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

Should you visit Tokyo or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Tokyo 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.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a iconic, eclectic, and cutting edge 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Matsue

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

Tokyo and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Matsue?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Matsue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tokyo is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is known for its historical sights. Tokyo is popular for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also home to The Sensō-ji Temple. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Tokyo different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Tokyo 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 Tokyo are among the most recognizable in the world. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

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 Tokyo or Matsue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tokyo 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 Tokyo have been singled out for their culinary prowess. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

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 Tokyo or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Tokyo is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

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 Tokyo or Matsue Better for Music?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Matsue is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Tokyo The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Matsue is not a live music destination.

Is Tokyo or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

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.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Matsue?

Tokyo 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 Tokyo make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

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 Tokyo or Matsue Better for Families?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Tokyo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

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 Tokyo or Matsue Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Tokyo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

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 Tokyo or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tokyo and Matsue are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Tokyo. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

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 Tokyo or Matsue Better for Students?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Tokyo is a very popular city for students. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Matsue is not popular with students.

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

Tokyo 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 Tokyo can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

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 Tokyo or Matsue a more walkable city?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Tokyo on foot is easy. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

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 Tokyo Worth Visiting? and Is Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tokyo and Matsue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than in Matsue. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Matsue.

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

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

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

One day in Tokyo or Matsue?

Tokyo 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.

In Matsue, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this pretty 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 Tokyo or Matsue?

Tokyo is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Tokyo or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. 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 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 Tokyo or Matsue?

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the quiet 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Matsue?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo or Matsue in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Matsue. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music 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.

Tokyo is around the same temperature as Matsue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Matsue. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tokyo or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Tokyo during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. In the winter, Tokyo is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Matsue averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tokyo usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Matsue. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty.

In April, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tokyo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Matsue. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Tokyo