A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Matsue for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Shanghai or Matsue?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Matsue. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a trendy, modern, and cosmopolitan port city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. 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 nightlife.

Matsue

Matsue is a peaceful, pretty, and serene 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.

Shanghai and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Matsue?

You'll generally find more things to do in Shanghai than Matsue. Shanghai is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Shanghai is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is more popular for its historical sights. Shanghai is well known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. Also, Shanghai is famous for The Bund. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Shanghai different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Shanghai 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 Shanghai are among the most recognizable in the world. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

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 Shanghai or Matsue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Shanghai 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 Shanghai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

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 Shanghai or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Shanghai is a port city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Shanghai has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

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 Shanghai or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a good destination for its old town. However, Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Matsue to see the old town. 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.

Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Matsue?

Shanghai 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 Shanghai make it a world-class shopping destination. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

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 Shanghai or Matsue Better for Families?

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

Shanghai is a very kid-friendly port city. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

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 Shanghai or Matsue Better for Couples?

Shanghai is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Shanghai is a great port city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

Matsue is a good port 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 Shanghai or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Shanghai is a great port city to visit for backpackers. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

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

Is Shanghai or Matsue Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Shanghai. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

Matsue is not popular with students.

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

Both Shanghai and Matsue offer very good public transit options.

Shanghai has some very good public transit options. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

The public transit in Matsue can get you to most places easily. 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 Shanghai or Matsue a more walkable city?

Shanghai and Matsue both are very good when exploring on foot.

Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

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 Shanghai Worth Visiting? and Is Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Matsue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Matsue. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Matsue.

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

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

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

One day in Shanghai or Matsue?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Matsue offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Matsue?

Shanghai 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Matsue, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Matsue is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling big city of Shanghai. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Matsue is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Matsue?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai or Matsue in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Matsue. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences.

Shanghai is a little warmer than Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°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. In Shanghai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Matsue. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Matsue in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Matsue. The autumn months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

In the autumn, Shanghai is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Shanghai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. In January, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Shanghai gets 135 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, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Matsue. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue and Shanghai during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty.

Shanghai is a little warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Shanghai gets 153 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 Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Shanghai