Visit Matsumoto

The park features the wooden Western-style architecture of the former Matsumoto High School, adding cultural charm. Its Japanese garden pond and Himalayan cedar-lined avenue paint scenes of the changing seasons. The approximately 150-meter-long avenue of Himalayan cedars is cherished as an iconic landscape and has been used as a filming location for movies and dramas. The central pond's tranquil surface reflects the sky and greenery, naturally drawing visitors to pause.Furthermore, the spacious lawn area known as "Peace Plaza" offers a relaxing space on sunny days, perfect for picnics and leisurely strolls. During the Craft Fair Matsumoto in May, it becomes a hub for creativity and exchange, drawing many people from across the nation.

A shop selling baked goods and gelato that opened on April 12, 2025, along Yamabiko Road.

(It is a sister shop to the popular café “Café Larch” on Tenjin-dori in Fukashi.)

You can walk here from Agata no Mori Park. (About a 5-minute walk)

Dogs are welcome on the outdoor benches, and leash hooks are provided.

Small dogs are welcome inside the shop as long as they are in a dog carrier or stroller and their faces are completely covered. ◎

The Matsumoto City Museum of Art is the place to experience the works of Yayoi Kusama, a world-renowned avant-garde artist originally from Matsumoto. 

At the museum’s entrance, the massive sculpture of vibrant tulips, Phantom Flower (2002), welcomes visitors, and the permanent exhibition allows you to fully immerse yourself in Yayoi Kusama’s works. The museum also features memorial galleries dedicated to Shinzan Kamijo, a calligrapher who is a local pride, and Kazuo Tamura, a Western-style painter who loved the mountains of Shinshu.

Since its opening in April 2002, the museum has aimed to be a comprehensive art museum rooted in the community, serving as a “forest of learning that opens the heart” for citizens.

The first floor features facilities to support educational activities, including a community studio, lecture rooms, and a printmaking room.

The second floor consists of a special exhibition hall, a multipurpose hall, and a community gallery, providing a space for appreciating a wide variety of art.

At the museum shop on the first floor, visitors can purchase original merchandise related to the collection and featured artists, items related to special exhibitions, and books on art.

We have also set up a baby care room so that visitors with small children can feel at ease.

Since the museum is within walking distance from Nakamachi Street, why not take a break from your stroll through the city to immerse yourself in the world of art?

Enjoy casual, carefully crafted Western-style dishes with a French twist.

Dogs are welcome on the terrace, and you can also use the grassy area in the courtyard to spend a relaxing time with your dog.

*Please use the art museum’s parking lot.

Matsumoto Castle boasts a magnificent jet-black keep that stands against the backdrop of the northern Alps. Like Himeji Castle, Hikone Castle, Inuyama Castle, and Matsue Castle, it has been designated as a National Treasure. The castle was built during the warring states period of the 15th and 16th centuries (Sengoku period), and takes pride in having the oldest extant keep with five external stories but six internal floors. Its stunning black form possesses a power and gracefulness that other castles lack, and never fails to fascinate visitors.

The castle’s greatest feature is the integration between its keep, built in a war-torn world, and its elegant Tsukimi Yagura (moon-viewing tower), which was added in an era of peace. The exquisite harmony formed by the architectural styles of the different eras is an absolute must-see.

Thanks to its history of overcoming numerous ongoing crises with the enthusiasm of the local people, Matsumoto Castle is deeply beloved as a symbol of the city and a source of comfort for its people. Make sure you experience the stunning views of the castle town from inside the castle, and the hopes and feelings of the people who live with it, for yourself.

This shop offers house-roasted specialty coffee, prepared by the owner, who gained experience at Maruyama Coffee.

The staff will recommend beans tailored to your preferences and lifestyle, so even if you’re unsure which coffee to choose, you’re in good hands.

You can also enjoy homemade sweets that pair perfectly with the coffee.

If you’re bringing your dog, you can sit on the open-air terrace and place your order through the small takeout window next to the entrance.

The café grounds feature a grassy dog run, along with a variety of amenities such as a water station, a paw-washing station, and benches for resting.

You can use the dog run for free if you make a purchase at the store.

(A one-time fee applies for the issuance of a dog run card on your first visit.)