Most famous for its magnificent Matsumoto Castle and City Museum of Art, Matsumoto is an easy day trip from Nagano but very much a destination in its own right.
Set against a stunning mountain backdrop with lush landscapes, Matsumoto is a marvellous mix of old and new Japan, from the traditional Nakamachi Street and Nawate Dori to modern malls like Media Garden.
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There are so many fun things to do in Matsumoto, from finding all the frogs (they are sacred in Matsumoto) to brews with views at Matsumoto Brewery.
The wonderful Winter Illuminations in Matsumoto also have to be seen to be believed (one of the most amazing things we’ve witnessed in Japan).
The hometown of Yayoi Kusama and her dotted artworks (see if you can ‘spot’ them), here are the best things to do in Matsumoto in Japan.
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Japan checklist
We love using booking.com and agoda.com for researching and booking all our hotels, and Hostelworld for booking hostels.
For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.
How to get to Matsumoto
If you are visiting Matsumoto from Nagano, then you can take a direct Shinano Limited Express train (50 minutes) or a Shinonoi Line local train (1.5 hours) to Matsumoto station.
If you are travelling from Nagoya, then you can take a direct Shinano Limited Express (2 hours 10 minutes) to Matsumoto station.
From Tokyo Shinjuku station you can take a JR Azusa limited express train (2 hours 30 minutes) to Matsumoto station.
There is also a highway bus that departs every hour and takes 3 hours to travel from Tokyo Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Matsumoto Bus Terminal.
Getting around Matsumoto
To get around Matsumoto, there are ‘Town Sneaker’ buses, including a spotty one designed by Yayoi Kusama.
The Town Sneaker buses loop around to and from Matsumoto Station with four different routes (north, east, south and west) on 20 to 30 minute intervals. Fares cost 200 Yen one way or 500 Yen for a day pass in Matsumoto.
If you’d rather do a private tour from Nagano to Matsumoto, check out these tours:
- 1-day tour Matsumoto Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle from Nagano >
- Matsumoto Castle, sake and food walking tour from Nagano >
- Kamikochi hiking tour from Nagoya >
- Or you can even get around Matsumoto by private electric bike tour >
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Matsumoto Accommodation
Budget ($)
Hotel M Matsumoto
Budget hotel with both capsule units and private rooms, plus a public bath. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range – Expensive ($$)
Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring
Popular hotel with natural hot springs on the 10th floor and mountain views. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range – Expensive ($$)
Hotel Buena Vista
Modern hotel with 4 on-site restaurants, bakery and beauty salon. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Check out the best hotels in Matsumoto via Booking.com and Agoda.com
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Things to do in Matsumoto
1. Matsumoto Castle
Perhaps the best thing to do in Matsumoto (and certainly the most famous), Matsumoto Castle is one of the five Japanese castles designated as National Treasures.
It is the oldest five tier castle in Japan, dating back to 1504 with the main ‘keep’ and fortifications built in 1593.
The first and second enclosures plus the moats at Matsumoto Castle have been listed as designated historic sites. All we know is that it is stunning to look at, especially with all the mountains in the background and amazing reflections on the moat (and the sublime swimming swans).
Even though Matsumoto Castle never saw any actual battles, over the years, much of the original castle sadly fell into disrepair, but it was restored in recent years and is now the city’s most famous and iconic landmark (it is on all the souvenirs like magnets and postcards).
We were lucky enough to visit Matsumoto Castle during the annual Matsumoto Winter Illuminations (which are incredible), held every year from mid December to mid February – more on this later.
Check out this Matsumoto Castle tour and samurai experience >
Read more in our guide to Matsumoto Castle >
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2. Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Also referred to as the Yayoi Kusuama museum, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art is easy to ‘spot’ – literally as Yayoi’s famous artwork can be see all over the museum, even down to the playground and vending machines outside – it certainly creates spots before the eyes!
Some of Yayoi Kusuama’s earliest works are on permanent display at Matsumoto City Museum of Art.
Her largest piece in the world, the huge sculpture “The Visionary Flowers” sits on display in front of the museum and can be visited for free. The famous 2.5 metre yellow pumpkin with black dots is also one of the signature pieces at the museum.
Admission to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art permanent collection costs 410 Yen per adult as of summer 2024. Special exhibitions are charged separately. Please note the museum is closed on Mondays.
Try this – the best Matsumoto tours and trips with Viator and Get Your Guide
3. Nawate Street AKA Matsumoto’s Frog Street
Hop to it! Simply beautiful, Matsumoto’s famous frog street is called Nawate Street. Yes, there really is a frog street in Matsumoto – no croak!
Full of old fashioned stores and nostalgic souvenir shops, a walk along Nawate Street is like taking a step back in time – this pedestrianised shopping street also has lots of frog motifs along the way including a HUGE frog statue.
At the end of Nawate Street, you’ll find Yohashire Shrine (more on this in a moment), where a frog God is enshrined – the whole area is a fine froggy foray and known as a sacred place for frogs.
Nawate Dori used to be a small strip of land that ran between the Metoba River and Matsumoto Castle moat and means ‘rope’ (nawa) and ‘riverbank’ (dote).
Nawate Street is one of the nicest areas to explore in Matsumoto, whether you are a frog fan or not – many local souvenirs and snacks can be bought along here and it is very photogenic.
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Plus our guide to the best kawaii things to do in Tokyo >
4. Matsumoto Shinmai Media Garden
Matsumoto’s newest shopping mall in the downtown area, Shinmai Media Garden is a mixed use mall with a few shops and restaurants. It also doubles as the headquarters of the local newspaper.
Shinmai Media has a nice roof terrace looking out over the town, plus houses some big brands like The North Face.
If you are a craft beer fan, Matsumoto Brewery also has a nice tap room here or if coffee is your thing, check out Maruyama Coffee.
Shinmai Media Garden is open daily from 8am to 10pm – individual store opening hours may vary.
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5. Matsumoto brewing / taproom
Kanpai to the Matsumoto Brewing, a western style brewery and craft beer bar.
There are two locations in Matsumoto, including a cute taproom near Nakamachi Street plus a modern brewery bar in Media Garden shopping center (Matsumoto Brewery Tap Room Honmachi).
With a core range of several beers (including Matsumoto Castle Stout and traditional Scotch Ale) be sure to stop by for a beer (or three) at Matsumoto Brewery.
Alas, don’t try to pop by for a pint on a Tuesday as Matsumoto Brewery Tap Room Nakamachi is closed (which is what we did – doh)!
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6. Metoba river walk
Matsumoto is picturesque any time of year, with its stunning landscapes and mountain views – one of the best places to get close with nature and see incredible vistas is the walking path along Metoba River.
There are several little wooden bridges along the way intersecting the river plus you might see the occasional heron or a famous Matsumoto frog.
Try this – Half day private tour of Matsumoto >
7. Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
Matsumoto’s Japan Ukiyo-e Museum has the world’s largest collection of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which were collected over two centuries by Matsumoto’s wealthy aristocratic families.
Over 100,000 prints make up the collection and after visiting, you might feel a true ‘wave’ of emotion and inspiration come over you.
Please note the museum is closed on Mondays and is kind of hidden away beside the Matsumoto Court and Historical Village (Rekishinosato).
P.S. Ever seen the incredible artwork of the Japanese wave that has been used on countless postcards, prints and clothing design? This is the iconic artwork ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’, a woodblock print from the 1830s and you can see the original at Sumida Hokusai Museum in Ryogoku, Tokyo.
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8. Nakamachi Street
Matsumoto’s other famous street (after Nawate Dori). Whilst this road might not have any cartoon frogs, it does have lots of traditional kura houses (black and white homes characterised by their criss-cross patterned walls) plus many delicious local restaurants (some selling the celebrated local dish, Toji Soba).
Along Nakamachi Street, you’ll find numerous artisan and craft stores, selling traditional souvenirs and unique gifts plus some cool cafes, sake bars and izakaya style pubs.
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9. Yohashira-jinja (Shrine)
Located on the river’s edge at the end of Nawate-dori, Yohashira shrine is one of Matsumoto’s most beautiful and tranquil temples and was built in the 1870s during the Meiji Period.
One of the main places to celebrate New Year in Japan and religious festivals, Yohashira-jinja has a huge temple gate and wooden main hall that is dedicated to four Shinto deities – the name literally translates as ‘four main pillars’.
A usually peaceful place, the temple hustles and bustles during the Yohashira Shrine Shinto Festival held every year in early October.
Matsumoto’s traditional colorful floats are paraded through the city and put on display here, with lots of food and drink stalls set up around the temple and along Nawate Street.
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10. Drink spring water / hot springs
Much of the mineral water in Japan comes from Matsumoto – so drink it from the source for free! Many of the temples and shrines in Matsumoto have springs / wells where you can drink crystal clear, clean water.
Cold pristine water trickles down into Matsumoto from the surrounding hills and mountains and come up via the various wells – locals swear it helps keep them young and rejuvenated.
Alternatively, visit Matusmoto’s many hot springs and soak in the finest warm water – there are around 16 hot springs throughout Matsumoto city; bliss!
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11. Try Toji Soba
The local cuisine and noodle dish of Matsumoto and the Azusa River, Toji Soba are tasty buckwheat noodles served in many local top restaurants and cute eateries.
The best way to eat your toji soba noodles is to place them in a wicker basket, and drop them quickly into mushrooms and other local veg before slurping them down – delicious; definitely one of the best Japanese foods to try.
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12. Don Quijote Minami-Matsumoto
Don Quijote Japan discount department stores are home to thousands of items generally at low prices, from Pocky to fake food, Hello Kitty to Kit Kats (plus more interesting ‘adult sections’ featuring TENGA).
There is one main branch of Don Quijote in Matsumoto – take the local Shinonoi / Nakatsugawa line from Matsumoto Station to Minami-Matsumoto Station then walk for 10 minutes.
This particular Don Quijote is open from 8am to 4am daily (although others are open 24 hours).
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Do you love all things Don Quijote and Don Don Donki? Join our Donki Fans Facebook group >
13. Matsumoto Winter Lights
If you happen to be in Matsumoto or nearby Nagano for the skiing season, make sure you check out the Matsumoto Winter Lights festival, held every year from mid December to mid February.
Since 2021, Matsumoto Castle has been illuminated in winter with incredible light shows, projection mapping all synchronized to music. We visited in 2023 and it was one of the most spectacular sights we ever encountered in Japan.
All around the city, there are also other festive light displays plus lots of local food and drink stalls pop up around Matsumoto Castle.
Check out the latest news and dates of the Winter Illuminations here >
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Our final thing to do in Matsumoto, Japan
14. Matsumoto Other Museums
We’ve already mentioned the famous Matsumoto City Museum of Art and the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum but if you are a culture vulture, check out these weird and wonderful local museums.
Matsumoto Scale Museum
Located along Nakamachi Street, the Matsumoto Scale Museum is usually quite quiet so you don’t have to ‘weight’ long to get in – this quirky museum is packed full of scales of all sizes plus is only 200 Yen admission fee.
Matsumoto Timepiece Museum
‘Time’ for one last thing to do in Matsumoto – fittingly the Matsumoto Timepiece Museum!
With over 300 classic clocks, wonderful watches and top time-keeping pieces on display, you have no excuse to arrive late! Admission costs 300 Yen to this colorful clock museum.
Please note most museums in Matsumoto are closed on Monday.
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