Top Things to do in Matsumoto
Top Restaurants in Matsumoto
10 Sights & Landmarks in Matsumoto That You Shouldn't Miss
The proud black “crow castle” of Matsumoto keeps watch over a city that’s rapidly developing into an epicenter of food and culture. Slurp noodles made from local soba or taunt your taste buds with product from the Daio Wasabi Farm. Take a soothing soak in a local hot spring or spend a few minutes in the Timepiece Museum. Classical music fans should consider a visit during the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto, founded by famed conductor Seiji Ozawa.
Restaurants in Matsumoto
1. Tashiro Shitsugen
2. Matsumoto Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,584 reviews
Reviewed By phale12017
When l was told we were visiting a a castle, grey blocks of stone came to mind( l clearly wasn’t thinking logically) I was amazed to see this massive, towering wooden structure before me! Yes Japanese castles are made from wood. They have moats and tiny narrow windows for firing weapons out of and other familiar features but l have to say they are quite different from the English versions. They have a hidden extra floor that you cannot see from outside, this is just one unfamiliar feature! We were put into groups of 5 or less and shown round by retirees who were practicing their English, what a wonderful idea! Our guide was very amusing!! A word of warning, there are lots of steps inside, some of them steep! But make the effort, it’s well worth it!!
3. Kappa Bashi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 516 reviews
Reviewed By ChloeTay - Singapore, Singapore
We were blessed to have a good weather when we visited Kamikochi. It was forecasted to rain heavily that day. The view is magnificent, water is so clear and clean and we enjoyed the 10km walk that day. It is a must to visit if you are travelling in that region, it can be evidence from the photos I took. We stayed overnight in Hirayu Onsen and took a bus (only 30 mins) to Kamikochi. No need to reserve, just buy the ticket on same day.
4. Koboyama Ancient Tomb
5. Gofuku-ji Temple
6. Nagano Gokoku Shrine
7. Kaichi Gakko Primary School
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 341 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
The Former Kaichi School was founded in 1873, Construction was completed in 1876 and it served as a functional school for 90-years until 1963. Having been designated an important cultural asset in 1961, the wooden building was painstakingly dismantled and moved from its' original location in 1963/1964 and rebuilt in its current location. When I learnt that the building had been reconstructed, my first thought was that perhaps the building had been "over-embellished" in the process of restoration, but having seen photographs of the school in its' original location, I can see that this is not the case. In its' original location adjacent to the Metoba River, the equally grandiose building was surrounded by other adjoining buildings in 1963; at least in its' current location the beauty and subtle details of the building can be admired from a proper distance. Having commenced my own elementary school education over 60-years ago in the UK, the period classroom layouts invoked many happy memories!
8. Yohashira Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 313 reviews
Reviewed By OldGirlTravels - London, United Kingdom
All the maple leaves were changing colour when we visited, and the shrine was a technicolour riot of beauty. It's definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Japan.
9. Nakamachi Street
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 409 reviews
Since the 17th century, Nakamachi Street prospered as the main business district of Matsumoto’s castle town where wholesalers sold goods such as sake and kimono. It was located on the old Zenkoji Kaido, a route connecting Zenkoji Temple to Nagoya and Kyoto. Many of the historical buildings in Nakamachi are old storehouses, some being over 100 years old. Nakamachi now has a variety of shops including folk art and craft shops, restaurants, and cafes. You will also find the Kurassic-kan, which was once a sake brewery building, and the Scale Museum, which is housed in a former scale shop. Sticker campaign service has started 2018. You can get original stickers when you go to Nakamachi Street after visiting Matsumoto Castle. Free Wi-Fi is available since 2019.
Reviewed By williamsM29HU - Kobe, Japan
We found many interesting shops along this street and a could of good restaurants. There is a large mounted map and you can get a good English-language map enroute. There are several craft shops offering Japanese and local wares - pottery, lacquerware and art. We are fortunate that it wasn’t so crowded and spent a couple of hours wandering this area. It’s worth seeking out.
