A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Hiroshima for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

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.

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.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a memorable, meaningful, and park-filled city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Hiroshima?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Matsue than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Matsue, Matsue has more sights and attractions for tourists. Matsue is very popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Hiroshima attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Matsue is more touristy than Hiroshima and is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. It is also well known for the Matsue Castle. Hiroshima is famous for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Matsue different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima?

Hiroshima is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Hiroshima are among the most recognizable in the world. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Hiroshima can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Hiroshima has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Is Matsue or Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

Hiroshima is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Hiroshima has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

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 Matsue or Hiroshima Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a town with good options for its historic old town. However, Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Hiroshima?

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

Hiroshima is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

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 Matsue or Hiroshima Better for Families?

Both Matsue and Hiroshima are nice to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Matsue. 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.

Hiroshima offers lots of family activities. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Matsue or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

Both Matsue and Hiroshima are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Matsue makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Hiroshima is a good town for couples to visit. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Matsue or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Matsue and Hiroshima.

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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Hiroshima. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

Is Matsue or Hiroshima a more walkable city?

Matsue and Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is a very walkable destination. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Hiroshima?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Matsue and Hiroshima. In our opinion, Hiroshima has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hiroshima than Matsue. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima.

One day in Matsue or Hiroshima?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Matsue. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hiroshima. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Matsue or Hiroshima?

You'll find museums and food around the historic destination of Matsue. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Hiroshima is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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 Hiroshima?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quiet town of Matsue. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Hiroshima. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Hiroshima?

Matsue is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Hiroshima. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Matsue Expensive? and Is Hiroshima Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Hiroshima, 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 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. The summer months attract visitors to Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hiroshima this time of year.

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

Should I visit Matsue or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Hiroshima. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hiroshima for the shopping scene.

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

Should I visit Matsue or Hiroshima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Hiroshima. Many travelers come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Hiroshima in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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 average around 4°C (39°F), and Hiroshima averages at 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.

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. Many visitors come to Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Matsue