Matsumoto - Our 1 Day Itinerary.

Matsumoto was the perfect pit stop for us between Takayama and Tokyo. See below our one itinerary for visiting Matsumoto, with the key spots to visit to help you make the most of your time.

1. Matsumoto Castle.

The castle was at the top of our list to see, the entry fee was 700 yen per adult, which gave you access to the gardens and the castle. The castle dates back to the 16th Century and we found the castle very interesting in comparison to the castles we’re used to in UK, it had several display cases of memorabilia, such as weaponry that was used within the castle. What was intriguing was the structure, as you walk around the castle you can observe the foundations and the built in defences to provide protection to the castle.

The castle did have very steep steps at points, which may be difficult for some to access. Each floor had an attendant to ensure there weren’t too many people navigating through at any point.

Whilst you can only access the internals during the day, it’s worth returning to the castle grounds on an evening to see the castle illuminated. There is plenty of seating around the perimeter of the castles moat to sit down on.

View of Matsumoto City from Matsumoto Castle.

2. Nawate Shopping Street.

Heading south from Matsumoto Castle next to the river is the Nawate-dori, which is a street lined with a mixture of old fashioned shops, restaurants and frog statues! If you’re looking for some souvenirs there’s plenty of trinkets, but aim to go early as they close early in the afternoon.

3. Yohashira-jinja Shrine.

Just next door to Nawate-dori is the Yohashira-jinja Shrine, which was built in the Meiji era to honour the four Shinto Gods. The shrine is free to enter and nearby are two other shrines just steps away.

If your hungry the Matsumoto region is known for it’s soba noodles, and just next door to the shrine is a popular soba noodle restaurant. We recommend checking it out!

4. Matsumoto Timepiece Museum.

If the weathers not in your favour or you just like to get as much done within your day then just over the river is the Timepiece Museum. It’s worth going to just take a look at the museum from the outside if you don't have time to go in, as the facade is a large pendulum clock - which is said to be the largest in Japan!

The museum is full of a mirage of different clocks and watches, most have an english description. There is a small entry fee but if clocks are of interest, it’s worth taking a look around.

5. Nakamachi District.

The Nakamachi district is a perfect destination for dinner and drinks, its known for its traditional architecture and lively atmosphere. The area itself is historic, and you’ll find plenty of restaurants for dinner. We opted for some tasty ramen!

And if you have more time…

6. The Matsumoto City Museum of Art.

The museum is located to the east of Matsumoto and is just a short walk from the centre. It houses collections of modern and contemporary art.

Currently, the museum holds long term special exhibitions by Yahoo Kusama, who was born in Matsumoto City (the exhibition is being held until March 2024), however no photos are allowed to be taken of this particular exhibition.

7. Agata-no-Mori Park.

Further east of the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, you can find the Agata-no-Mori Park. It’s a particularly vast park which has a central pond with well maintained pathways in and around the park.

If you’re not spending your sunset at Matsumoto Castle, then the Agata-no-Mori Park is a great alternative for a calm relaxing evening.

Further out from Matsumoto…

8. Daio Wasabi Farm.

The Daio Wasabi Farm is one of Japan’s largest wasabi farms, and it is a short drive out of Matsumoto. The farm itself is free to wander around, with the main facilities located near to the main entrance.

We recommend visiting if you have another day in and around Matsumoto as this takes up a couple of hours!