A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nagoya vs. Matsue for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nagoya or Matsue?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nagoya or Matsue? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Nagoya or Matsue?

Nagoya

Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, as well as one of the nation's major economic centers, being the home of auto giants like Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors. With a history that dates back to samurai and ninja, Nagoya has evolved over the years into a trade center and hub for automobile and aircraft manufacturing. And it's also home to the Legoland resort!

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.

Which place is cheaper, Matsue or Nagoya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nagoya is $96, while the average daily cost in Matsue is $71. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nagoya and Matsue in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nagoya $51
    Matsue $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nagoya $102
    Matsue $56
Compare Hotels in Nagoya and Matsue

Looking for a hotel in Nagoya 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.

Hotels in Nagoya


Hotels in Matsue


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: Nagoya Hotel Prices and Matsue Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nagoya $12
    Matsue $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagoya

Also for Nagoya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Chubu Centrair Airport: Private transfer to/from Nagoya: $188
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Nagoya Station to Nagoya City: $25
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Nagoya City to Nagoya Station: $25
  • Nagoya ⇔ Takayama ‐ Gujo Hachiman Bus Transfer: $33
  • Private Departure Airport Transfer: Nagoya to Chubu Airport: $377
  • Private Departure Transfer Nagoya City to Chubu Centrair International Airport: $267
  • Round Trip Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO) Transfer to Nagoya City Center: $202
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Nagoya City to Chubu Airport: $101

Is it cheaper to fly into Nagoya or Matsue?

Prices for flights to both Matsue and Nagoya 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nagoya $30
    Matsue $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagoya

For Nagoya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lovelin's Cooking tour and City tour: $59
  • Market Tour and Authentic Nagoya Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local in Her Home: $92
  • Nagoya Home Cooking Class: Nagoya Soul Food "Misokatsu": $93
  • Japanese Food tour in Nagoya: $123
  • Specialties of Nagoya Food Tour: $130
  • Customizable Private Food Tour in Nagoya: $166
  • Endoji Food tour and Japanese Lantern Making: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nagoya $9.19
    Matsue $9.65

Tours and Activities in Nagoya

For Nagoya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Shodo Experience in Nagoya: $54
  • Batam Female Tour Guide: $58
  • Nagoya Street Food Walking Tour of Osu: $59
  • Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) Experience near Nagoya: $61
  • Kimono Photo Shoot Experience in Nagoya: $66
  • Customized Private Tour: $68
  • Making Soba Experience: $70
  • Private Morning Yanagibashi Fish Market and Sushi Tour in Nagoya: $81
  • UNESCO Tour to Shiragawago & Takayama - from Nagoya: $84
  • Private Tour - See the biggest shopping street in Nagoya, gourmet and more!: $84
  • Nagoya / Aichi Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide: $103
  • From Gujo Hachiman & Shirakawago 1-Day Tour with Lunch: $106

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nagoya $14
    Matsue $7.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Nagoya

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nagoya:

  • Guided tour to Japanese Brewery "Kirin Beer" in Nagoya (3hours): $91


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


When is the best time to visit Nagoya 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 Nagoya or Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Nagoya during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Nagoya is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Temperatures in Nagoya average around 27°C (80°F), and Matsue stays around 25°C (78°F).

In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Nagoya often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Nagoya gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 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 Nagoya. Nagoya usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Nagoya gets 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nagoya 27°C (80°F) 
    Matsue 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Nagoya or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagoya and Matsue.

Nagoya is around the same temperature as Matsue in the autumn. The temperature in Nagoya is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Matsue stays around 17°C (62°F).

Nagoya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during autumn. Nagoya gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagoya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nagoya usually receives less rain than Matsue. Nagoya gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nagoya 18°C (64°F) 
    Matsue 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Nagoya or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nagoya as well as Matsue.

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. The weather in Nagoya can be very cold. In the winter, Nagoya is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagoya in January are around 4°C (40°F), and Matsue is about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Nagoya often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Nagoya gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Nagoya usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Nagoya gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nagoya 4°C (40°F) 
    Matsue 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Nagoya or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Nagoya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Nagoya is generally a little warmer than Matsue. Temperatures in Nagoya average around 14°C (58°F), and Matsue stays around 13°C (55°F).

Nagoya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during spring. Nagoya gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Nagoya. In April, Nagoya usually receives more rain than Matsue. Nagoya gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nagoya 14°C (58°F) 
    Matsue 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Matsue and Nagoya

Nagoya Matsue
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 152 mm (6 in) 13°C (55°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 213 mm (8.4 in) 21°C (71°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 213 mm (8.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 268 mm (10.6 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 204 mm (8 in) 23°C (73°F) 216 mm (8.5 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (53°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)


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Nagoya vs. Matsue Travel Comparison

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