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

Should you visit Pyeongchang or Mashiko?

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

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

Where Should I go: Pyeongchang or Mashiko?

Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Mashiko?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Mashiko in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Mashiko. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In July, Pyeongchang is generally around the same temperature as Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 24°C (76°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during summer. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun in the summer.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pyeongchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Mashiko in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Mashiko. Also, many travelers come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Mashiko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Pyeongchang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in October than Mashiko. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Mashiko in the Winter?

Both Mashiko and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Pyeongchang. In the winter, Pyeongchang is much colder than Mashiko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pyeongchang in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Mashiko averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Pyeongchang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mashiko during winter. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Mashiko in the Spring?

Both Mashiko and Pyeongchang during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mashiko for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Pyeongchang is generally around the same temperature as Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 12°C (54°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Pyeongchang. In the spring, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun.

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in April than Mashiko. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Pyeongchang