Many pass through historic Matsumoto on the way to Hakuba, Takayama, or Kiso, but you’ll be glad you took the time to explore this vibrant yet laid-back city of 250,000 at the foot of Japan’s Northern Alps. This is an easy, half-day guided walking tour to experience the city at its best, including its crown jewel, Matsumoto Castle.

Highlights

• Wander atmospheric backstreets and shopping fares with their traditional architecture
• Stop for a water break at one of the city’s many natural springs
• Visit Matsumoto Castle, with Japan’s oldest original castle tower, dating from the 1590s
• Learn about the castle town’s background and the ways its mountain environment has influenced its culture, then and now

Where: Downtown Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture

Duration: ~3 hours

Start and Finish Times: 9 a.m. from Matsumoto Station, finishing around 12 p.m. at Matsumoto Castle (Times and locations can be adjusted to suit your itinerary)

Distance: ~4 km (2.5 miles)

Elevation Gain: Negligible

Difficulty: Easy

Season: Year round

Price: ¥29,000 per tour for up to six people

Getting There: Matsumoto is a roughly 2.5 hr train ride from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, 3.5 hr from Osaka and 3 hr from Kyoto (via Nagoya). It’s 2.5 to 3 hr by bus from Takayama

Overview

Leaving Matsumoto Station, we walk the long approach to Fukashi Shrine, which retains Matsumoto’s name from former times. We then make our way to Nakamachi Street with its traditional architecture and the atmospheric walking street of Nawate-dori and Yohashira Jinja, one of the city’s most lively shrines. After walking backstreets in the old merchant area of town, we visit some classic neighborhood wells. The pure water that feeds them originates in the surrounding hills and mountains, and these springs are as prized by the locals today as they were in ancient times (have your water bottle ready!) From there we ascend a lookout with views the city and its rural surroundings, and on clear days out to the Northern Alps. It also has a good view over the Matsumoto Plain to where the warlords had their fortresses before Matsumoto Castle was built.  From there we head to the scenic castle grounds for a stroll, and possibly some mindful walking along the cherry tree-lined paths. You’ll have the option of venturing inside the castle at the end of the tour.

All tours are private, exclusively for your group. Inquire today to secure your dates.

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