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

Should you visit Matsue or Picton?

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 Picton 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. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a relaxing, picturesque, and scenic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Matsue and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Picton. Although Matsue and Picton are both popular with visitors, Picton has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Picton is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Matsue is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Picton is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. It is also home to the Queen Charlotte Track.

How is Matsue different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Matsue is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Picton 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.

Picton has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Matsue or Picton Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Matsue or Picton has a better nightlife 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.

Picton doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Matsue or Picton Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Picton attract visitors from all over. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Picton Better for its Old Town?

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

Matsue offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Picton does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Picton?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Picton and Matsue.

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.

Picton has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Matsue or Picton Better for Families?

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

Picton is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Picton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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 Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Picton is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Matsue can get you to most 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.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Matsue or Picton a more walkable city?

Matsue and Picton 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.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Picton?

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

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

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

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

One day in Matsue or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Matsue. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Picton. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Matsue or Picton?

Matsue 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.

Picton 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 Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Picton. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the serene destination of Matsue. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Picton. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Auckland, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Picton, we can see that Picton 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 Picton 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 Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Picton?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Picton, 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 Picton?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton 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 Picton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Picton. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Matsue is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Matsue usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Matsue or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Picton. Many travelers come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Matsue is generally a little warmer than Pictonin April. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue usually gets more rain in October than Pictonin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Matsue in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Matsue can get quite cold in the winter. Matsue is much colder than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Picton. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In January, Matsue usually receives more rain than Pictonin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Matsue or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Matsue during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Matsue for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Matsue is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in April than Pictonin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Picton and Matsue