The charming city of Matsumoto on the island of Honshu may not be the first place to visit that comes to mind for new travelers to Japan, but there is a lot to see and do in this scenic and wonderful city. If you want to check out the surrounding Japanese Alps, then it makes an excellent place to base yourself and go explore! The town itself sits in a gorgeous valley that is surrounded by craggy mountain scenery, and if you want to get out of the big city after too many days in Tokyo or Osaka, then this can be a nice change of pace.
Getting to Matsumoto:
Happily there are a number of ways to get to Matsumoto making it easy if you want to visit.
There is an airport in Matsumoto itself but this only has flights from neighboring Sapporo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Still, it is very convenient as it is only 20 minutes away from central Matsumoto.
Another option it to fly to Chubu Centrair International Airport which is close to Nagoya and then take a train that transfers in Nagoya and takes about 3 hours to Matsumoto.
You can also access Matsumoto from Narita Airport where it takes 5 hours by train, transferring in Shinjuku.
You can also take the train directly from Shinjuku to Matsumoto which takes 3 hours and will cost around ¥7000, or you could choose the Nagano Shinkansen which runs from Tokyo to Matsumoto in just over 2 hours and costs around ¥8500.
For a slightly cheaper option, you can also consider the bus which runs from Shinjuku at a cost of ¥3460.
Tourist Attractions:
Matsumoto Castle:
The main attraction in Matsumoto is the castle which is known for being the oldest wooden castle in Japan. This is something of a rarity in the country as many of the castles were destroyed by fires and reconstructed, so Matsumoto is definitely a site worth seeing and is considered among the top castles in Japan as well as one of the prettiest. It also stands in the center of a picturesque lake and features a famous red bridge that you need to cross to enter it.
Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum:
The Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum is small but interesting if you want to see some examples of arts and crafts from the local region. The items in the collection come from the personal collection of an arts and crafts enthusiast who donated them to the city where they were turned into a museum. Admission is ¥300.
Japan Ukiyo-e Museum:
Ukiyo-e are traditional Japanese block prints, and the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum has over 10,000 examples of this amazing art form. Only around 40 prints are on display at one time and the collections goes back over 200 years.
Nakamachi-dori:
Nakamachi-dori is conveniently located close to Matsumoto Castle and is a good place to come if you want to see how the city would have looked in the days of old. Many of the buildings on this street have been lovingly preserved and there are some buildings built in the kura or warehouse-style that can be spotted thanks to their white walls. These were prominent in merchant districts, and you will also find other curiosities along the road like ryokan, eateries, and boutiques.
Shopping and Duty Free:
Nawate-dori:
Nawate-dori is known for being one of the most famous shopping streets in Matsumoto. It is old fashioned in style and has small boutique-like shops that sell antiques and other memorials, as well as items such as second-hand books. This can be a great place to browse for a few hours and hunt for some bargains. Interestingly, the mascot of the street is a frog, so make sure to look out for the samurai frogs statue.
PARCO:
If you are looking for some more modern shopping option then one of the largest malls in the city is PARCO where you will find all the usual large Japanese brands including clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Recommended times to visit:
Spring:
Cherry blossom season in Matsumoto is in the springtime and arrives in the city in April. Matsumoto Castle is famous for its cherry blossoms that fill the grounds, which makes it a popular spot for all the locals.
Summer:
In the months from June onwards you can expect the temperatures in Matsumoto to be warm, however this is also the rainy season to take into consideration, which can cause it to rain often.
Winter:
Winter in Matsumoto can get very cold due to being close to the Japan Alps. Luckily, the snow isn’t too much of an issue and you can relatively enjoy the city just as easily as any other time of year.
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