Matsumoto Castle will observe its annual 2024-2025 winter closure during the New Year holidays. However, nearby attractions, including the Nakamachi and Nawate districts, will remain open, offering visitors a chance to experience the festive atmosphere, explore local crafts, and enjoy seasonal treats. Below are the details of the castle’s closure dates and updated opening hours for popular attractions in Matsumoto. Matsumoto Castle Matsumoto Castle, often called the “Crow Castle” for its striking black exterior, is one of Japan’s oldest and most beautiful original castles. Built in the late 16th century, it is a prime example of a flatland castle, strategically constructed on plains rather than hills. Renowned for its elegant […]
Japanese soba noodles are made primarily from buckwheat flour with a small amount of wheat flour. Widely considered a healthy food, they are gluten-free, rich in flavonoids, and help maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Additionally, the long, slender shape of soba noodles is believed to symbolize stability and longevity. With its abundant natural resources and pure, crystal-clear water essential for soba cultivation, Nagano Prefecture is home to the Matsumoto “Shinshu Soba” Festival. Matsumoto and surrounding area are one of the largest and most well-known soba-producing regions in Japan. The Soba Festival at Matsumoto Castle The “Shinshu Soba” Festival in Nagano Prefecture is held annually in Matsumoto City every October. The […]
The Taimatsu Matsuri Torches Festival, also known as the “Asama Onsen Taimatsu Matsuri”, is a traditional fire festival with a rich history held annually in Matsumoto. This unique event features large torches, or “taimatsu,” and celebrates the local cultural heritage while also serving as a time of prayer for protection against natural disasters. History The Torches Festival has deep roots in ancient traditions. Historically, the burning of large torches was used as a ritual to cleanse the land and ward off evil spirits. It is said that the event was inspired by practices of mountain worship, which were common in the Japanese Alps. In Shinto beliefs, fire is considered a […]
When travelling to Matsumoto you will almost certainly be carrying luggage with you and may, for the sake of convenience, want to store it for a period of time. The easiest place to do so is at Matsumoto Station, where you will find five locations with lockers of varying size. Matsumoto Station is small and easy to navigate with all luggage storage lockers within a short distance of the ticket gates on the second floor of the station. JR East Matsumoto Station Map Arrival & Departure Area of Matsumoto Station / 2nd Floor When arriving in Matsumoto by train and passing through the ticket gates, you will find yourself on […]
Everyone knows that summer in Japan is hot. Very hot. Sitting in a valley between two mountain ranges, Matsumoto is certainly not spared the summer heat with the daytime temperature sometimes rising over 40°C or 104°F and above. Thankfully, evenings typically bring a refreshing breeze and the city is surrounded by a beautiful landscape blessed with pristine rivers and waterways, should you wish to take a dip. Alternatively, you can do as the Japanese do and escape the heat by going to the local Sawamura Public Pool. Matsumoto City Sawamura Pool Located to the north of Matsumoto Station, around 25-minutes walk from Matsumoto Castle, Sawamura Public Pool is open daily […]
All across Japan summer festivals abound. Matsumoto is no exception as thousands of people take to the streets of downtown in early August for the loud and lively Matsumoto Bon-Bon. This festival got its start almost fifty years ago – and is no match for the original Bon Bon, a unique Matsumoto tradition born centuries ago. Coupled with the Aoyama-sama, a ceremonial procession of young boys carrying a miniature shrine through the streets of their neighborhood, the Bon Bon, an elegant and understated festival for young girls, offers a glimpse into a centuries-old Matsumoto tradition. History During the Edo Era, when the Shogun still ruled the country with military might, […]
