A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Melbourne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Matsue or Melbourne?

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 Melbourne 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 pretty, serene, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a cultural, progressive, and livable city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Matsue and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Melbourne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Matsue. Melbourne is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Matsue is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Matsue different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Matsue and Melbourne.

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 Melbourne. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Melbourne 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.

Melbourne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Is Matsue or Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Melbourne know how to have a good time. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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 Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great destination for the beache. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Melbourne attract visitors from all over. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Melbourne Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its old town. However, Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Matsue. 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.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Melbourne?

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

Melbourne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne Better for Families?

Melbourne is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Melbourne is a very kid-friendly city. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Matsue or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Both Matsue and Melbourne are notable 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.

Melbourne is a good town for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Matsue or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Melbourne 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 Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Matsue or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is an unbeatable place for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Melbourne is a very popular city for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Matsue is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Matsue and Melbourne.

Public transit in Matsue can get you to some places easily. 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Matsue or Melbourne a more walkable city?

Matsue and Melbourne both are excellent 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.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Melbourne?

In either Matsue or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than Matsue because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Matsue, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

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

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

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

One day in Matsue or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Matsue. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Matsue or Melbourne?

You'll find museums and food around the peaceful destination of Matsue. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Melbourne 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 Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the serene town of Matsue. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Melbourne?

Matsue is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Matsue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Matsue is in Asia and Melbourne is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Matsue has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Matsue or Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Melbourne. Many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Matsue is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Matsue this time of the year. In the summer, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Melbournein January. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Melbournein January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Melbourne in the Autumn?

Both Melbourne and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Matsue is around the same temperature as Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Melbourne during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Melbournein April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne and Matsue during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. In January, Matsue is generally much colder than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Melbournein July. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Melbournein July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Melbourne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Melbourne. The spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Melbournein October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Matsue