Climb Japan’s oldest castle tower and you get a great 360° view of Matsumoto and the mountains all around. Those windows up on the top floor weren’t put there so the castle lords enjoy the scenery, of course; they gave those defending the castle town a wide-open view of the land and any enemies that might be approaching. The castle was actually situated as such to allow a clear view to the south where, not fifty years before, Takeda Shingen’s invading forces had appeared.

Up on the top floor of the castle keep you’ll stand where those defending forces once kept watch, looking out over the same land they watched though things have changed a bit in the last four centuries. And while you probably won’t spot any enemy invaders out on the plains, you will have to fight with the tourists around you for time enough to enjoy the view and get your fill of photographs.

 

 

By all means, climb that castle tower. But if you want more time to enjoy the views check out these five other places around town. They’re free, they’re never crowded, and in some cases offer that same 360° view of Matsumoto. Enjoy!

1. West Windows of Matsumoto Station

Aside from the window of your incoming train, this is your first chance to get a sweeping view of the mountains to the west, fronted by the town and, right under your nose, the train tracks. Granted it’s only three floors up, and the windows are somewhat less than telescope quality, but this is a good first chance to whet your appetite for the views to come.

 

2. City Hall

Located just east of the castle, City Hall has this little rooftop observatory that apparently doubles as a storage closet. The boxes and other assorted bits on the staircase leading up to it might make you wonder if you’ve maybe made a mistake. But keep climbing. Your 360° view is just steps away.

 

3. Shinmai Media Garden Building

This west-facing 3rd-Floor veranda overlooks downtown Ise-machi Avenue, which was at one point in history the trade route known as the Nomugi Kaido. The intersection below used to be at the crux of the people and goods moving through Matsumoto. Now it’s a great place to relax and take in the view – with a pint of fantastic craft beer if that’s your thing, available just inside the glass doors.

 

4. Performing Arts Center Rooftop

This has got to be one of Matsumoto’s best-kept secrets – at least it was until I decided to open my big mouth. Opened in 2004, the Matsumoto PAC is pretty eye-catching on the inside, and perfectly eye-popping up top. As soon as you enter the building look to your left; there’s an elevator right through the doorway. Take it up to the 3^rd Floor and step right outside.

 

 

5. AEON Mall

One of downtown’s most recent additions, this sprawling shrine to the living god of consumerism does concede a few freebies. On the 3^rd Floor of the main (north) building, tucked in between the Sports Authority and Doutor Coffee, is an outdoor seating area that gives a look to the northwest quadrant of town.

 

Walk across the outdoor corridor to the adjacent building (just south) and you’ll find yourself in a food court with huge windows offering expansive views to the east, including the wine country of Yamabe, the Utsukushi-ga-hara Highlands, and Hachibuse-yama, my favorite nearby mountain.

 

You can also, if you really want, go up to the rooftop parking lot for a wide outdoor view of the world around Matsumoto. There’s a rather high wall around the perimeter, though, and the place was made for cars, not pedestrians. You’re much better off atop the PAC.

And if you’re hungry…

On the top floor of the Alpico Bus Terminal Building there is an inexpensive Italian franchise restaurant called Saizeria. Hit it at the right time and you can snag a table by the windows overlooking the station, backed by some of the most beautiful peaks of Matsumoto.

 

 

Get Out of Town

The buildings downtown aren’t the only places to take in the view. Hike north and uphill to the observation tower at Joyama Park for an unimpeded view of the entire Northern Alps range and the Fuchu Plains below. Rivers, railroads, town and countryside: it’s all right there in front of you.

 

Hike further north along the same mountain ridge and you’ll reach the vast grassy spaces of Alps Park, where you can check out the same view from the ground or the top of the Nature Museum. (Yes, it’s basically the same view, but the park is much, much bigger if that’s a draw.)

Walk, cycle, or catch a bus up the Metoba River to the onsen village of Asama and you’ll find more mountaintop views of the area – this time with hot springs waiting at your feet.

 

To the southeast is Koboyama, awash in April with pink and white cherry blossoms and blessed all year round with wide views to the west. Kobo is called a mountain, but it’s more like a big hill. With a 3^rd Century burial mound on top.

 

If you are in search of the castle ruins that dot the hills east of town you can catch another great view of Matsumoto, right along the trail on the way up to where the Ogasawara clan built Hayashi Castle, in the middle of the 15^th Century.

 

While you’re out this way, you may be pleasantly surprised that you don’t have to climb any mountains, or even any steps, to be able to look out over Matsumoto. Granted you won’t see much of town beside a mass of walls and rooftops, but the mountains beyond out in plain view, fronted, often, with the picturesque gentility of the countryside.

 

 

And if you really want a mountain-view treat, grab a bicycle and pedal west out of town. The Azumino-Yamabiko Cycling Road leads you right out into the countryside, where the view is so mesmerizing you just might forget about the town behind you.

 

But do look back and all around. In every direction there’s just so much to enjoy!