Top Things to do in Matsumoto
Top Restaurants in Matsumoto
What to do and see in Matsumoto, Chubu: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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. Taiko Drum Workshop by Hibikiza
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
This activity is especially for beginners. Whether you participate by yourself, as a couple, or as a family, the program is fun for everyone. You will begin by learning the proper stance, movements, and how to hold the drum sticks. You will then practice a simple rhythm. Finish by playing a short piece together with the instructor. It will also allow you to witness a taiko drum performance. *Advance booking required.
Reviewed By lizzyV123
I was a bit hesitant when I booked this unsure of what to expect but it was fantastic in every regard and I am so glad that I tried it! Sana-san and Nobu-san were excellent teachers: knowledgable, humorous, patient, encouraging, and fun! In the class they gave us a bit of background about the culture of taiko drums. They then got us practicing and playing (which was super fun and a great physical work out). The highlight was the demonstrations they gave: Taiko drums are very powerful and their playing is phenomenal. If you are thinking about taking this workshop, don't question it - just do it.
2. Samurai and Ninja Studio Kenyu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Become a samurai! At the studio kenyu in Nagano Prefecture Matsumoto City, you have a sword wearing a kimono, you will receive an activity that will allow you to act as a samurai and take action!
Reviewed By dynamic14 - Singapore, Singapore
Truly a great experience to dress up as a samurai whilst learning some moves with the sword under the guidance of an instructor. Hubby had booked this Samurai Sword Fighting workshop online through Matsumoto Experience Information Centre at 5000 yen per person. However if you book directly with the studio, the price as stated on the posters was 4000 yen for a 60-90 minute session. If you do go to Matsumoto, highly recommend some time to visit the studio and you could you could transform yourself into a ninja or samurai for an hour or two. Or simply rent the Japanese costume and snap some lovely memorable pictures.
3. 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!!
4. Kametaya Sake Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
5. Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By BoardingPass151160 - Singapore, Singapore
If you are an art lover and especially a fan of Yayoi Kusama, this museum showcased her art mind from the moment before you step into the compound and throughout the museum. Unfortunately there's no photography allowed inside the museum. Yayoi Kusama's art displays are on the 3rd floor. You could walk up the grand staircase or take the lift. Oh, one more thing, you are not allowed to bring your bag into the gallery, to prevent vandalism and probably accidental damage to the artworks. There's a locker for you to keep your staff though. No worry. The first artwork of Yayoi Kusama is the the great pumpkin. It was a magnificent piece of sculpture. Apart from her polkadotsy artworks, you'll get to see her other intricate works. If you look close enough, you'll see how she painted herself into her works. There are also amateurs artworks on the 2nd & 3rd floor galleries as well. There are some really great works on display including sculpture. Take your time enjoying these great work of arts. If you don't mind walking, its about 10 to 15mims walk from Matsumoto Station.
6. Ringo no Yuya Obu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Why Don’t You Experience Japanese Culture for Common People? We take a bath every single day. By taking a bath, we remove our physical fatigue of the day and adjust our body conditions. Thanks to this manner, Japan may be among the top 3 country with the longest lifespan. Men and women separately take baths naked. It is for you to hard to believe but we have the culture to take a bath naked. Therefore, there are baths separated by men and women. Why don't you experience our Japanese original "Naked Communion"? We NEVER wash our bodies in a bath tub. Where do you wash your body? We warm up and heal our bodies in a bath tub. We rinse off and wash in "the washing body area".
7. Matsumoto Brewery Tap Room
8. 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!
