A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Osaka vs. Matsue for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Osaka or Matsue?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Matsue, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Osaka

Osaka is a vibrant, cultural, and high energy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue

Matsue is a historic, quiet, and peaceful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Osaka and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Osaka or Matsue?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Osaka than Matsue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Osaka is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is known for its impressive beauty. Osaka is popular for its diverse street food, eclectic shopping and its economic roots as a port city. It is also home to Osaka Castle. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Osaka different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Osaka is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Osaka are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with impressive sights that are both old and new. A highlight is a visit to Osaka Castle, which dates back to the 1500s. The city's most well known temple is Shitennō-ji Temple and the Kobe Port Tower is another recognizable sight. Other highlights include the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, and the National Museum of Art.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Matsue. 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 Osaka or Matsue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Osaka is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Osaka have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's one of the top culinary cities in Japan, and you'll find both local and regional dishes throughout. Street food is famous here, but there are also award winning restaurants and small traditional venues. Sushi and sashimi is a favorite, and it's focused simple and high quality ingredients. You'll find some great sushi restaurants around Kuromon Ichiba Market. Another unique experience is to visit a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Land lovers should try the Yakiniku and Horumon, which is Japanese barbecue. And, of course, there's the ramen. Don't miss the ramen!

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Osaka or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Osaka is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Osaka is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city really comes to life after the sun sets. The buildings light up and the energy is palpable. In addition to the many world class restaurants, there are countless bars, pubs and izakaya, which are Japanese-style bars. Beer is popular, with many internationally recognized brands available. The most popular nightlife area is Dotonbori, which is along the Dotonbori River.

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 Osaka or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Osaka is a great destination for its old town. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Osaka is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. If you want to step back in time, head to Shinsekai, which holds tight to its traditional street life scene. There are old-school arcades, traditional shops, and local street food to sample.

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 the Shopping Better in Osaka or Matsue?

Osaka is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Osaka make it a world-class shopping destination. There is everything from grand shopping malls to specialty boutique shops that sell antiques or local trinkets. Umeda Shopping Arcade is a large mall that has everything. For international brands, head to America Mura, which is where many of the younger Japanese hang out. Shinsaibashi-Suji Street is a favorite shopping street in the city and also not-to-be-missed.

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 Osaka or Matsue Better for Families?

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

Osaka is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the view from the observatory of the Umeda Sky Building or taking a ride on the HEP Five Ferris Wheel. There is also the Kids Plaza Osaka as well as arcades along Tenjinbashi suji Shopping Street. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Osaka Castle and museum lovers will also appreciate visiting the Osaka Science Museum or the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.

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 Osaka or Matsue Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Osaka frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's atmosphere is filled with an energy that couples will enjoy. You can take a walk along the Tombori Riverwalk. For a touch of nature, head to Minoh Park and check out Minoh Falls, or for a relaxing experience, visit the hot springs at Solaniwa Onsen. Other fun activities include taking a ride on the Hep Five Ferris wheel or sampling the city's famous street food.

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 Osaka or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Osaka is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels around town and street food is an affordable and fun way to enjoy the city's culinary scene.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Osaka or Matsue Better for Students?

Osaka is a great destination for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Osaka. There's a colorful energy and a lively atmosphere that appeals to students. The city is also the second largest economic center in the country.

Matsue is not popular with students.

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

Osaka is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Osaka can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The best way to get around town is by subway or train. The main tourist areas are located along the Midosuji subway line, which runs north to south.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Matsue. 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 Osaka or Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Osaka is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Osaka is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Osaka?

How long in Osaka or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Osaka and Matsue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Osaka than in Matsue. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Osaka, and 2-3 days is enough time in Matsue.

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

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

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

One day in Osaka or Matsue?

Osaka is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Matsue, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this peaceful destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Osaka or Matsue?

Osaka 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Osaka or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Osaka. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Matsue is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Matsue. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Osaka or Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Osaka. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the pretty destination of Matsue. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Osaka or Matsue?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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 Osaka 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 Osaka or Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Osaka during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Osaka this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Osaka is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Osaka gets 183 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 Osaka. Osaka usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Matsue. Many travelers come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Osaka is a little warmer than Matsue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during autumn. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Osaka usually receives less rain than Matsue. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Osaka or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Matsue. Many visitors come to Osaka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Osaka is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Osaka in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Matsue averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Osaka often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Osaka usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Osaka for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty.

In April, Osaka is generally a little warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 15°C (59°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during spring. Osaka gets 176 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 Osaka. In April, Osaka usually receives more rain than Matsue. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Osaka