Matsumoto

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Matsumoto Castle
No. 17 of Best Things to Do in Kōshin'etsu region

Matsumoto Castle

4.7
4.8/5
169 reviews

The predecessor of Matsumoto Castle was Fukashi Castle. At the beginning of the Muromachi period, Ogasawara Sadamune, a retainer of the Ashikaga Takahashi clan, was entrusted with the guardianship of Shinano, and the castle was built. In the 17th year of Tenten (1548), when Takeda Shingen of Kohi defeated Ogasawara Chang of Forest City, this place was used as a base for advancing from Higashi Shinano to Kitashinano. The scale of Shenzhi City gradually expanded. During this period, Kiso Yoshimao, Ogasawara Zhenzhong, Ogasawara Zhenqing, and Ogasawara Hidezheng served as the city lords of Shenzhi City respectively. After the fall of the Takeda clan, Ogasawara Masaki, who inherited his father's land, changed the name of Fukashi Castle to Matsumoto Castle. In the 18th year of Tensho (1590), Toyotomi Hideyoshi destroyed the Hojo clan in Odawara, entered Kanto, and transferred the city to Ishikawa. After that, Toyotomi received a salary of 80,000 stone and began to build a five-story and six-tiered tower. It was not until the era of Kang Chang, the son of Shuzheng, that it was finally completed (that is, the prototype of the existing Songyuan Castle). The Tsukimi and Tatsumi turrets used in the castle were built in the early Edo period. After that, he went through the Ogasawara clan, the Toda Matsudaira clan, the Horita clan, and the Mizuno clan. Matsumoto Castle is a typical flat city. The castles of Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru are roughly square. The tower is set in the southwest of Honmaru, surrounded by the concave Ninomaru lacking the north, and surrounded by the square Sannomaru on the outside.

Matsumoto · 292m from downtown

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Experiences you can't miss in Matsumoto

Featured Day tours in Matsumoto

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Kamikōchi Hiking 1-Day Tour|Azusa River Hidden Gem: Myojin Pond Mountain Pilgrimage [Round-trip from Nagoya]
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4.8/5
· 76 reviews· 1.2k booked
Duration: 10.5 hrs
English
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97.4% of travelers recommend
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From€ 35.00€ 36.85
Hiking in the hidden alpine paradise of Kamikochi | Kappabashi Bridge & Taisho Ike Pond | Round-trip from Nagoya
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4.9/5
· 90 reviews· 1.9k booked
Duration: 10.3 hrs
English
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22 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 43.87
Nagoya, Japan: Kamikochi, Kappa Bridge, God's Falling Land, and Taisho Pond Day Tour
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4.4/5
· 12 reviews· 253 booked
Duration: 7 hrs
English
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Seasonal Limited: Nagoya Strolling Kamikochi one-day tour(Myojin Pond, Kappa Bridge, and Taisho Pond)
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4.8/5
· 43 reviews· 374 booked
Duration: 10.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
34 consecutive positive reviews
15% off
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From€ 37.85€ 44.53
Nagoya area: Matsumoto + Nagano private chartered 1-day tour [adjustable itinerary, private car pick-up]
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From€ 64.80

Featured Culture & history in Matsumoto

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Matsumoto Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Artistic Spirits
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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20% off
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From€ 5.19€ 6.49
Matsumoto Discovery - Half Day Walking Tour
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4.9/5
· 35 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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22 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 56.86
Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour
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4.9/5
· 47 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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42 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 55.46
Matsumoto Castle Tour & Soba Noodle Making Workshop
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
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4.9/5
· 86 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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86 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 77.53
Matsumoto Castle, Sake & Local Bites Walking Tour
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Matsumoto: Samurai Experience with Sword and Archery
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
From€ 90.34

Featured Food & drink in Matsumoto

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Matsumoto Castle, Sake & Local Bites Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
From€ 127.64
Nagano Snow Monkeys, Limited-Time Kamakura Snow Domes & Sukiyaki Lunch Day Tour | Guaranteed Daily Departure
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4.7/5
· 405 reviews· 106 booked
Duration: 10.5 hrs
English
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94.3% of travelers recommend
25% off
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From€ 93.44€ 124.59
Food & Culture Walk in Nagano: Oyaki, Sake, Matcha & Zenkoji
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4.9/5
· 52 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
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52 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 80.07

Featured Spa & wellness in Matsumoto

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Nagano: Snow Monkey Park, Soba Lunch, and Shibu Onsen Tour
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5.0/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
From€ 113.63
Departing from Nagoya | Bokka no Sato snow park fun + hot spring 1-day tour
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1-day tour to Bokka no Sato Snow Park + Hot Springs from Nagoya (Departing from Nagoya)
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From€ 1,562.04

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Private Tours in Matsumoto

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Matsumoto Today's weatherMostly cloudy 8-15℃
Matsumoto weather for the next 2 days11/15: 7-14℃, 11/16: 4-15℃

Free things to do in Matsumoto

What travellers say about Matsumoto

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_TI***e317 April 2025
5.0
Very beautiful castle, especially with cherry blossom trees in full bloom

Matsumoto Castle

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翱翔的大鲨鱼18 August 2020
4.0
Of course, you have to come to Japan to play in the snow in winter! This ski resort has very advanced equipment. The management is also very good. The division of labor between each area is clear. The facilities are very user-friendly, making tourists feel very comfortable and happy.

Mt. Norikura Snow Resort

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_TX***um28 August 2023
4.0
Timeless beauty preserved. Matsumoto Castle Park's architecture and ambiance immerse visitors in Japan's rich history

Matsumoto Castle Park

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BossMan1874 January 2025
5.0
Most beautiful valleys and rivers in Japan. I travelled many countries but this was amazing in all aspects. Superb experience. You can do it in one day but better to sleep over 1 night if hotels nearby available. I went with a bus from Nagoya a 3hrs journey 1 way.

Kamikōchi

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小月亮弯弯27 January 2018
5.0
White Bone Hot Spring lived up to my expectations! Very good hot spring service and great service. The person in charge of the reception was a middle-aged female general whose hometown is in Shikoku. She was great hahaha

Shirahone Onsen

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大海家的女汉子4 November 2022
5.0
The surface of Taisho Pond reflects Mt. Hotakogen, and the calm water is a sight to behold. The "standing dead tree" in the pond creates a wonderful sight depending on the season and time of day.

Taisho Ike Pond

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かある12 May 2023
5.0
Visited Kamikochi on May 4th. The snow-capped Hotaka mountain range is in the background of Kappa Bridge. It is picturesque. It is a 3-4 minute walk from Kamikochi bus terminal.

Kappabashi Bridge

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YA’s Home 旅遊冒險·愛分享愛生活18 November 2023
5.0
Born in Matsumoto, Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist who is famous for her use of dots and is active on the world stage. The first time I saw his works was at the Towada City Art Museum in Tohoku, Japan. His works were really bright and childlike, very eye-catching and impressive. So knowing that Matsumoto's hometown also has an art museum, we stopped by to take some photos. There is also a huge BigAEON mall right next to it, which is great for shopping. The supermarket is full of prepared food and is easy to buy and replenish. After visiting the art museum, we went shopping in the shopping mall and then prepared to leave Matsumoto City.

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Trip Moments in Matsumoto

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Matsumoto?

Don't miss these attractions in Matsumoto: Matsumoto Castle, Mt. Norikura Snow Resort, and Nomugi Toge Ski Resort. If you like Day tours, try Kamikōchi Hiking 1-Day Tour|Azusa River Hidden Gem: Myojin Pond Mountain Pilgrimage [Round-trip from Nagoya]. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Matsumoto Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Artistic Spirits.

You can give [Matsumoto Samurai] Sword fight performance, experience & premium Japanese cuisine package and Matsumoto Castle, Sake & Local Bites Walking Tour a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Kamikōchi Hiking 1-Day Tour|Azusa River Hidden Gem: Myojin Pond Mountain Pilgrimage [Round-trip from Nagoya], Hiking in the hidden alpine paradise of Kamikochi | Kappabashi Bridge & Taisho Ike Pond | Round-trip from Nagoya, and Nagoya, Japan: Kamikochi, Kappa Bridge, God's Falling Land, and Taisho Pond Day Tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 14 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Matsumoto is around EUR 35 – EUR 71.72. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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