Which city is cheaper, Kyoto or Matsue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Matsue vs. Kyoto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Matsue or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMatsue $74Kyoto $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Matsue is $74, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $97. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMatsue $29Kyoto $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMatsue $58Kyoto $116
Compare Hotels in Matsue and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Matsue or Kyoto? 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.
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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Matsue $22Kyoto $9.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Departure Private Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX by Minivan: $209
- Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Kyoto Station to Kyoto City: $25
- KIX Airport Transfers (to or from KYOTO) by Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018: $376
- KIX Airport Transfers (to or from KYOTO) by Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019: $430
- KIX Airport Transfers (to or from KYOTO) by Toyota ALPHARD 2019: $430
- KIX Airport to Kyoto Center Arashiyama door to door Private Transfer Alphard: $393
- Kansai Airport to/from Osaka/Kyoto/Sakai - Shared Transfer: $83
- Private Transfer to/from Chubu Centrair Airport: $359
- One-Way Private Transfer Between Kyoto and Mount Koya: $406
- Osaka ITM Airport to Kyoto Center door to door Private Transfer 6 seats Alphard: $334
- Osaka Private Transfer from Itami Airport (ITM) to central Osaka: $314
- Private Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $364
Is it cheaper to fly into Matsue or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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
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Food Meals for one dayMatsue $31Kyoto $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Online Cooking Experience ～ Vegan Taco rice!! ～ high protein and low carbohydrate: $35
- Nishiki Market Breakfast Walking Food Tour: $43
- Private Japanese Cooking Lesson and Lunch: $60
- Authentic Seasonal Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with a Charming Local in Kyoto: $62
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $70
- Kyoto Cooking Class: $74
- Sushi or Obanzai Cooking and Matcha with a Kyoto Native in her Home: $74
- Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto: $76
- Private Japanese Cooking Class with a Local in a Beautiful Wooden House in Kyoto: $78
- Ramen Cooking class: $81
- Nishiki Market Food Tour in Kyoto: $83
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Matsue $9.95Kyoto $18
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
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $5.99
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $9.84
- [Virtual Tour] Kyoto Highlights: $12
- Flower hunting in Kyoto with Mori the Doggo (Online experience): $12
- Forest bathe in Kyoto’s Sacred Mountain (Online experience): $12
- Gion Walking Tour by Night with Virtual Option: $13
- Kyoto Virtual Tour: $15
- Mansagama-pottery wheel experience-: $18
- Kyoto Virtual Online Tour: $18
- Kimono and Yukata 2 Hours Experience in Kyoto: $20
- Gion Historical Virtual Walking Tour in Kyoto: $21
- 5-Hour Guided Walking Tour - Walk in Kyoto, Talk in English: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMatsue $7.74Kyoto $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Small-Group Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $61
- Sake Brewery Tour: $81
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $93
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $191
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $193
- Fushimi Private One Day tour/ Sake brewery & Geisha lunch: $1,210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto than you might in Matsue.
When is the best time to visit Matsue or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto in the Summer?
Both Kyoto and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Matsue is around the same temperature as Kyoto in the summer. The temperature in Matsue is usually 25°C (78°F) in July, and Kyoto 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 Kyoto during summer. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In July, Matsue usually receives more rain than Kyoto. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMatsue 25°C (78°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Matsue or Kyoto in the Autumn?
Both Kyoto and Matsue during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Matsue is around the same temperature as Kyoto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October are around 17°C (62°F), and Kyoto is about 18°C (64°F).
In the autumn, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun.
Kyoto 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 Kyoto. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMatsue 17°C (62°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Matsue or Kyoto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Kyoto.
Kyoto can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. In January, Matsue is generally cooler than Kyoto. Temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Kyoto stays around 5°C (40°F).
Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Kyoto during winter. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto 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 Kyoto. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMatsue 4°C (39°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Matsue or Kyoto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Kyoto.
Matsue is cooler than Kyoto in the spring. The temperature in Matsue is usually 13°C (55°F) in April, and Kyoto stays around 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Matsue often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. Matsue usually gets less rain in April than Kyoto. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMatsue 13°C (55°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Matsue
| Matsue | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
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