Matsumoto, located in Nagano Prefecture, sits approximately two and a half hours from Tokyo by train. This historic castle town serves as the primary gateway to the spectacular Northern Japan Alps. Visitors can easily spend a few days exploring centuries-old preserved streets, viewing world-class contemporary art, and eating local specialty foods like Shinshu wagyu and fermented miso.
Summer Journey with Mei Time: Kiso Valley Train to Matsumoto Castle
The creator documents a summer rail trip to Matsumoto starting with a train ride through the Kiso Valley. Once in the city, they visit Coffee Bigaku Abe for drinks and explore the historic Nakamachi Kurassic-kan. The walk continues through local spots including Matsumoto Folk Crafts Furniture, the Matsumoto City Scale Museum, and a shop called Thumbs Up. They stroll along Nawate Shopping Street before heading to the historic Matsumoto Castle grounds. The day ends with visits to the Former Matsumoto High School and the local bookstore and café Sioribi.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Coffee Bigaku Abe
- 💡 Best for: Café Lovers, Slow Travelers
Shinshu Wagyu Counter Dining at Teppanyaki Enju
Chef Makoto Ito serves high-end steak and seafood courses at Teppanyaki Enju in the downtown Chūō district of Matsumoto. The intimate six-seat counter restaurant offers weekend lunch options starting at 8,800 yen and multi-course dinners featuring Shinshu wagyu. Guests must book reservations up to two months in advance via TableCheck to secure a spot.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Teppanyaki Enju
- 💡 Best for: Luxury Diners, Foodies
Day Tripping from Tokyo: Matsumoto Castle & Matsumoto Jujo
The video showcases how to travel to Matsumoto from Tokyo in two and a half hours by train. The host highlights Matsumoto Castle, known as the Crow Castle, as a central historic attraction. They visit the Matsumoto Art Museum to see original works by artist Yayoi Kusama. For dining, they stop at Matsumoto Ippo to try a local specialty called Bandit Fried Chicken. The journey also features a stay at a boutique ryokan named Matsumoto Jujo.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Matsumoto Castle
- 💡 Best for: History Buffs, Art Lovers
Winter in Matsumoto: Fukashi Shrine & Nakamachi Street with Caro Pensieve
The creator documents a winter itinerary starting with a traditional Japanese breakfast buffet. They explore cultural landmarks like Fukashi Shrine and view the Yayoi Kusama exhibits at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. Next, they stop by Agatanomori Park for matcha tasting before walking through Nakamachi Street to sample local food like Oyaki and soba noodles. They walk past the frog statues on Nawate Street and tour inside the historic Matsumoto Castle. The journey concludes at the bus terminal to catch a highway bus to Takayama.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Fukashi Shrine
- 💡 Best for: First-Time Visitors, Explorers
Day Trip to Kamikochi and Café Hopping at Alps Coffee Lab
The creators use Matsumoto as a base camp for a summer day trip into the scenic Japan Alps. Before heading into the mountains, they grab drinks at Alps Coffee Lab and stop by Ebisu-jinja Shrine. They walk to local spots like Something Tender Cafe, Al Coffee & Bake, and the Arches Used Clothing Store. The vlog transitions to the nature trails of Kamikochi, showcasing Taisho-ike Pond and the famous wooden Kappa-bashi Bridge. The trip ends with a meal at Restaurant Konashidaira in the national park.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Kamikochi (Kappa-bashi Bridge)
- 💡 Best for: Nature Lovers, Café Hopping
A Quick Tour of Matsumoto Castle and Local Eats
The creator shares a quick tour of Matsumoto featuring art displays and local culinary highlights. They show visual snippets of traditional Japanese sandos and regional miso dishes. The short concludes with exterior views of the historic Matsumoto Castle.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Matsumoto Castle
- 💡 Best for: Quick Travelers, Foodies
Two Days in Matsumoto: Ishii Miso Brewery & Citizen’s Festival
Timo and Joy spend two days exploring the local culture, starting with a coffee stop at Koloro Coffee. They visit the Matsumoto City Museum of Art to view the Yayoi Kusama collection. Next, they take a tour of the Ishii Miso Brewery to learn about the fermentation process and then eat dinner at Hamburg Steak by Amiya. On the second day, they join the crowds at the Matsumoto Citizen’s Festival before strolling Nawate Street. They grab another hot beverage at Alps Coffee Lab and complete their tour at Matsumoto Castle.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Ishii Miso Brewery
- 💡 Best for: Culture Seekers, Foodies
Exploring the Black Wooden Exterior of Matsumoto Castle
Luisa Oliver showcases the iconic black wooden architecture of Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture. The short captures the defensive structure of this landmark, which is one of Japan’s original historic castles. Visitors can walk around the surrounding moat and take in the panoramic mountain backdrop.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Matsumoto Castle
- 💡 Best for: History Buffs, Photographers
Taking the Direct Bus from Hakuba to Matsumoto Castle
The official tourist association outlines a direct seasonal bus service connecting the ski area of Hakuba to Matsumoto. For a one-way fare of 1,000 yen, the bus departs Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal and arrives at Matsumoto Bus Terminal in two hours. The bus route also features stops right in front of the Matsumoto City Museum and the historic Matsumoto Castle.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Matsumoto Bus Terminal
- 💡 Best for: Skiers, Budget Travelers
Multi-City Itinerary: Stopping in Matsumoto Between Tokyo and Kyoto
Charlotte Michelle documents her travels through Japan, utilizing Matsumoto as a central stop on a multi-week route. The journey highlights the transition from the streets of Tokyo to the mountainous landscape of Nagano. She features local sightseeing spots in Matsumoto before continuing her long-distance rail trip down to Kyoto.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Various spots in Matsumoto
- 💡 Best for: First-Time Travelers, Solo Travelers
