit Surabaya or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Surabaya 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.

Surabaya

Surabaya is a undiscovered, authentic, and local city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Surabaya travel costs.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a traditional, rural, and quaint town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food. See Mashiko travel costs.

Surabaya and Mashiko: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Mashiko?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Surabaya. Although Surabaya and Mashiko are popular destinations, Surabaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Surabaya is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Mashiko attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Mashiko is more touristy than Surabaya and is popular for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. Surabaya is famous for its role in Indonesia's independence revolution. It is also well known for the Submarine Monument.

How is Surabaya different from Mashiko?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mashiko and Surabaya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Surabaya or Mashiko?

Mashiko is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Mashiko. 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.

While most people don't head to Surabaya specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You'll likely pass through town on your way somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out Suramadu Bridge, the House of Sampoerna, Cheng Hoo Mosque, Sanggar Agung Temple, and Ampel Mosque. It's also worth a visit to the Submarine Museum and the Heroes Monument.

Is the Food Better in Surabaya or Mashiko? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Surabaya and Mashiko can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Surabaya area. It's a port city, and the cuisine reflexs this. You'll find a mix of different flavors that combine Javanese, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian cuisines. Dishes include a lot of vegetables as well as tofu and tempeh. Many dishes are also sweet in flavor or incredibly spicy.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Mashiko. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around town that serve udon, soba, and other Japanese favorites that use local ingredients.

Is Surabaya or Mashiko Better for Nightlife?

Surabaya 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 Surabaya has a few options to choose from. Like the rest of the city, the nightlife scene has a local vibe. There are night markets, fascinating neighborhoods, and some lively clubs and bars.

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 Surabaya or Mashiko Better for Beaches?

Surabaya is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Surabaya has a beach worth visiting. You'll find a few beaches within a short drive of the city center. Some of the popular ones include Ria Kenjeran Beach, Bentar Beach, and Delegan Beach.

Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Is Surabaya or Mashiko Better for Hiking?

Mashiko is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Mashiko is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Mashiko?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Mashiko and Surabaya.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Surabaya. The city has a great mix of air-conditioned mega-malls and colorful street markets. Bratang Market has become a favorite but it's also worth checking out Tugu Pahlawan Market and Ampel Market.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Mashiko. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Is Surabaya or Mashiko Better for Families?

Mashiko is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Mashiko is known to be 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.

For families, Surabaya is not always the best place to visit. You'll like be passing through this city enroute to somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out the Submarine Museum. You can also wander through the market area of Qubah or explore Chinatown.

Is Surabaya or Mashiko Better for Couples?

Mashiko is a great destination for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Couples visit Mashiko frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Surabaya is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are some sights an museums that you can visit while you're in town.

Is Surabaya or Mashiko Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mashiko is a popular place for its public transit. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Mashiko, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local trains that stop by the strawberry picking farms. There are also local buses in the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Surabaya. There's a bus system, but it's mostly used by locals. There are two types of buses - normal buses and patas buses, which are express.

Is Surabaya or Mashiko a more walkable city?

Surabaya and Mashiko both are very good when exploring on foot.

Surabaya is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in Indonesia and it has the feel of a bunch of neighborhoods combined together.

Mashiko is very walkable. Many people choose to walk around town and the pottery area is about a 20 minute walk from Mashiko Station.

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

Should I spend more time in Mashiko or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Mashiko?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Surabaya or Mashiko to fill your time. In our opinion, Mashiko has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Mashiko than Surabaya. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mashiko than Surabaya 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 Mashiko.

One day in Surabaya or Mashiko?

Because Surabaya is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Mashiko is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Surabaya or Mashiko?

Because Surabaya is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Surabaya has to offer.

Mashiko is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mashiko, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Mashiko?

Surabaya 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.

Mashiko is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Surabaya or Mashiko?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surabaya. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Surabaya. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Mashiko is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Mashiko?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya 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.