A trip to Matsumoto is a voyage straight into the heart of Japan. A small but storied castle town at the feet of the Northern Alps with a lot of things to do, Matsumoto breathes with a life borne of the land and the history that has unfolded here over countless seasons.
Visit Matsumoto
Blessed with rich farmland and surrounded by mountains, Matsumoto is as much a story as it is a destination. Centuries-old custom and wood-frame tradition live on among the modern buzz of downtown, offering glimpses of the city’s past – a time of castle lords and samurai, of merchants laden with straw baskets and pilgrims walking in straw sandals.
Of course, those sword-wielding samurai are long gone. But the proud heritage of their time lives on in a community of friendly, welcoming people eager to share with you the treasures of the mountains, the countryside, the rivers and the side streets that lead you right into the very soul of the city. Make an escape from the crush of the city and head for higher, wider, richer ground. Check the things to do here!