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

Should you visit Matsue or Kobe?

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 Kobe 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 peaceful, pretty, and serene town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Kobe

Kobe is a subdued, under-rated, and multicultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Kobe?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kobe than Matsue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kobe is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Matsue is more touristy than Kobe and is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. It is also home to Kobe Harborland.

How is Matsue different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Matsue is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Kobe 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.

Kobe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Is Matsue or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

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

Kobe has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

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 Kobe Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Kobe does not have a historic old town.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Kobe does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Kobe?

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

Kobe is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

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 Kobe Better for Families?

Both Matsue and Kobe are good 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.

Kobe offers lots of family activities. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Matsue or Kobe Better for Couples?

Both Matsue and Kobe are good 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.

Kobe is a good town for couples to visit. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Matsue or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Kobe are good 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 Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

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

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

Kobe has a few public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Matsue or Kobe a more walkable city?

Matsue is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Matsue is a very walkable destination. 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.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

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

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Kobe?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Matsue than Kobe 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 Matsue.

One day in Matsue or Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Matsue. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

A weekend in Matsue or Kobe?

Matsue is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kobe 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 Kobe?

You'll find shopping and museums around the serene destination of Matsue. This town offers something for everyone. 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 Kobe. 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 Kobe?

The serene town of Matsue offers museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Kobe, 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 Kobe?

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 Kobe in the Summer?

Both Kobe and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Matsue is around the same temperature as Kobe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Kobe averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. In the summer, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun.

Kobe 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 Kobe. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Kobe in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Kobe. Many travelers come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kobe in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Matsue is generally cooler than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Matsue usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Matsue or Kobe in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Kobe. Many visitors come to Matsue in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Matsue can get quite cold in the winter. Matsue is cooler than Kobe in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Kobe. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 140 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Kobe. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Kobe in the Spring?

Both Kobe and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Matsue for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kobe because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Matsue is cooler than Kobe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Kobe averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Matsue usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives less rain than Kobe. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kobe and Matsue