A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Hobart for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Matsue or Hobart?

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 Hobart 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Hobart

Hobart is a charming, fascinating, and quaint city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Matsue and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Hobart?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hobart than Matsue, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hobart is better known for its nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Matsue is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Hobart is well known for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. Also, Hobart is famous for Battery Point.

How is Matsue different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Matsue and Hobart.

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 Hobart. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Hobart 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.

Hobart has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

Is Matsue or Hobart Better for Nightlife?

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

Hobart has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

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 Hobart Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a town with good options for its old town. However, Hobart does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Matsue. 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.

Hobart does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Hobart 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 Hobart. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Hobart?

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

Hobart is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

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 Hobart Better for Families?

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

Hobart is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

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 Hobart Better for Couples?

Hobart is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Hobart frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

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 Hobart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Hobart are notable 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 Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

Is Matsue or Hobart 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. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Matsue has some very good public transit options. 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.

Hobart has a few public transit options. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Matsue or Hobart a more walkable city?

Matsue and Hobart 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.

Hobart is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Hobart?

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

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

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

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

One day in Matsue or Hobart?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hobart. 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 Hobart?

Matsue 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.

Hobart 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 Hobart?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hobart. 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 Hobart?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the pretty destination of Matsue. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Hobart. This city 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Hobart, we can see that Hobart is more expensive. And not only is Matsue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Matsue is in Asia and Hobart is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart 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 Hobart Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Hobart?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Hobart is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Matsue has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Matsue or Hobart in the Summer?

Both Hobart 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 Hobart this time of year.

Matsue is a little warmer than Hobart in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Hobart fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in January.

In Hobart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Matsue. In the summer, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Hobartin January. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Hobartin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Hobart in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Hobart. 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 Hobart for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Matsue is a little warmer than Hobart. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Hobart averages at about 14°C (57°F)in April.

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hobart during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Hobartin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Hobart in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. In January, Matsue is generally much colder than Hobartin July. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Hobartin July. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Hobartin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Hobart in the Spring?

Both Hobart 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.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Hobart in the spring. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Hobart fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Hobart. Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hobart during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Hobartin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Matsue