Should you visit Osaka or Matsue?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Matsue, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 city is cheaper, Matsue or Osaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $93, while the average daily cost in Matsue is $73. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Osaka and Matsue in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Osaka can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $46, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $92.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Matsue is $58. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
The average traveler spends about $27 per day in Osaka for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Matsue travelers spend around $31 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Osaka $27
Matsue $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Street Food Tour Around Dotonburi Canal:
$9.84
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Takoyaki Cooking Class:
$13
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Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
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Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Deep Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba, Osaka:
$30
-
Deep Food Tour ＆ Bar Hopping in Temma, Osaka:
$30
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(Online)Popular Japanese pancake and miso soup cooking:
$31
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Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Matsue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Matsue.
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Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
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Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
-
Morning Wagyu Kaiseki Cooking Course:
$60
Local Transportation
Osaka's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Osaka.
The average price of local transportation around Matsue is $22 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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1 Day Fuji Q Liner Pass with Two Way Transfer from Tokyo:
$76
-
Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport:
$105
-
Departure Private Transfer from Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX by Minivan:
$124
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Departure Private Transfer from Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX by Sedan Car:
$119
-
Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car:
$218
-
Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van:
$269
-
Ferry Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
-
Japan Private Airport Transfer from Osaka City to Kansai Airport(KIX):
$168
-
Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Shin Osaka Station to Osaka City:
$25
-
Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station:
$25
-
KIX Airport Transfers (to or from OSAKA) by Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018:
$323
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:
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[5%OFF] Ferry Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry:
$6.09
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfers for Chichibugahama Beach:
$23
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Shared Night Bus Transfers from Osaka to Tokyo:
$62
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Shared Night Bus Transfers from Kyoto to Tokyo:
$62
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Private Transfers Between the New National Stadium (Olympic Stadium) and Tokyo City or Airports:
$152
-
Private Transfers Between Yoyogi National Stadium (Olympic Stadium) and Tokyo City or Airports:
$153
-
Private Transfers Between Yokohama Port (Osanbashi Terminal) and Tokyo City or Shin Yokohama City:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo Stadium and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
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Private Transfers Between Tokyo International Forum and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Nippon Budokan and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
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Private Transfers Between Musashino Forest Sports Plaza and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Matsue?
Prices for flights to both Matsue and Osaka 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Osaka can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $20 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Matsue's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $9.83 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
$42
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Uzu no Michi and Onaruto Bridge Hall Edy Ticket:
$3.75
-
Yunomoto Onsen Experience in Hokkaido :
$4.09
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[5% OFF] Akame 48 Watefalls / Ninja Training Experience Discount Ticket in Mie:
$4.35
-
Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Experience:
$4.39
-
Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
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Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
-
Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$4.55
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Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Ticket:
$4.85
-
Hida Kanayama Onsen Yutarikan Hot Spring Experience in Gifu:
$4.99
-
Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu:
$4.99
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Museum of Aeronautical Science Admission Ticket :
$5.09
Tours and Activities in Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Art Aquarium Museum Ticket in Tokyo:
$21
-
Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Chiba Mother Farm Ticket Tokyo:
$12
-
Hakodate-Onuma Segway Tours:
$82
-
Hakone Kamakura 3-Day Ticket Pass:
$63
-
Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun Hot Spring Theme Park One Day Ticket :
$21
-
Hakone Segway Tours:
$82
-
Izu Teddy Bear Museum Admission Ticket:
$13
-
Japanese Culture Experience at Kanda Myoujin Shrine EDOCCO Cha-ya in Tokyo:
$27
-
Kanda Myoujin Rakugo Show Ticket in Tokyo:
$7.29
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Kanda Myoujin Shrine Experience Ticket in Tokyo:
$45
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Kouri Ocean Tower Observation Deck Ticket in Okinawa:
$6.99
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Osaka spend on average $13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Matsue may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.64 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
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Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
-
Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour:
$20
-
Private Tour - Fashionable Pub Crawl at Osaka, Enjoy the Japanese Alcohol!:
$98
Sample the Local Flavors in Matsue
Also in Matsue, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Matsue, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka than you might in Matsue.
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