A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Chichibu-Tama-Kai for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Matsue and Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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.

Matsue

Matsue is a quiet, peaceful, and pretty town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing national park. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Matsue and Chichibu-Tama-Kai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Matsue. Although Matsue and Chichibu-Tama-Kai are popular destinations, Matsue has more sights and attractions for tourists. Matsue is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai attracts visitors for its hiking. Matsue is more touristy than Chichibu-Tama-Kai and is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. It is also well known for the Matsue Castle. Chichibu-Tama-Kai is famous for its beautiful hikes and accessibility from Tokyo.

How is Matsue different from Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Matsue is great for its historical sights. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Matsue. 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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are hikes that pass by historic villages and you'll see several ancient shrines such as Musashi-Mitake-jinja Shrine. Between the months of June and November you may even be able to see kagura, which is a traditional Shinto dance performance that has been passed down through the generations.

Is the Food Better in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Matsue is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Matsue. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. There are a couple of restaurants in and near the park, but if you're going for a longer hike, you're better off packing your own picnic.

Is Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Nightlife?

Matsue is adequate for nightlife. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a town with good options for its historic old town. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai does not have a historic old town.

Matsue is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Hiking?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai. There are a range of hikes in this park that include everything from day trip hikes and multi-day treks with camping and mountain huts available. The trails run along gorges, pass by lakes, and take you through pristine forests.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Matsue is a town with good options for shopping. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Matsue. 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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Families?

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

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a very kid-friendly national park. This national park offers educational programs, hiking, and outdoor adventures that the entire family can enjoy. If you kids need a break from history and cities, then this is the perfect place to reconnect with nature for a few days.

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 Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Couples?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Hiking, natural beauty, and adrenaline-filled adventures all make this a wonderful couples destination for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of town.

Matsue is a good town 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 Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Chichibu-Tama-Kai are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's less than two hours from Tokyo, so backpackers can enjoy easy access to an accessible natural area.

Is Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Matsue is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's recommended that you have a car to efficiently explore the park. There are some bus options within the park, such as the Nishi Tokyo Bus that runs to popular hiking spots in the Okutama and Mitake areas and the Yamanashi Kotsu bus service that goes to trails in Yamanashi.

Is Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai a more walkable city?

Matsue and Chichibu-Tama-Kai both are great when exploring on foot.

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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a very walkable destination. There are hiking trails that cater to every level, from beginner to more experienced.

For even more information, also check out Is Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Matsue than Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Matsue, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Matsue than Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Matsue.

One day in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

With food and shopping around the destination of Matsue, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

With shopping and museums around the serene town of Matsue, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the historic destination of Matsue. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Matsue is a popular choice for travelers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the peaceful destination of Chichibu-Tama-Kai. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

When comparing the travel costs between Matsue and Chichibu-Tama-Kai, we can see that Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Matsue Expensive? and Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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 Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Summer?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chichibu-Tama-Kai this time of year.

In July, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 25°C (78°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Chichibu-Tama-Kai. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Many travelers come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. In the winter, Matsue is around the same temperature as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Matsue in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the Spring?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 13°C (55°F), and Chichibu-Tama-Kai fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Matsue