A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 pretty, serene, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a majestic, dramatic, and iconic national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking and museums.

Matsue and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Matsue. Although Matsue and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park are both popular with visitors, Matsue has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Matsue is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. It is also home to the Matsue Castle. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is popular for its iconic peak, pristine lakes, rugged coastline, and timeless forests.

How is Matsue different from Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Matsue and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Due to its spiritual nature, there have been many shrines built at the base of Mount Fuji. You can visit the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, which is one of the most significant. Hakone also has many art museums as well as the fascinating Hakone Open-Air Museum.

Is the Food Better in Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Matsue is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. If you're planning to climb Mount Fuji, you'll want to make reservations for meals at the mountain huts. Dinner is typically a curry rice and a take away breakfast is usually available that has simple ingredients.

Is Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Nightlife?

Matsue is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park does not have a historic old town.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Hiking?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Around Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are hikes within each of the sections of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, but the most famous section is the area around the iconic Mount Fuji. The climbing season is between July and mid September and there are four main trails that lead to the summit. You can take a bus to the Fifth Station and pick up any of the trails at that point. There are also mountain huts where you may take a rest or spend the night. In the Hakone area, you'll find hot springs and several popular trails such as the Hakone Ropeway and the Mount Kamiyama and Mount Komagatake Trail. The Izu Peninsula is known for its dramatic coastline, rugged cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls. Finally, the Izu Islands are a string of islands that can be reached by ferry.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Matsue is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Families?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. As Japan's most visited national park, you'll find many trails and activities for families. There are a number of kid-friendly hiking trails, as well as nature courses and educational programs.

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Couples?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The park is an iconic setting, and couples who enjoy nature will appreciate the forested setting with its waterfalls, lava caves, and stunning natural beauty. The park has beautiful sweeping views that will take your breath away.

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a great national park to visit for backpackers. Because it's a popular tourist destination, transportation to and from the park is relatively easy. There are also a number of amenities and resources available that will help backpackers enjoy their trip.

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

Is Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is a great town for times when you don't have a car. Also, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its public transit.

Matsue offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park has a few public transit options. There are train and bus systems within the park that connect the different sections. In the Mount Fuji area, buses leave from the Kawaguchiko and Fujisan Stations. Transportation may take longer than you expect, so it's best to plan accordingly.

Is Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park a more walkable city?

Matsue is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its walkability.

Matsue is a very walkable destination. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is somewhat walkable. There are countless hiking trails throughout the park that give you access to the region's natural beauty.

For even more information, also check out Is Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Matsue, and 2-4 days is enough time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

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

Couples should spend more time in Matsue than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

The pretty destination of Matsue offers food and shopping. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 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.

A weekend in Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Matsue has to offer.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

Matsue is a fun place to experience. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the pretty town of Matsue. It offers something for everyone. 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.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the iconic destination of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, we can see that Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is more expensive. And not only is Matsue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Matsue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Matsue 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park than you might in Matsue.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Matsue Expensive? and Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Summer?

Both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Matsue is around the same temperature as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Matsue usually receives less rain than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park because of the museums and the cuisine.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. Matsue is cooler than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Spring?

Both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park this time of year.

In the spring, Matsue is around the same temperature as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives less rain than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Matsue