A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Nara vs. Matsue for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nara or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Nara 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.

Nara

Nara is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Matsue

Matsue is a pretty, serene, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Nara and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nara or Matsue?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nara than Matsue. Nara is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nara is better known for its nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Matsue is more popular for its food and impressive beauty. Matsue is more touristy than Nara and is known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Nara is well known for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. Also, Nara is famous for Nara Park.

How is Nara different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Matsue and Nara. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nara or Matsue?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Nara and Matsue.

Nara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

Many visitors head to Matsue specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Matsue is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Nara or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Nara know how to have a good time. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

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 Nara or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the notable old towns in both Nara and Matsue.

Many people head to Nara to see the old town. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

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.

Is Nara or Matsue Better for Hiking?

Nara 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 Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nara or Matsue?

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

Nara is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

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 Nara or Matsue Better for Families?

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

Nara is a very kid-friendly city. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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 Nara or Matsue Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Nara frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Matsue is a good city 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 Nara or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nara and Matsue are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nara. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Matsue is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Both Nara and Matsue offer excellent public transit options.

The public transit in Nara can get you around easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Matsue offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Is Nara or Matsue a more walkable city?

Nara and Matsue both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Nara?

How long in Nara or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nara and Matsue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Matsue than in Nara. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nara, and 2-3 days is enough time in Matsue.

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

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

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

One day in Nara or Matsue?

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

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Matsue. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Nara or Matsue?

Nara 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.

Matsue is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nara or Matsue?

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the peaceful destination of Matsue. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nara or Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Nara. This city 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.

The historic town of Matsue offers museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Nara or Matsue?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nara or Matsue in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Matsue. Many visitors come to Nara in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nara is around the same temperature as Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Matsue this time of the year. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during summer. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nara usually receives less rain than Matsue. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nara or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nara as well as Matsue. Most visitors come to Nara for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nara is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nara in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Nara often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nara usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. The weather in Nara can be very cold. In January, Nara is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 4°C (40°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Nara usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In January, Nara usually receives less rain than Matsue. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nara or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Nara during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nara this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty.

Nara is around the same temperature as Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Nara often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 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 Nara. Nara usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Matsue. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Nara