A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Kamakura for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Matsue or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a charming, laid back, and ancient coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Kamakura?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kamakura. Although Matsue and Kamakura are about the same size, Kamakura has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kamakura is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Matsue attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Matsue is famous for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha.

How is Matsue different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Matsue and Kamakura.

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 Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Kamakura 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.

Kamakura has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Matsue or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Kamakura know how to have a good time. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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 Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for the beache. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kamakura. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Both Matsue and Kamakura have nice historic old towns worth visiting.

Many people head to Matsue to see the 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.

Kamakura has an old town worth visiting. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Is Matsue or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Kamakura?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kamakura and Matsue.

Matsue offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Kamakura has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Matsue or Kamakura Better for Families?

Both Matsue and Kamakura 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.

Kamakura offers lots of family activities. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Matsue or Kamakura Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Kamakura frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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 Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Kamakura 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 Kamakura. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

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

Matsue is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Matsue. 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.

Kamakura has some public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Matsue or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Matsue is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Matsue is very walkable. 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.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Matsue or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Matsue than Kamakura 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 Kamakura.

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

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

One day in Matsue or Kamakura?

The beautiful town of Matsue offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kamakura. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Matsue or Kamakura?

Matsue is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Matsue, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamakura 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 Kamakura?

Matsue is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Matsue is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Kamakura. This coastal 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 Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Matsue or Kamakura in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Kamakura. Many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 25°C (78°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. Matsue usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Matsue usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Matsue or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Kamakura. Many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue usually gets less rain in October than Kamakura. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Kamakura in the Winter?

Both Kamakura and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Matsue is much colder than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Matsue in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Kamakura during winter. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In January, Matsue usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Matsue or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Matsue during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In April, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 13°C (55°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Matsue