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

Should you visit Benxi or Mashiko?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Benxi and Mashiko can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Benxi or Mashiko?

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Benxi or Mashiko?

Benxi has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Benxi 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 Benxi 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 Benxi or Mashiko in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Benxi as well as Mashiko. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Benxi is around the same temperature as Mashiko. Typically, the summer temperatures in Benxi in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Mashiko averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. In the summer, Benxi often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Benxi gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Benxi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Benxi usually gets more rain in July than Mashiko. Benxi gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Benxi or Mashiko in the Autumn?

Both Mashiko and Benxi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In October, Benxi is generally cooler than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Benxi average around 11°C (52°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. Benxi usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during autumn. Benxi gets 216 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. In October, Benxi usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Benxi gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Benxi or Mashiko in the Winter?

Both Mashiko and Benxi during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mashiko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mashiko. It's quite cold in Benxi in the winter. Benxi is much colder than Mashiko in the winter. The daily temperature in Benxi averages around -10°C (14°F) in January, and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Benxi often gets less sunshine than Mashiko. Benxi gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun.

Benxi usually gets less rain in January than Mashiko. Benxi gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Benxi or Mashiko in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Benxi and Mashiko. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mashiko in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Benxi is around the same temperature as Mashiko. Typically, the spring temperatures in Benxi in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Mashiko averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Benxi usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during spring. Benxi gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Benxi usually receives less rain than Mashiko. Benxi gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Benxi