Which city is cheaper, Matsue or Nagano?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nagano vs. Matsue for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Nagano or Matsue?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Matsue 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: Nagano or Matsue?
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNagano $101Matsue $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Nagano is $101, while the average daily cost in Matsue is $74. 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 Nagano and Matsue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNagano $69Matsue $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNagano $138Matsue $58
Compare Hotels in Nagano and Matsue
Looking for a hotel in Nagano or Matsue? 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: Nagano Hotel Prices and Matsue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nagano $11Matsue $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Nagano or Matsue?
Prices for flights to both Matsue and Nagano 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 dayNagano $25Matsue $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nagano $9.21Matsue $9.95
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- Nagano Guided Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji, Obuse: $1.72
- Apple picking experience in Iiyama, Nagano: $12
- COCORETO Daikon-Island Cycling Guid Tour: $23
- Nagano Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $36
- Tsukiji old market vs Toyosu new market Special Secret Tour: $175
- Private Custom Tour in TATEYAMA: $331
Tours and Activities in Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adachi Museum Private Customized Guided Tour from Matsue: $396
- Private Customized Tour with Izumo Taisha Shrine: $88
- Romantic Tour In Matsue: $496
- The best of Matsue walking tour: $496
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNagano -Matsue $7.74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Matsue, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano than you might in Matsue.
When is the best time to visit Nagano or Matsue?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Nagano or Matsue in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Matsue.
Nagano is around the same temperature as Matsue in the summer. The temperature in Nagano is usually 25°C (77°F) in July, and Matsue stays around 25°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Matsue. Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNagano 25°C (77°F)Matsue 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Nagano or Matsue in the Autumn?
Both Matsue and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Nagano is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October are around 16°C (60°F), and Matsue is about 17°C (62°F).
Nagano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Nagano. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Matsue. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNagano 16°C (60°F)Matsue 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Nagano or Matsue in the Winter?
Both Matsue and Nagano during the winter are popular places to visit.
Matsue can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Matsue. Temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Matsue stays around 4°C (39°F).
It's quite sunny in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.
Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Matsue. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNagano 2°C (36°F)Matsue 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Nagano or Matsue in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Matsue.
Nagano is cooler than Matsue in the spring. The temperature in Nagano is usually 11°C (52°F) in April, and Matsue stays around 13°C (55°F).
Nagano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Nagano usually receives less rain than Matsue. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNagano 11°C (52°F)Matsue 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Matsue and Nagano
| Nagano | Matsue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 446 mm (17.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 275 mm (10.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 222 mm (8.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 227 mm (9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (50°F) | 339 mm (13.3 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 440 mm (17.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
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