Matsumoto Castle Week runs from November 3rd-10th 2025. The Citizens festival will be held during this week, on November 3rd 2025. There will be many events held in the downtown core and castle grounds. Admission is free. Matsumoto Castle Week Held every year in November, Matsumoto Castle Week celebrates the iconic castle that sits in the heart of Matsumoto City. This year marks 70 years since the major restoration which was completed in 1955. There are many events scheduled throughout the week including a Chyrsanthemum display running from October 28-November 12 from 8:30Am-5pm daily. The main events coincide with the Citizen’s Festival on November 3rd. But the most significant event […]
When traveling in Japan, it’s important to note that many places still do not accept credit cards, despite the growing use of card and smartphone payments. If you plan to shop at local markets or small stores, having enough cash on hand is essential. In downtown Matsumoto, to avoid inconvenience, be sure to exchange currency or withdraw cash from an ATM in advance. Currency Exchange Location in Downtown Matsumoto If you’re arriving in Matsumoto with your home currency and need to exchange it, there are a few convenient options available in the city: Matsumoto Kaitori-ya (買取屋) Located just in front of Matsumoto Station, near McDonald’s. This shop provides currency exchange […]
In Nagano’s quiet temple district, a massive wooden gate marks the entrance to something extraordinary. Zenkoji Temple has been welcoming visitors for over 1,300 years, making it older than most European cathedrals and one of Japan’s most enduring pilgrimage sites. What sets it apart isn’t just its age, it’s the radical idea that still guides it today: everyone belongs here. Discover the history of Zenkoji Temple from the Meiji Era to the present. Following up on the first article, Zenkoji’s story didn’t end with the Edo period. The temple has navigated government pressure, war, and rapid modernization while maintaining its role as Japan’s most welcoming pilgrimage destination. Surviving Government Reform […]
In Nagano’s quiet temple district, a massive wooden gate marks the entrance to something extraordinary. Zenkoji Temple has been welcoming visitors for over 1,300 years, making it older than most European cathedrals and one of Japan’s most enduring pilgrimage sites. What sets it apart isn’t just its age, it’s the radical idea that still guides it today: everyone belongs here. Discover the origin and history of the sacred Zenkoji Temple. Most Japanese temples belong to specific Buddhist sects, often restricting access based on gender, social class, or religious affiliation. Zenkoji broke that mold from the beginning. The temple established an open-door policy that drew pilgrims from across the country. To […]
Kamikochi National Park draws visitors to some of Japan’s most pristine mountain scenery. Visiting the national park requires a two-part journey from Matsumoto. First by train to Shin-Shimashima Station, then by bus into the protected mountain valley. While most travelers treat Shin-Shimashima as just a transfer point, this small mountain station offers a few pleasant diversions worth exploring before you continue to Kamikochi. The Route to Kamikochi The journey begins at Matsumoto Station, where the Kamikochi Line departs from inside the main station complex. Though not part of the JR network, the line is clearly marked and ticket machines are easy to locate once you’re inside the station. The scenic […]
Tucked away in the scenic Kiso Valley, about an hour’s train ride from Matsumoto, Narai-juku is one of the best-preserved post towns along the historic Nakasendo, the Edo-period highway that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Known as the “Narai of a Thousand Houses,” it was the wealthiest and longest of the eleven post towns in the region. Today, it offers a striking window into the past. Tradition and history are still etched into every wooden beam and street of the village. A Living Historic Post Town What sets Narai-juku apart is that it isn’t just preserved, it’s alive. People still live and work here, maintaining wooden homes and […]
