With all the rain and chilly temperatures earlier this week, the tallest mountains of the Japan Alps got their first blanket of snow! Although the Alps are best for climbing in the summer, I have to say that they are best for viewing when the peaks have a nice cap of snow on top.

The two photos are from the Satoyamabe area on the east side of Matsumoto, but you can also get a decent view of the mountains right from Matsumoto Castle, or there’s a nice panoramic rooftop viewing point at the Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre (map – just take the elevator near the main entrance to the top floor. It’s free to go in).

And a bonus photo below from the Japanese version of the Matsumoto tourism website blog 🙂