A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Koyasan for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Matsue or Koyasan?

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 Koyasan 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a peaceful, serene, and spiritual town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Matsue and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Koyasan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Matsue than Koyasan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Matsue is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Also, Matsue is famous for the Matsue Castle. Koyasan is well known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.

How is Matsue different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Matsue and Koyasan.

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 Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

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

Matsue is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Matsue or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Matsue is a town with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Matsue is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Matsue or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a great destination for its old town. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

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.

Is Matsue or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a town with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Koyasan. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Koyasan?

Matsue is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Matsue or Koyasan Better for Families?

Both Matsue and Koyasan are notable 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.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Matsue or Koyasan Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Koyasan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

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 Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Koyasan 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 Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

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

Matsue is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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.

While Koyasan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Is Matsue or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Matsue and Koyasan both are very good 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.

Koyasan is a very walkable destination. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Koyasan?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Matsue than Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

In Matsue, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Matsue or Koyasan?

In Matsue, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Matsue has to offer.

Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

Matsue is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Koyasan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Matsue. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 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 Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan 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 Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Matsue or Koyasan?

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 Koyasan in the Summer?

Both Koyasan and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during summer. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In July, Matsue usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Matsue or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Matsue during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Matsue is cooler than Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Koyasan averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun.

Koyasan 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 October than Koyasan. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Koyasan. Many visitors come to Matsue in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Matsue can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Matsue is generally cooler than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Koyasan during winter. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Matsue usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Matsue or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Koyasan. Most visitors come to Matsue for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Matsue is cooler than Koyasan in the spring. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the spring, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. Matsue usually gets less rain in April than Koyasan. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Matsue