Matsumoto, in the centre of Nagano Prefecture, is the usual next stop for travellers heading from the snow monkeys towards Kamikochi, the Kiso Valley or Takayama. It is a relaxed city of clear spring water, craft shops and mountain views, with the Northern Alps as a backdrop.
Matsumoto Castle is the draw. Its main keep, dating from the late 16th century, is one of only a handful of original castle keeps in Japan to be designated a National Treasure, and it is among the oldest. The black lacquered walls give it the nickname “Crow Castle”.
Top things to do: Matsumoto
Climb the castle keep
Inside, steep wooden stairs — nearly ladders — climb six floors past gun and arrow loops to a view over the city and the Alps. Queues are long in holiday periods, so go at opening time.
Walk Nakamachi and Nawate
Nakamachi street is lined with black-and-white kura storehouses, now cafés and craft shops; across the river, Nawate is a row of small stalls with a frog theme.
See Yayoi Kusama at the art museum
The Matsumoto City Museum of Art has a permanent display of work by Yayoi Kusama, who was born in the city.
How to get there
- From Nagano: about 50 minutes by JR limited express on the Shinonoi Line, a little over an hour by local train.
- From Yudanaka: return to Nagano on the Nagaden line and change; allow about 2.5 hours.
- By tour: a guided day trip from Nagano combines the castle with the old post town of Narai-juku.
Insider tips
- The castle is a 15–20 minute walk from Matsumoto Station.
- You climb the keep in socks; the floors are cold in winter.
- Matsumoto works well as an overnight stop between Yamanouchi and Takayama or Tokyo.
Best tours & tickets: Matsumoto
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Matsumoto and the rest of the Yamanouchi area:
Guided day trip from US$177 Nagano / Matsumoto: Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku Day Trip
The natural next day after the monkeys if you are heading south: one of Japan’s finest original castles, then the long wooden main street of Narai-juku on the old Nakasendo highway.
- Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure
- The preserved post town of Narai-juku
- Start from Nagano or Matsumoto
Guided day trip from US$138 Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Day Trip
The best-reviewed snow monkey tour on GetYourGuide by a wide margin. A local guide meets you at Nagano Station, shows you round Zenko-ji, then takes you out to Yamanouchi for lunch, a sake tasting and an unhurried afternoon with the monkeys — transport and park admission are handled for you.
- Zenko-ji Temple with a guide in the morning
- Lunch and a sake tasting included
- The forest walk to the Jigokudani monkey pool
