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

Should you visit Matsue or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Wellington?

You'll generally find more things to do in Wellington than Matsue. Wellington is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Wellington is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Matsue is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary.

How is Matsue different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Matsue is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Matsue offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Wellington 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.

Wellington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Matsue or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Wellington know how to have a good time. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its old town. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Wellington?

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

Wellington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

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 Wellington Better for Families?

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

Wellington is a very kid-friendly city. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Matsue and Wellington 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.

Wellington is a good town for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Matsue or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Wellington is a great city to visit for backpackers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a city with good options for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Matsue is not popular with students.

Is Matsue or Wellington 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 Wellington.

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 Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Matsue or Wellington a more walkable city?

Matsue and Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Wellington?

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

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

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

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

One day in Matsue or Wellington?

With museums and food around the pretty town of Matsue, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wellington. 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 Wellington?

With food and shopping around the destination of Matsue, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Matsue, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wellington?

Matsue is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the funky destination of Wellington. 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 Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Wellington?

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

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

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

Matsue is a little warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Matsue this time of the year. In the summer, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin January. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington 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 Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Matsue is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington 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 Wellington 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 Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

Wellington 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 January than Wellingtonin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Wellington in the Spring?

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

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

Matsue usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 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 Wellingtonin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Matsue