Visit Mastumoto

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.

Shichiju Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the four great deities: Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami, Takamimusubi-no-Kami, Kamimusubi-no-Kami, and Amaterasu-Ōmikami.Established at its present location in 1879 (Meiji 12) under the direct rule of Emperor Meiji, it is revered as the "God of Granting Wishes" because it possesses the supreme divine virtues of the Three Creators and the most exalted Amaterasu Omikami, meaning all prayers are fulfilled.Widely

known by the name "Shinto," its annual festival is also called the Shinto Festival, celebrated as the grand autumn festival representing the Matsumoto Plain. Along with exploring

Matsumoto Castle, Nakamachi Street, and Nawate Street, be sure to visit this powerful spiritual spot.

Nawate Street once lay between the southern outer moat of Matsumoto Castle and the clear stream of the Metoba River; its name comes from the thin and long rope-like (""nawa"") riverbank (“dote”). Since the construction of Yohashira Shrine in 1879, it has developed as the approach to the shrine.

Frogs are the symbol of this street. Kajika frogs, which once lived in the Metoba River, can only survive in clean rivers. Nawate’s mascot characters Metoba and Gota represent the wish for the Metoba River to once again become clean enough for kajika frogs to live there, and stand at the eastern and western entrances to the street.

You’ll find rows of individual shops here, from old-fashioned hardware stores and florists to fashionable general goods stores, which have recently increased in number.

As this street is a year-round pedestrian zone, small children, pets, and even wheelchair-users can explore with peace of mind.

Why not visit Nawate together with Matsumoto Castle and Nakamachi Street?

Nakamachi Street is a street of merchant houses that flourished in the Edo period (1603–1868) along the Zenkoji Temple road. A large number of clay-walled buildings in the style of traditional kura storehouses, with white and black namako walls made of plaster, were built here to protect the street from great fires at the end of the Edo period and during the Meiji period (1868–1912), and still remain today, creating the feel of the Matsumoto of the past.

Old and new stores coexist in Nakamachi Street, which preserves the vestiges of the old wholesale district (tonyagai). It’s loved by many people of all ages for its Matsumoto Mingei Kagu showroom, craft shops, fashionable cafes, and restaurants. You’ll find wells throughout the merchant area, quietly telling of life in a castle town.

Every Saturday from April to December, a morning market is held from 9:30 AM,  where local farmers sell fresh vegetables and seasonal flowers. The spectacle of what is known as “Japan’s shortest morning market,” which can sell out in just 10 minutes, is another of Nakamachi’s attractions.

We recommend visiting this street together with Matsumoto Castle and Nawate Street.

Kamikochi is a mountainous area with picturesque scenery located in Chubusangaku National Park in the northern Alps, lying at an elevation of 1,500 meters. Here you’ll find the crystal-clear Azusa River, the towering Hotaka Mountains, and Kamikochi’s symbol, Kappa Bridge. Its awe-inspiring scenery has been designated a national cultural property (Special Place of Scenic Beauty/Special Natural Monument).

From Kappa Bridge, you can look out at a landscape made up of mountains 3,000 meters high and a clear stream that sparkles emerald-green. Its clarity and grandeur makes the hustle and bustle of everyday life vanish in an instant. Walk through the forest, shrouded in morning mist, to engage all your senses: hear the pleasant sounds of the mountain streams, feel the refreshing mountain air on your skin, and take deep breaths of the forest scent. Kamikochi was once a forestry area belonging to Matsumoto Han (feudal domain) that served as a timber-producing site, but with visits from mountain climbers, it has now transformed into a treasured and protected mountain resort.

You can easily enjoy the scenery through a day’s trekking, or stay in an accommodation facility or a tent and welcome the dawn in the forest, enveloped in stillness. This is a place that will inspire new emotions each time you visit.

You can visit the mountains from April 17 to November 15 each year.

The Kamikochi Kaizansai Festival is held on April 27.

JR Matsumoto Station is the representative transport hub of Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture, and is the starting point of your trip, where the limited express trains from the Shinjuku area and regular trains arrive and depart. The station has two exits, the Castle Exit (East Exit) and the Alps Exit (West Exit), and is characterized by its structure, with views of the mountains of the northern Alps from the free walkway running east-west. The station also houses a tourist information center, where you can discover information about tourism in Matsumoto City and discuss plans for excursions. There are plenty of hotels and eateries in this area, making it a convenient base for sightseeing in Matsumoto.