A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Koyasan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Where Should I go: Matsue or Koyasan?

Matsue

Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

Which city is cheaper, Koyasan or Matsue?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Matsue is $74, while the average daily cost in Koyasan is $88. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Matsue and Koyasan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Matsue $29
    Koyasan $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Matsue $58
    Koyasan $88
Compare Hotels in Matsue and Koyasan

Looking for a hotel in Matsue or Koyasan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Matsue


Hotels in Koyasan


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Matsue Hotel Prices and Koyasan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Matsue $22
    Koyasan $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Matsue or Koyasan?

Prices for flights to both Koyasan and Matsue change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Matsue $31
    Koyasan $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Matsue $9.95
    Koyasan $15

Tours and Activities in Matsue

Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Customized Tour with Izumo Taisha Shrine: $88
  • Adachi Museum Private Customized Guided Tour from Matsue: $396
  • The best of Matsue walking tour: $496
  • Romantic Tour In Matsue: $496

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Matsue $7.74
    Koyasan $5.53


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.


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.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the summer. The temperature in Matsue is usually 25°C (78°F) in July, and Koyasan stays 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Matsue 25°C (78°F) 
    Koyasan 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Matsue or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Matsue during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Matsue is cooler than Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October are around 17°C (62°F), and Koyasan is 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Matsue 17°C (62°F) 
    Koyasan 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Matsue or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Koyasan.

Matsue can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Matsue is generally cooler than Koyasan. Temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Koyasan stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Matsue 4°C (39°F) 
    Koyasan 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Matsue or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Koyasan.

Matsue is cooler than Koyasan in the spring. The temperature in Matsue is usually 13°C (55°F) in April, and Koyasan stays 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Matsue 13°C (55°F) 
    Koyasan 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Matsue

Matsue Koyasan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 127 mm (5 in) 9°C (47°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Jun 21°C (71°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 208 mm (8.2 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 268 mm (10.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 29°C (84°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 25°C (76°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 11°C (53°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)


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Matsue vs. Koyasan Travel Comparison

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