2023-03-17 / Last updated : 2023-03-17 Kevin Kato Outdoor Activities

Renting a Bicycle: A Great Way to See & Share More of Matsumoto

Downtown Matsumoto is a great place to get your Instagram on. From the grandeur of the castle backed by Mt. Jonen to the funky details of Frog Street there’s no end to the pics you can post. But if you’re looking for a great way to see and share more of Matsumoto, we highly recommend renting a bicycle and heading out of town. With e-Bikes available and a million roads to roll down, taking in the mountains and the countryside is a cinch. To make it even easier to find that perfect shot, let’s take a quick tour. Heading East Pedal this way and you’ll find yourself slowly rising toward […]

2022-10-31 / Last updated : 2022-10-31 Sylvain Sightseeing

Visit Matsumoto: Sightseeing in the heart of Nagano Prefecture – Japan

Matsumoto City is located just a few hours from Tokyo and has all the charm of a countryside town. Sightseeing in Matsumoto provides a variety of tours for you to discover within an authentic Japan off of the usual tourist beaten path. From its history, culture, cuisine and nature to its ancestral traditions, a visit to Matsumoto is an authentic getaway into the heart of Japan. Matsumoto Discovery: Castle and Historic Districts The city’s National Treasure is a true architectural and historical marvel. Matsumoto Castle is one of only five castles in Japan listed as a “National Treasure” and is worth a visit on its own! The castle attracts tourists […]

2022-05-11 / Last updated : 2022-05-11 Sylvain Sightseeing

Azumino & The Japanese Alps: A rural getaway in the heart of Japan

Located in a valley at the heart of the Japanese Alps Mountain range, Azumino offers a true escape into Japan’s natural countryside. Azumino’s history, culture and beautiful landscape make it a must-see destination when visiting Matsumoto. With its vital agricultural activity, its strong local identity and picturesque mountains, Azumino is an ideal location in which to sample the best there is! A worldwide reputation thanks to the local Wasabi Azumino is best known throughout Japan and around the world for the simple reason, it has some of the best local Wasabi. The city has a unique geographical location that allows for abundant Wasabi cultivation. What sets it apart from other […]

2022-04-04 / Last updated : 2023-06-08 Kevin Kato Nature

Take In Beautiful Kamikochi, the Jewel of the Japanese Alps

Japan is so chock full of beautiful mountains the hiking and climbing possibilities seem endless. But for a leisurely stroll through the best alpine scenery this country has to offer, go no further than the Kamikochi Valley in the Japanese Alps, right here in Matsumoto! With a series of flat, well-maintained walking paths and a multitude of picturesque natural and geological sights, a trip to Kamikochi and the Japanese Alps makes for an unforgettable day. Here is some of what you can expect. 1-Day Tour: Azumino & Kamikochi Valley See our Photo & Video Gallery Yake-dake Mountain & Taisho-ike Pond The only active volcano in the entire Northern Japanese Alps […]

2021-10-14 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Kevin Kato Seasonal Topics

Rice Harvesting in Matsumoto: The Beauty of the Season

In a landscape dominated by mountains, among forests that cover 80% of Nagano’s terrain, Matsumoto may not seem well-positioned for an abundance of agriculture. But the farming industry here is alive and well, and it is that time of year once again to enjoy the sight of rice harvesting in Matsumoto – and the beauty of the autumn season. Of course, the harvest is just the culmination. Let’s backtrack a bit… In Spring Rice-planting in Matsumoto takes place in late April to early May. Farmers flood their fields with the clean mountain snowmelt. And, now most often with specialized machinery, plant the young rice shoots they cultivate in greenhouses in […]

2020-12-30 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Mike Stiles Local Food & Drinks

Getting a “kick” out of fresh real Wasabi in Matsumoto

I visited the Daio Wasabi Farm recently. With its wide open spaces, it is a great place to walk around and take some pictures. Also a good opportunity to pick up fresh real wasabi root in Matsumoto for the kitchen! If you like wasabi, the culture and history of wasabi farming is very interesting too! The largest of its kind… in the world! The Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino is perhaps the greatest to be found anywhere! Nestled right next to Matsumoto in the foothills of Azumino Village, the farm is a charming place to visit any time of year. Founded in the early 1900s, the farm has been carefully […]