Tour Matsumoto

Discover a real feudal era castle and the historical streets! Matsumoto is a city with deep-rooted living traditions and proud people who retain an ancestral way of life that we have to honor and respect! Get an introduction into Matsumoto’s past and present during a 3 hour half-day walking tour. Make your stay in Matsumoto the most unique and enjoyable experience possible! Your guide will help you enjoying the best of the city. Our half-day Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour is designed to reveal the living traditions of our city by following a different route to and from the castle, and in doing so, bring the history and tradition of the famous castle town to life! Take more than just a tour, discover ancient history and wisdom, have a unique and enlightening experience! Get a glimpse of all there is to explore in Matsumoto City!

Your chance to become a Samurai while visiting Matsumoto Castle! What better place to have your samurai experience than in a city with an authentic castle from the feudal era? First take a tour of Matsumoto Castle designated a “National Treasure” of Japan due to its well-preserved original structure! During the tour, you will learn about the Matsumoto Samurai lords, the history of Matsumoto City and even some of the castle's defensive strategies. Then experience a live hands-on Samurai Sword Fighting activity! A Master Samurai will teach you some of these ancient fighting techniques. You can choose your own colors for your outfit which consists of a yukata (light kimono), hakama (wide-leg pants), and obi (belt). You can even select your swords! The stage and the atmosphere of the place is bound to take you on a realistic journey back in time. The perfect setting for a complete immersion into this slice of Japanese history!

The venue is an old private house in a wonderful location in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, with Matsumoto Castle in front of it. No matter what time of year you visit, you can experience the Japanese art of calligraphy while viewing the beautiful Japanese garden. A master calligrapher will carefully teach you how to use the tools and manners, so that even beginners can enjoy writing. You can write your favorite characters on colored paper to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind work of art. It is a great way to display them at home as a memento of your trip or as a souvenir.

Explore the city and its surroundings on this off-the-beaten-path bike tour! Far from the Japanese metropolises, enjoy a deep breath of fresh air and the magnificent landscapes of Matsumoto City. Ride an electric bicycle with your guide through the countryside of Matsumoto and discover the main historical sites of the city while enjoying a country ride through the vast fields surrounding the city. The ideal experience for all cycling enthusiasts! Matsumoto is centered in the Japanese countryside and is the ideal place to get on a bicycle for an exploration of the city and its surroundings! Beyond the city built around its historic castle, Matsumoto offers all kinds of magnificent rides. Explore the city's historic sites, take a deep breath of fresh air, as you cycle around the city, past rice fields and admire the beautiful and traditional Japanese farmhouses. You will not fail to marvel at the beauty of the landscapes, with the vast and spectacular Japanese Alps as a backdrop.

Defined by its mountains and natural landscapes, Central Japan is the literal heartland of this beautiful country and a road less travelled by many international visitors. This engaging one-day tour takes you to Matsumoto Castle – one of the few remaining original castles in Japan and a registered National Treasure – before heading high into the grandeur of the North Alps and onto the protected alpine oasis of Kamikochi. Led by a locally-based guide and including lunch and direct transport to and from Kamikochi, this tour captures the essence of Central Japan by combining two of its most iconic destinations.

Embark on a captivating day of exploration through the enchanting city of Matsumoto, Japan! From the grandeur of Matsumoto Castle to the tranquility of Matsumoto-jinja Shrine, immerse yourself in history, culture, and natural beauty. End your adventure with a panoramic view from Matsumoto City Hall and some quirky fun at Nawate Shopping Street. Unleash your inner explorer and discover the heart of Matsumoto on this foot-powered escapade! Solve puzzles, explore the city, and find hidden gems at your own pace. Try a new type of experience with your smartphone, the perfect mix between a walking tour, sightseeing, and a scavenger hunt.

100% hands-on from start to finish, experience a uniquely authentic Japanese Cuisine for yourself! Matsumoto is famous for the quality of its Soba (buckwheat flour noodles) and its historic feudal castle! First take a tour of Matsumoto Castle designated a “National Treasure” of Japan due to its well-preserved original structure. Then sample this traditional Japanese dish and even have a go at preparing it yourself! The soba-making workshop is an opportunity to get more than just the literal bite of this tradition. Step into the shoes of an apprentice and learn from an experienced soba master! Discover all the basics and learn how to use authentic soba-making tools. The activity is divided into two stages and it’s completely hands-on from start to finish. The best part is you get to eat your own noodles at the end! This is an exciting and enriching experience you can share with family and friends, and an unforgettable way to discover a unique aspect of Japanese cuisine!

Embark on a captivating journey through Nagano, where history, culture, and culinary delights converge. After meeting your guide at Matsumoto Station, step into the past at Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure dating back to the 16th century. Ascend its wooden halls, absorb the ambiance of tatami mat floors, and relish panoramic views from the castle keep, unraveling the tales of feudal Japan. Continue with a sake-tasting odyssey at a historic brewery run by seasoned owners. Immerse yourself in the nuances of local sake flavors. Savor 2 street foods (e.g. sweet rice dumplings, taiyaki, oyaki) on the the lively Nawate Street affectionately known as Frog Street. Delve into history at Nakamachi Shopping Street, an Edo-period avenue adorned with well-preserved merchant houses. Explore quaint shops and cafes, absorbing the echoes of Matsumoto's past. Reflect on a day filled with Matsumoto's medieval grandeur and modernity as the tour concludes at Matsumoto Station.

Enjoy sake-tasting odyssey at a historic brewery run by very friendly owners. Immerse yourself in the nuances of local sake flavors, gaining insights into the meticulous brewing techniques that define Nagano's rich sake culture. Taste Japanese pickles made by the owners and you will be served nice hot green tea after Sake tasting. There is a fresh well water, which is used to make the Sake here just in front of the Sake brewery. You can draw up fresh water from the well and enojy it later in you hotel. Visit the lively Nawate Street, affectionately known as Frog Street to enjoy local street. After Nawate street, delve into history at Nakamachi Shopping Street, an Edo-period avenue adorned with well-preserved merchant houses. Explore quaint shops and cafes, absorbing the echoes of Matsumoto's past. Reflect on a day filled with Matsumoto's medieval grandeur and modernity as the tour concludes at Matsumoto Station and aslo you can explore more about Matsumoto city after this tour.

Kamikochi is a popular resort in the Northern Japan Alps, offering some of Japan's most spectacular mountain scenery. With one of the most famous hiking paths in all Japan, we set foot there on our quest for traditional Japan. Kamikochi hiking course along the Azusa River is well maintained and almost flat. This value-packed trail day hike with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Japan Alps! It is about 3.5 kilometres (2 miles) long and has only gentle elevation changes which takes around 2-4 hours to easy walk at a leisurely pace. This private tour is a hiking day tour. Please wear hiking boots and gear for this tour. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs.

Holiday, a Japanese information service used by approximately 4 million people per month, offers a photography program that guides visitors to some of Japan's most popular and special Matsumoto(Nagano) destinations. The program is staffed by highly qualified photographers who can work with your travel schedule to capture natural compositions and identify photo spots. (Please send us your preferred location in the chat!) Correction work is done by the vintage atmosphere of analog sensibilities, and mood and color can be adjusted if desired. Because this experience is private, you will be photographed at your own pace. Enjoy the atmosphere as if you were with a friend, and enjoy the conversation while you shoot! We can arrange a photographer who lives in Matsumoto, so we can introduce you to local areas you may not know. Let us capture your happy time in Matsumoto in photos.

Guests on this exciting 1 day tour of Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku will have the chance to get hands-on with Japan's fascinating history by personally entering the renowned Matsumoto Castle and strolling the streets of the quaint Narai-juku. There will also be opportunities to walk the downtown area of Matsumoto city and window shop or taste some of its delicious local specialties. With all transport included in the tour, you will not have to worry about anything more than which souvenirs to buy for your family and friends. This tour also includes a seasonal activity at Narai-juku, to allow you to get even closer to the fascinating culture of this region of Japan which often feels as though it has been pulled out of a different era.

Home to some of Japan’s highest mountains and most stunning alpine vistas, Central Japan is a region which will impress the traveler with the breadth of activities it has to offer. From historical sites, to unique culture, to world-class nature, there is something for everyone. On this private tour, guests will be able to visit the over 400 year old Matsumoto Castle, followed by a trip high into the Japanese Alps to enjoy a hike in the fresh mountain air of Kamikochi, a secluded valley that is considered the gem of the Chubu-Sangaku National Park. Guests on this tour are free to mix and match their starting and end points from the following locations: Nagano City or Matsumoto City. For example, you may start at Nagano City and end in Matsumoto City, or start in Matsumoto City and end in Nagano City, or start and end in the same city. For this reason, this tour is ideal for customers looking to travel through Central Japan while visiting its key sites.

Prepare to experience Old Japan on foot with this exciting hike through traditional post towns, ancient forests, and dramatic mountain passes. Starting in Tsumago-juku post town, your guide will explain a bit about what kinds of people traveled the roads in Old Japan, where they were going, and how they lived. You will get a chance to enter some buildings including an old Inn and a horse-stable that perfectly illustrate what your guide has mentioned. Leaving Tsumago-juku post town, you will start out on an 8km trek to the next post town, passing by roaring waterfalls and quiet hamlets along the way. Keep an eye open for wildlife and wildflowers while you are led by your guide along what was once one of the main avenues of travel in Japan. Arriving at Magome-juku post town, you will be treated to far off views of fields and mountains as you descend to the bottom of this very vertical village. After having a little time for shopping, you will board the tour vehicle and head back.

Begin your morning in Kamikochi, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear rivers, and untouched marshlands. Arriving early, you’ll experience the valley at its calmest—before the crowds, with crisp mountain air and quiet trails that invite deep reflection. Take a 2.5 to 3-hour loop walk from Kappa Bridge to Taisho Pond, returning via Tashiro Bridge. Forest and riverside paths bring you close to nature, while your guide shares insights that deepen the journey. Enjoy lunch at your own pace—on a bench or by the river. We recommend bringing something simple, as cafés near Kappa Bridge can be crowded. In the afternoon, visit Matsumoto Castle—Japan’s oldest original wooden fortress. Skip the line with pre-booked entry and explore freely. Van transport from Matsumoto Station makes the day smooth and easy. Thoughtfully designed for small groups, this unhurried tour blends mountain stillness with cultural depth—perfect for travelers who value calm, beauty, and meaningful discovery.

This private and customizable tour for Matsumoto city (in Nagano Prefecture) is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

Experience an unforgettable journey from Tokyo to Nagano with our Matsumoto Kamikochi Alpine Private Tour. Discover the wonders of Japan's Alpine beauty as you explore breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Why Choose Us? Customizable Itineraries: Tailor your tour to fit your interests. Expert Guides: Our knowledgeable guides bring history to life. We pick you up from your location in Tokyo. Comfort and Style: Travel in private, comfortable transportation. Flexible Timing: Enjoy a full day of exploration at your own pace. Highlights: Matsumoto Castle: Discover this iconic symbol of feudal Japan's architectural prowess. Kamikochi Alpine: Lose yourself in the serene beauty of towering peaks, crystal-clear rivers, and lush forests. Note: Kamikochi is closed from mid-November to mid-April. During this period, we can take you to explore the charming historic town of Narai Juku instead. Join us to see stunning beauty of Japan's Alpine region. Book your tour today!

Discover the True Character of Matsumoto on a Personalized Tour! From our famous castle, to our historic shopping streets and enticing food and art scene, Matsumoto is best experienced on a private tour customized to suit your needs and interests! Let us share our knowledge and passion for Matsumoto by crafting a private tour that matches your interests and travel itinerary. More than just a guided experience, we design private tours to reveal both the history and contemporary character of Matsumoto – in a way only a local can do! We will create an itinerary based on your interests, our recommendations or a combination of both. Accompanied by a locally-based, English-speaking guide you will then explore the city with your guide enhancing all aspects of your visit through their knowledge of Matsumoto and in any way that is of assistance. The provided tour details is our recommended itinerary.

Situated between the popular destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto, the mountainous of region of Nagano is the literal heart of Japan and a road less travelled by many international visitors. This tour combines some of the region’s most iconic destinations – including the world-famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, the 1400-year old Zenko-ji Temple, Matsumoto Castle, and the historic old town of Takayama – with the unforgettable experience of being driven through Japan’s Northern Alps, a place of high mountain peaks and rarefied beauty. With English-speaking guide, lunch, and full-service accommodation on Day 1 followed by hotel pick-up and transport to Matsumoto and Takayama, including hotel drop-off, on Day 2, this tour captures the history and beauty of central Japan with the convenience and comfort of one easy package.

On this full day private tour, visit the city of Matsumoto with your tour guide. Enjoy the historical Matsumoto Castle, the unique streets of Nawate and Nakamachi and see Daio Wasasbi Farm, the largest wasabi farm in Japan in the tranquil Hotaka Town.