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

Should you visit Matsue or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua 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 quiet, peaceful, and pretty town. With stunning beauty, Matsue attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Matsue travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a natural, world-renowned, and diverse town. The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Rotorua travel costs.

Matsue and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Rotorua?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rotorua than Matsue. While Matsue is larger than Rotorua, Rotorua has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rotorua is more popular for its nightlife and hiking, while Matsue is known for its historical sights. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. It is also home to Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

How is Matsue different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Matsue and Rotorua.

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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Matsue or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

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

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

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 Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Rotorua?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Matsue or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Matsue and Rotorua are somewhat similar when it comes to the great scenery.

The beauty of Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Matsue or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Matsue. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Matsue or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Matsue is a very walkable destination. 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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Matsue and Rotorua. In our opinion, Rotorua has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotorua than Matsue. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Matsue or Rotorua?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Matsue or Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the world-renowned destination of Rotorua. 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Rotorua?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Rotorua. The summer months attract visitors to Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In the summer, Matsue is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Matsue during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. Matsue is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Rotorua. Many visitors come to Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Matsue is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Matsue