Visit Matsumoto

If you visit Matsumoto, “Shinshu soba” is an absolute must-try. The region’s ideal environment—featuring meltwater from the Northern Alps and significant temperature differences between day and night—fosters the growth of premium soba noodles that are fragrant and firm. The city is home to numerous renowned restaurants, each offering its own unique style—from “hosoi-uchi” (thin-cut soba) with a refreshing mouthfeel to “inaka soba” (country-style soba) that lets you savor the nutty aroma of the buckwheat husks.If you’d like to experience a unique way of eating soba specific to Matsumoto, we recommend “Touji Soba,” which originated in the western part of the city (around the former Nagawa Village). This local dish involves placing small portions of soba noodles into a “Touji Kago” (a special basket) and dipping them into a hot pot filled with plenty of seasonal vegetables and mushrooms. It’s a dish packed with the wisdom of our ancestors, designed to warm your body from the core on a chilly day.

When you hear the name “Sanzokuyaki,” you might imagine a dish of grilled meat, but in Matsumoto, it refers to “a dish of whole chicken cutlets fried in a hearty style.” It’s a unique local dish said to derive its name from a pun: “Sanzoku” (mountain bandits) “take things away” (“tori-ageru”), which sounds like “frying chicken” (“tori-ageru”).Chicken thighs or breasts are slowly marinated in a soy sauce-based sauce infused with grated garlic, then coated in potato starch and deep-fried at a high temperature. This results in a crispy, aromatic exterior and a juicy interior bursting with natural juices. With its impressive portion size and appetizing aroma, it’s not only a perfect accompaniment to rice but also a fantastic pairing for beer. Be sure to try this soul food of Matsumoto’s residents.

A popular snack to enjoy while strolling or as a souvenir is “oyaki,” a traditional food from Shinshu. The dough, made from a mixture of wheat flour and buckwheat flour, is wrapped around fillings such as nozawana (pickled mustard greens), dried daikon radish, eggplant, and red bean paste; preparation methods vary by shop, ranging from steaming to baking. When you bite into the fragrant crust, the rich umami flavor of the miso- or soy sauce-seasoned fillings spreads throughout your mouth. Comparing the different textures and flavors of the dough is part of the fun.

You’ll often see these thick, white, rectangular loaves at bakeries in Matsumoto. This is “Milk Bread,” a local specialty that enjoys immense popularity in the area. Rich milk cream or buttercream is generously sandwiched between layers of fluffy, soft dough, and its retro appearance and substantial size are simply irresistible. Many bakeries in the city make their own versions of Milk Bread, with each shop offering its own unique take on the cream’s sweetness and the bread’s texture.Be sure to visit a few different shops, enjoy comparing them, and find your own personal “favorite.”

In fact, Matsumoto is often referred to as the “City of Curry,” with a wide variety of unique specialty restaurants dotted throughout the city. The flavors range from Western-style curries at Western-style restaurants to authentic curries with a bold blend of spices, all the way to creative, one-of-a-kind dishes. From mid-February to late March, the “Matsumoto Curry Rally” is held, allowing you to enjoy a curry tour while strolling through the city. Why not come to Matsumoto and find your favorite curry spot?

Matsumoto, a castle town that still retains strong traces of the sophisticated culture of the Meiji and Taisho periods, is dotted with Western-style restaurants that exude a sense of history. Classic dishes like hamburger steaks, omelet rice, and sautéed pork offer a nostalgic, comforting flavor. The depth of the carefully prepared demi-glace sauce conveys the skill and pride that have been passed down through the generations.

In the Shinshu region, including Matsumoto, a long-standing tradition of enjoying horse meat has been passed down through the generations. There are restaurants in the city that serve horse sashimi, which is characterized by its tender, vivid cherry-pink lean meat and refined umami flavor. You can also enjoy the distinct characteristics of different cuts, such as marbled meat and mane. Another appealing feature of lean horse meat is its high protein content and relatively low fat. Served with garlic and ginger and dipped in soy sauce, it pairs exceptionally well with sake.

"Shinshu Salmon" is a farmed fish native to Nagano, a "landlocked prefecture." Bred by crossbreeding rainbow trout and brown trout, it is characterized by its vibrant salmon-pink flesh and fine-grained texture. Its moderate fat content harmonizes with a rich umami flavor, and when enjoyed as sashimi, it offers a melt-in-your-mouth texture. This unique flavor of Shinshu is available in Matsumoto City as well.

Matsumoto, known as the “City of Folk Crafts,” is dotted with cozy coffee shops and cafes. While each establishment has its own unique decor and special touches, the real appeal lies in being able to leisurely savor a carefully brewed cup of coffee. Some spaces make use of historic buildings, while others retain a traditional charm, making them perfect for a morning meal or a break during a stroll. Here, you can enjoy a moment of tranquility, letting time slip by as you sip your drink.

Once the daytime bustle dies down, Matsumoto transforms into a “city of bars.” As is well known throughout the country, the city is dotted with a diverse array of bars, ranging from authentic, traditional establishments to casual standing-style bars.

In addition to legendary establishments like “MAIN BAR COAT,” many bars offer fresh cocktails made with local fruits, and every one of them warmly welcomes first-time visitors.

Why not round off your trip by spending some sophisticated evening hours immersing yourself in Matsumoto’s nightlife?

Matsumoto’s food culture is shaped by the rich natural beauty of the Northern Alps, the history of its castle town, and the daily lives of its people, deeply rooted in the region. The refreshing aroma of Shinshu soba, the hearty “Sanzokuyaki,” and a relaxing moment at a coffee shop that blends seamlessly into the cityscape—each of these experiences has a unique local backdrop.

With so many famous culinary delights that a single visit simply cannot cover them all, this is a city that fills you with anticipation for your next visit—whether it’s thinking, “Next time, I’ll try that restaurant,” or “I want to savor the seasonal fruits.” Why not set out on a culinary journey through Matsumoto?