A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Kanazawa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Matsue or Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa 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 serene, historic, and quiet town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a cultural, well-preserved, and historic city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue and Kanazawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Kanazawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kanazawa than Matsue. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kanazawa is very popular for its nightlife and shopping, while Matsue attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Matsue is famous for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Kanazawa is famous for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also well known for Kenroku-en Garden.

How is Matsue different from Kanazawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Matsue and Kanazawa.

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 Kanazawa. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

Is Matsue or Kanazawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Kanazawa has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

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 Kanazawa Better for its Old Town?

Both Matsue and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa has an old town worth visiting. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Kanazawa?

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

Kanazawa is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

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 Kanazawa Better for Families?

Both Matsue and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa offers lots of family activities. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

Is Matsue or Kanazawa Better for Couples?

Both Matsue and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa is a good town for couples to visit. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

Is Matsue or Kanazawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Matsue or Kanazawa Better for Students?

Kanazawa is a city with good options for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Kanazawa is popular with students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Matsue is not popular with students.

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

Public transit in Matsue is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Kanazawa has a few public transit options. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

Is Matsue or Kanazawa a more walkable city?

Matsue and Kanazawa both are superb 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.

Kanazawa is a very walkable destination. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanazawa or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Kanazawa?

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

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

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

One day in Matsue or Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Matsue or Kanazawa?

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.

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa?

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 Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa?

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 cultural destination of Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Kanazawa?

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

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 Kanazawa in the Summer?

Both Kanazawa and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 25°C (78°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. In the summer, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kanazawa. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Kanazawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Kanazawa. Most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene.

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

Matsue usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Kanazawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Kanazawa. The winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kanazawa in the winter. The weather in Matsue can be very cold. In the winter, Matsue is a little warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Matsue in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Kanazawa in the Spring?

Both Kanazawa and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

In April, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 13°C (55°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanazawa during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Matsue