A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Matsue for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Matsue?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Matsue can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Matsue

Matsue is a serene, historic, and quiet town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Bali and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Matsue?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bali than Matsue. Bali is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Matsue is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Bali is more touristy than Matsue and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Bali different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Matsue?

Matsue is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Matsue specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Matsue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Bali have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Bali is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Bali is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Resorts?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Matsue is not a resort destination.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Bali is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Beaches?

Bali is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

Bali is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is very good for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Matsue to see the old town. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Matsue?

Bali is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Families?

Bali is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Couples?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Bali is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Matsue is a good island for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Bali or Matsue Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Matsue can get you to some places easily. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Bali?

How long in Bali or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Matsue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Matsue. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Matsue.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Matsue 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Matsue?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Matsue. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Matsue?

Bali is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Matsue is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the peaceful destination of Matsue. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Matsue?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the lush destination of Bali. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The historic town of Matsue offers museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Bali and Matsue, we can see that Bali 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 Bali Expensive? and Is Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Matsue?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Matsue, 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 Bali or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Bali or Matsue in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Bali is around the same temperature as Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Matsue this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Matsue. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bali as well as Matsue. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Bali is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Bali usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Matsue can be very cold. In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Bali usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In January, Bali usually receives less rain than Matsue. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Bali during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

Bali is much warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Bali