A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Yokohama vs. Mashiko for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Yokohama or Mashiko?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama 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.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a under-rated, laid-back, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Yokohama and Mashiko: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Mashiko?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Yokohama than Mashiko, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Yokohama is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Mashiko is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Mashiko is more touristy than Yokohama and is popular for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. Yokohama is well known for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. Also, Yokohama is famous for the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Yokohama different from Mashiko?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Yokohama is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yokohama can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

Mashiko is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Yokohama is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Yokohama has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Mashiko offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around town that serve udon, soba, and other Japanese favorites that use local ingredients.

Is Yokohama or Mashiko Better for Nightlife?

Yokohama is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Mashiko is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Yokohama has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

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 Yokohama or Mashiko Better for Hiking?

Mashiko is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Mashiko has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yokohama or Mashiko?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Mashiko and Yokohama.

Yokohama is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Mashiko is well-known for its shopping. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Is Yokohama or Mashiko Better for Families?

Yokohama is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Yokohama is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

Mashiko is 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.

Is Yokohama or Mashiko Better for Couples?

Yokohama and Mashiko are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Yokohama frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

Mashiko is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Yokohama or Mashiko Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yokohama is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mashiko is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yokohama. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Mashiko is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't venture to this community, but its seeped in quaint culture and small town atmosphere.

Is Yokohama or Mashiko Better for Students?

Yokohama is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Mashiko is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Yokohama. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Mashiko is not popular with students.

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

Yokohama is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Yokohama. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

Mashiko has a few public transit options. There are local trains that stop by the strawberry picking farms. There are also local buses in the area.

Is Yokohama or Mashiko a more walkable city?

Yokohama and Mashiko both are superb when exploring on foot.

Yokohama is very walkable. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Mashiko is a very walkable city. 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 Yokohama Worth Visiting? and Is Mashiko Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mashiko or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Mashiko?

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

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

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

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

One day in Yokohama or Mashiko?

Because Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Mashiko?

Because Yokohama 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 Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Mashiko?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Mashiko?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yokohama. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Yokohama. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yokohama and Mashiko, we can see that Yokohama 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama 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 Yokohama Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Mashiko?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Mashiko?

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 Yokohama or Mashiko in the Summer?

Both Mashiko and Yokohama during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In July, Yokohama is generally around the same temperature as Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 25°C (78°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In the summer, Yokohama often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun.

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yokohama. Yokohama usually gets more rain in July than Mashiko. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Mashiko in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Mashiko. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Yokohama is a little warmer than Mashiko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Yokohama usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko during autumn. Yokohama gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yokohama or Mashiko in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Mashiko. Many travelers come to Yokohama for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. In the winter, Yokohama is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yokohama in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Mashiko averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Yokohama often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun.

Yokohama usually gets more rain in January than Mashiko. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Mashiko in the Spring?

Both Mashiko and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Yokohama in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Yokohama is generally a little warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 14°C (58°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Yokohama usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko during spring. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In April, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Yokohama