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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng or Mashiko?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Mashiko, we can see that Mashiko is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Mashiko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mashiko than you might in Vang Vieng.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Mashiko?

Mashiko has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Mashiko?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Mashiko in the Summer?

Both Mashiko and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Mashiko in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Mashiko in the Autumn?

Both Mashiko and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts 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 the autumn, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Mashiko averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun.

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Mashiko. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Mashiko in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Mashiko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, 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 January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Mashiko in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Mashiko. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

Vang Vieng is much warmer than Mashiko in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Mashiko. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Vang Vieng