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

Should you visit Yokohama or Matsue?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama 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.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a laid-back, diverse, and bright 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Yokohama and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Matsue?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Yokohama than Matsue. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Yokohama is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Matsue is more touristy than Yokohama and is known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Yokohama is famous for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also well known for the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Yokohama different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Yokohama and Matsue have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yokohama can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Yokohama or Matsue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Yokohama and Matsue.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Yokohama makes for a great culinary experience. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Matsue has a huge number of terrific 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 Yokohama or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Yokohama know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

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 Yokohama or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Yokohama does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Matsue to see the historical 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.

Yokohama does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Yokohama or Matsue?

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

Yokohama is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

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 Yokohama or Matsue Better for Families?

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

Yokohama is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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 Yokohama or Matsue Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Yokohama frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

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 Yokohama or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yokohama and Matsue are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yokohama. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Matsue is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Yokohama or Matsue Better for Students?

Yokohama is a city with good options for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Yokohama is popular with students. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Matsue is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Yokohama and Matsue.

Public transit in Yokohama is fairly effecient and thorough. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

Matsue has some very good public transit options. 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 Yokohama or Matsue a more walkable city?

Yokohama and Matsue both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Yokohama is very walkable. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Matsue is a very walkable city. 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 Yokohama Worth Visiting? and Is Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Matsue?

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

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

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

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

One day in Yokohama or Matsue?

Yokohama is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Yokohama or Matsue?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Matsue?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated big city of Yokohama. This 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Matsue?

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

Both Matsue and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Yokohama is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yokohama in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during summer. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In July, Yokohama usually receives less rain than Matsue. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Yokohama or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue and Yokohama during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Yokohama is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 18°C (64°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Yokohama gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 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 Yokohama. Yokohama usually gets more rain in October than Matsue. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Matsue. Many visitors come to Yokohama in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. Yokohama is a little warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Yokohama usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Yokohama usually receives less rain than Matsue. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Yokohama or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Matsue. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Yokohama is around the same temperature as Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yokohama in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yokohama usually gets more rain in April than Matsue. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Yokohama