Visit Mastumoto

Matsumoto’s draws include Kamikochi, known as a natural cooler 1,500 meters up, and the Norikura Highlands, at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. In the summer, you can satisfy an adventurous heart with SUP on Azusa Lake, glittering emerald-green, or shower climbing (wading upstream through the waterways) so you can directly feel the clear streams of water. Snow shoes are overwhelmingly popular among visitors in winter. The experience of walking through a silver-white world completely covered with powder snow, traveling past frozen waterfalls, offers a moment of bliss when you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city. If you take a tour on the latest power-assisted bicycles (e-bikes), even people who are not physically fit can take a ride that cuts through the wind, parallel to the magnificent ridgeline of the northern Alps.

If you want to experience the weight of history, don't miss the samurai/ninja experience at National Treasure Matsumoto Castle. It’s very popular among guests: participants put on real armor and a helmet and take a commemorative photograph against the backdrop of the black-lacquered keep. This is more than simple cosplay; it’s a cultural experience that enables you to connect with the spiritual nature of “Bushido,” the samurai code. You can also wear a colorful kimono and take a rickshaw to explore Nakamachi-dori street in the castle town, as if you’ve slipped back in time to the Edo period (1603–1868). If you’re seeking a more dynamic experience, we recommend a taiko drum performance experience that will resonate with your heartbeat. The strong rhythm and vibrations transcend any language barriers and share the energy of Japan’s culture with you directly.

Matsumoto’s gastronomy, which developed thanks to its abundant waters, is truly made up of the “blessings of the land.” In a soba-making experience representative of Shinshu, you can receive guidance from an experienced noodle-maker, enabling you to savor the aroma of noodles freshly created by your hands. Asian epicures favor the experience of collecting fresh wasabi, grown only in the cool, clear streams, and grating it on the spot to accompany an extravagant lunch. People who want to learn more about the history of Japanese sake will find perfect tasting tours in long-running sake breweries founded more than 100 years ago. At night, you can enjoy a dessert made with succulently sweet fruits from Shinshu or local sake only available in the area in an izakaya, a traditional Japanese pub where you can encounter local shop owners. And making cute “temari-ame” candies is a creative experience that will delight families with children.

Matsumoto is also famous as a town of craftsmanship, and its “monozukuri” (manufacturing) experiences, requiring quiet concentration, offer solace to discerning travelers. Coaster-making using Japan’s traditional “ikkanbari” technique involves a special program through which you can bring the warmth of washi paper home for everyday life. “Renzuru,” a technique of folding multiple cranes from a single sheet of paper, fascinates guests with a strong sense of intellectual curiosity as art symbolizing the perseverance and delicacy of the Japanese people. Making a herbarium, which encloses plants and flowers from Shinshu, is a way of creating your own archive of Japanese scenery in a bottle. The time you spend closely watching and learning from the movements of the craftsperson’s fingers, being directly taught, will surely become a once-in-a-lifetime memory, more valuable than any souvenir.

Matsumoto’s appeal doesn’t fit within the bounds of a simple sightseeing location. The cool air of the northern Alps, the majesty of the shining black castle, and the subtle inspiration of the craftspeople: by “experiencing” all of these, you too will become part of the story of the land of Matsumoto. The city is easily accessible via a JR Pass, and card payments and digital guides have advanced, so even solo travelers can have fun with peace of mind. Find yourself surrounded by the splendor of nature, experience the spirituality of Japan, and be entranced by delicious dishes. On your next trip to Japan, why not make the “real Japan” you can only experience in Matsumoto the highlight of your journey? We warmly await your visit.