A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Hiroshima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Matsue or Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima 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: Matsue or Hiroshima?

Matsue

Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is positioned on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea and is an industrial city made up of many zigzagging rivers and wide boulevard streets. Today Hiroshima is a modern and vibrant city with great food and an energetic nightlife, but the image that remains in most visitor's minds is the Hiroshima of 1945 when it became the horrific sight of the first atomic bomb attack. Hiroshima shares the colorful neon atmosphere of other major Japanese cities and its hard to recognize the city immortalized all those years ago on that fateful day.

Which city is cheaper, Hiroshima or Matsue?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Matsue is $74, while the average daily cost in Hiroshima is $113. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Matsue and Hiroshima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Matsue $29
    Hiroshima $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Matsue $58
    Hiroshima $146
Compare Hotels in Matsue and Hiroshima

Looking for a hotel in Matsue or Hiroshima? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Matsue


Hotels in Hiroshima


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Matsue Hotel Prices and Hiroshima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Matsue $22
    Hiroshima $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hiroshima

Also for Hiroshima, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Hiroshima Airport to/from Hiroshima City: Shared Transfer: $78
  • Private Transfer to/from Hiroshima Airport: $197
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Hiroshima City to Hiroshima Airport: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Matsue or Hiroshima?

Prices for flights to both Hiroshima and Matsue change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Matsue $31
    Hiroshima $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hiroshima

For Hiroshima, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Enjoy a Private Japanese Cooking Class with a Local Hiroshima Family: $43
  • Hiroshima No1 food!! 'Okonomiyaki'-cooking class: $61
  • Hiroshima No1 food!! 'Okonomiyaki'-cooking class and a guided-tour of the museum: $77
  • Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour: $79
  • Hiroshima Bay Sightseeing and Dinner Cruise: $83
  • Local Favorites Private Night Food Tour: $101
  • Hiroshima 惻Night Food Tour Visiting Recommended Bars by Locals & Cycling: $118
  • Private Hiking and Country Cooking Experience in Yuki: $126
  • Best of Hiroshima Food Tour: $191
  • Best of Hiroshima Food Tour: $193
  • Cooking class: learn from a Washoku chef in Setouch: $431

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Matsue $9.95
    Hiroshima $6.09

Tours and Activities in Matsue

Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Adachi Museum Private Customized Guided Tour from Matsue: $396
  • Private Customized Tour with Izumo Taisha Shrine: $88
  • Romantic Tour In Matsue: $496
  • The best of Matsue walking tour: $496

Tours and Activities in Hiroshima

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hiroshima.

  • Hop-On-Hop-Off Tourist Pass: $8.75
  • 'Guided Tour' Premium Boat Tour Around Stunning Hiroshima Castle: $16
  • Hiroshima Cycling Peace Virtual Tour with Local Guide: $30
  • Japanese traditional archery experience Unlimited shooting: $34
  • Traditional Japanese Archery Experience: $35
  • Hiroshima Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $36
  • Peace Park Tour at Rest House in Hiroshima: $38
  • Hiroshima Cycling Peace Tour with Local Guide: $49
  • Japanese archery Guide Tour with trial shooting experience: $52
  • Hiroshima in a Nutshell: Morning Bike Adventure: $64
  • Aikido Experience in Hiroshima. Feel the spirit of the ultimate martial art!: $66
  • Experience Japanese Martial Arts - Iaido (Art of Drawing the Japanese Sword): $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Matsue $7.74
    Hiroshima $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Hiroshima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hiroshima:

  • Sake Brewery Visit with Sake Hotpot Lunch: $44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Hiroshima, we can see that Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hiroshima than you might in Matsue.


When is the best time to visit Matsue or Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima in the Summer?

Both Hiroshima and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Hiroshima. Temperatures in Matsue average around 25°C (78°F), and Hiroshima stays around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. In the summer, Matsue often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 194 hours of full sun.

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Matsue 25°C (78°F) 
    Hiroshima 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Matsue or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Hiroshima.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Hiroshima in the autumn. The temperature in Matsue is usually 17°C (62°F) in October, and Hiroshima stays around 17°C (63°F).

Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Hiroshima during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Matsue 17°C (62°F) 
    Hiroshima 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Matsue or Hiroshima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Hiroshima.

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Matsue in January are around 4°C (39°F), and Hiroshima is about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Hiroshima. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 153 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Hiroshima. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Matsue 4°C (39°F) 
    Hiroshima 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Matsue or Hiroshima in the Spring?

Both Hiroshima and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Hiroshima. Temperatures in Matsue average around 13°C (55°F), and Hiroshima stays around 14°C (56°F).

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives less rain than Hiroshima. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Matsue 13°C (55°F) 
    Hiroshima 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Matsue

Matsue Hiroshima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 4°C (40°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 127 mm (5 in) 8°C (46°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 14°C (56°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Jun 21°C (71°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 260 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 268 mm (10.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 185 mm (7.3 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Nov 11°C (53°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)


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Matsue vs. Hiroshima Travel Comparison

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