The 10 Best Tours in Matsumoto, Chubu

Exciting hands-on introduction to the famous Nagano Prefecture's apples! Discover a local legend among the traditional farmers! Experience what it is like to work on an apple orchard or just come to try the fresh apples you can pick right from the tree. There are a few different varieties of apples grown here, each variety depending on the time of year. The Shinano Sweet Apples are available from early to mid-October, Shinano Gold from mid-October to the end of the month, and in November enjoy Sun Fuji Apples! Experience Matsumoto’s beautiful landscape from a unique perspective. Talk with local farmers and share their experiences of rural life. This is your opportunity learn what it’s like in a traditional Japanese orchard and gain an appreciation of the country lifestyle in Nagano! In order to preserve and protect the apple orchard, we do not accept more than 5 people per booking. Your local farmer speaks English and Japanese.

Inclusions: English or Japanese speaking Private Guide, Free Apples from the orchards during the activity , 3 apples per people offered at the end of the activity, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Miscellaneous fees during the activity (meals, snacks, souvenirs etc.), Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)

Discover a real feudal era castle and much more of Matsumoto City on a personalized full-day tour! Explore all the nooks and crannies of the city! Our local resident English or French speaking guides are available to provide the most fascinating and enjoyable experience possible. Experience Matsumoto from a local’s point of view! You may customize your half-day itinerary however you desire and explore each site in whatever order you wish. Or simply follow our recommended tour. Let us help you choose the best option to meet your needs! 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! The provided tour details is our recommended itinerary. Tour available in English and French.

Inclusions: English or French speaking Private Guide, The preparation of your personalized itinerary according to your interests, Transportation, meals, entrance tickets, etc. for your guide

Exclusions: Transportation, meals, entrance tickets, miscellaneous fees for you during the activity, Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)

100% hands-on from start to finish, experience a uniquely authentic Japanese Cuisine for yourself! The region of Matsumoto is famous for the quality of its Soba (buckwheat flour noodles), thanks to the exceptional quality of the local environment. Just a short walk from Matsumoto Castle, you can 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! The Soba master speaks English and Japanese.

Inclusions: Soba Noodle Making with the Soba Master, Soba Noodle Tasting (cold), Soba Making Recipe

Exclusions: Other kind of Soba Noodle Tasting (Hot or Soup), Side Dish (Tempura, snacks etc.) and Drinks, Miscellaneous fees during the activity (snacks, souvenirs, etc.), Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)

You can do Sake Tasting in friendly owner’s brewery, have wonderful local Matsumoto food for lunch and drink great local craft beer. We will walk through famous street in old town as well as hidden places to explore more about Matsumoto city. Of course in this tour you will enjoy Matsumoto castle which is ranked in top 3 beautiful castle in Japan and is a registered National Treasure. - Matsumoto castle entrance fees are included - Sake Tasting - Lunch - Local Craft Beer(1 drink) - Walking through one of the busiest streets in Matsumoto city and you can enjoy Japanese stalls - Learn and practice authentic Japanese eating style and discover other parts of - Matsumoto outside of your guidebook. - Connect with local business owners to learn the history and local culture. - Photography Tour / We will be on hand to take some happy snaps(by DSLR camera) which will be shared with you after the tour!

Inclusions: Matsumoto castle entrance fees, Sake tasting, Lunch, Local craft beer(1 drink)

Exclusions: Extra drinks and food (available to purchase), Bullet train tickets and other transportation fees., Meal for infant

Discover a real feudal era castle and the historical streets! Explore an introduction into Matsumoto’s past and present! Our local resident English or French speaking guides are available to provide the most fascinating and enjoyable experience possible. Experience Matsumoto from a local’s point of view! You may customize your half-day itinerary however you desire and explore each site in whatever order you wish. Or simply follow our recommended tour. Let us help you choose the best option to meet your needs! 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! The provided tour details is our recommended itinerary. Tour available in English and French.

Inclusions: English or French speaking Private Guide, The preparation of your personalized itinerary according to your interests, Transportation, meals, entrance tickets, etc... for your guide

Exclusions: Transportation, meals, entrance tickets, miscellaneous fees for you during the activity, Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)

Explore Matsumoto at your own pace and to your own interests on this full-day private guided tour. Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's best-preserved castles, then explore surrounding streets, including quirky "Frog Street," known for its abundance of frog products. Afterward, visit tranquil Hotaka Town, home to Japan’s largest wasabi farm where you can try wasabi ice-cream and visit nearby Hotaka Shrine.

Inclusions: Transportation within Matsumoto City (either public transportation or private chartered vehicle), Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off within Matsumoto, Flexibility to customize your itinerary according to your preferences, Trip to Matsumoto Castle, Nawate Street, Daio Wasabi Farm and more

Exclusions: Meals, snacks and drinks, Optional Activities in Matsumoto

With this tour you will be able to learn how to make your very own Soba noodles. You will be taught the basics of making soba, afterwards a professional soba chef will instruct you on making your soba. From creating the dough to cutting the dough into noodle slices, you will be able to experience what the soba chef does for a living. Of course after all your hard work, you will be able to eat your very own masterpiece. -What is Soba noodle?- Soba noodle is a popular noodle dish like ramen in Japan. However unlike ramen Soba noodle is made from buckwheat flour, although in some places and region they would add wheat flour as well. Soba noodle can be eaten either hot or cold, which makes a great dish for both cold season and warm seasons. When eating soba you will dip into a sauce called "Tsuyu," and you would slurp while eating with a chopsticks. Matsumoto where you would be visiting is very popular with Soba, try and make your very own soba and become a soba chef.

Inclusions: English speaking assistant, Soba noodle, Soba noodle making lessson

Exclusions: Drink, Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Learn the secrets of the local Japanese Sake, an integral part of the Japanese Culture! Sake is one of the most famous alcoholic beverages in Japan and is mainly made with water and rice. Therefore, a good quality of Sake requires a great natural environment, such as you find in Nagano Prefecture, and more especially here in Matsumoto. This area is blessed with natural mineral-rich waters from the surrounding mountains and high quality rice from local farms! Despite Sake tasting much like wine, the production of Sake is more like brewing beer and relies on similar fermentation techniques. Learn all the different steps involved in producing Sake and experience a tour of a real Sake Brewery. Sample some of the different local Sake and discover all the secrets of producing great Sake for yourself! Please note that in accordance with Japanese laws, people less than 20 years old are not allowed to drink alcohol. Available in English and French.

Inclusions: English or French speaking Guide, Entry/Admission – Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting, Transportation fees to and from the sake brewery/meeting place for you and your guide

Exclusions: Miscellaneous fees during the activity (meals, snacks, souvenirs etc.), Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)

There's no better place to experience Japanese history and culture than in a city with a real castle from the feudal era! Come and enjoy three different experiences with this unique workshop! Taiko Drumming: Our passionate instructors will guide you step-by-step as you progress through the many rhythmic patterns that gradually increased in difficulty. Learn how to become a real Taiko Drummer right next door to Matsumoto Castle! Samurai Sword Fighting: Experience for yourself this ancestral fighting art. Learn how to handle a sword and after covering some moves, you can have your stage combat recorded on video. Become the star of your own samurai story! Ninja Experience: A fun experience for all, especially for families with kids. The Ninja Master will teach you three major ninja methods: Ninja Throwing Stars, Ninja Blowguns and Ninja Combat. Receive Ninja training from a Ninja Master and become a real Ninja Warrior! Activity available in English and French.

Inclusions: English or French speaking Private Guide, Transportation fees for your Guide to commute at the meeting point, Certificate of Attendance

Exclusions: Samurai, Taiko and Ninja outfits, Miscellaneous fees during the activity (drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc.), Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)

This value-packed trip with a nationally/state licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Matsumoto! Matsumoto is an attractive, cosmopolitan city featuring a superb castle, pretty streets, galleries, and cafes. Matsumoto is a great stepping stone on your way to the Northern Alps, or you can simply enjoy the city's fresh air and dramatic scenery of the nearby mountain peaks. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: Nationally and State Licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Private Vehicle, Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)