Matsumoto Travel Guide

 
by salisbury3933
 
  •   Things to Do
    by salisbury3933
  •   Things to Do
    by salisbury3933
  • Samurai Frogs
      Samurai Frogs
    by salisbury3933
  • Matsumoto City water and sewer commission
      Matsumoto City water and sewer...
    by tiaomu
  • vicinity of JR Matsumoto Station, Japan
      vicinity of JR Matsumoto Station, Japan
    by RoseAmano
 

Explore Matsumoto

Things to Do  

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto

 RoseAmano Says:  The first construction of this castle was from the late 1590's and has been through numerous restorations until at least 1999. This lovely castle has nice mountain views in the background and wide open space.Here can be reached from Matsumoto Station on foot walking about... 

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto

 salisbury3933 Says:  One of the best castles I've seen in Japan. Nice grounds, nice site, and a real original castle.Inside the stairs are very steep in parts, and you can really imagine things as they must have been back in the day.Of the Japanese castles I've seen (closing in on 20), this... 

Hotels  

Toko City Hotel Matsumoto

 1 Review and 29 Opinions  9600 yen with breakfast for a twin room. It's right across the road from the station. Rooms are... 

Hotel New Station

 1 Review and 7 Opinions  This hotel is only 5 mins walk from JR Matsumoto Station. Very good location as it's near most of... 

Restaurants  

Za.Watami: Hot Pot in Winter

Za.Watami: Hot Pot in Winter, Matsumoto

 edelng Says:  We hit this restaurant by chance. It was almost full house when we arrived. We tried their famous hot pot set dinner, crab & potato coquettes, scallops on hot plate . 2 hot pot options were sold out when we ordered. They also have an English menu. We were on a 2nd floor,... 

Soba Restaurant: Restaurant near Matsum0to Castle

Soba Restaurant: Restaurant near Matsum0to Castle, Matsumoto

 edelng Says:  This restaurant is recommended by one of the locals in Matsumoto. The waiter speaks no English but they have English menu. They had horse meat set menu which we dared not try. 2nd floor is the restaurant. The ground floor sells souvenirs and their food stuff. We tried the... 

Mangetsu-ya Restaurant: Affordable Japanese cuisine in a nice setting.

Mangetsu-ya Restaurant: Affordable Japanese cuisine in a nice setting., Matsumoto

 worldkiwi Says:  The Mangetsu-ya restaurant in the suburb of Asama is well situated for backpackers staying at the Asasma HI hostel. It is just a short walk away (go right out of the hostel, left at the first intersection, walk to the next intersection and you will see two restaurants to... 

Nightlife  

TAMETEA GUMTREE

TAMETEA GUMTREE, Matsumoto

 kiwigal_1 Says:  This quaint bar/restaurant often has night events on Friday's and Saturday's. Salsa nights abound! 

Karaoke. We had to catch the...

Karaoke. We had to catch the..., Matsumoto

 asantetravel Says:  Karaoke. We had to catch the last bus to the ryokan which left at 8:30, so all we had time for was karaoke. We went to the place next to the bus terminal but it was a bit expensive. 

Transportation  

Matsumoto City water and sewer commission

Matsumoto City water and sewer commission, Matsumoto

 tiaomu Says:  You go down from Matsumoto interchange of Naganodo highway, then you can see Matsumoto City water and sewer commission in front of your sight. 

Matsumoto Station as central link to other places

Matsumoto Station as central link to other places, Matsumoto

 RoseAmano Says:  You can access here via an Express Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station (three hours by JR special express "Super Azusa"). Matsumoto is located in relatively central Japan, and is a convenient transfer point to Tokyo (three hours by JR special express "Super Azusa"), western Sea... 

Azusa Express Train

Azusa Express Train, Matsumoto

 salisbury3933 Says:  The Azusa express train goes direct from Shinjuku station in Tokyo to Matsumoto on around an hourly basis.Takes just under 3 hours, and costs around about 7000 yen. 

Town Sneaker around Matsumoto

Town Sneaker around Matsumoto, Matsumoto

 edelng Says:  A day trip bus fare cost 300yen. 

How to get to Matsumoto.

How to get to Matsumoto., Matsumoto

 worldkiwi Says:  The easiest way to include Matsumoto on your Japan trip itinerary is to take a train there from either Tokyo of Nagoya. Both these cities have international airports. If you are staying in Kyoto or Osaka, trains connect through Nagoya.The train to Matsumoto from Tokyo... 

Local Customs  

Not sure what this is all about!

Not sure what this is all about!, Matsumoto

 salisbury3933 Says:  Interesting anyway! 

JAPANESE CUSTOMS

JAPANESE CUSTOMS, Matsumoto

 kiwigal_1 Says:  Japan is FULL of interesting differences with other countries. For example: TOILETS : Public toilets in Japan are mostly the squating variety although count yourself lucky if you happen to find an electronic 'space rocket' toilet with lots of fancy gagets to play with! TAXIS... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

SNOW AND ICE

SNOW AND ICE, Matsumoto

 kiwigal_1 Says:  As with other parts of Nagano it is worth warning you of the dangers in winter. Matsumoto is nestled in the Japan Alps and as such is a fairly cold place in winter. Yes, there ARE snowstorms and yes, the roads ARE slippery! Take care! 

What to Pack  

WHAT TO BRING?

WHAT TO BRING?, Matsumoto

 kiwigal_1 Says:  If you plan on doing a lot of train travel when you are in Japan then I suggest that you decline from bringing large, heavy suitcases. Most train stations in Japan have huge staircases (often no lift) so lugging a big suitcase is not an easy task. I suggest a good backpack... 

Off The Beaten Path  

HAKUBA

HAKUBA, Matsumoto

 kiwigal_1 Says:  I mentioned Hakuba on my Nagano page. I decided that it needs to be mentioned here also as it is actually easier to get to Hakuba by train from Matsumoto. It takes a couple of hours on the local train but doesn't cost a lot. For those of you who aren't in the 'know' Hakuba... 

Most people begin their hikes...

Most people begin their hikes..., Matsumoto

 asantetravel Says:  Most people begin their hikes from Matusmoto and miss out on Hotaka. Rent a bike (300\/hr), then spend the day riding through wasabi fields surrounded by mountains. There are also many painted jizo to see. Don’t forget to have a taste of some wasabi soft ice cream – it... 

Favorites  

Wandering the streets is a great way to explore.

Wandering the streets is a great way to explore., Matsumoto

 worldkiwi Says:  Wandering the streets of any city is a great way to explore, provided you have a good map! This photo was taken at the Jorinji Temple, in Matsumoto, which we stumbled across one chilly and damp April morning in 2006.The temple is down a side street off Isemachi Street. 

MATSUMOTO CASTLE

MATSUMOTO CASTLE, Matsumoto

 kiwigal_1 Says:   Lit up at night in winter Matsumoto Castle is a beautiful site. In the spring the area becomes decorated in pink and white as the Cherry Blossoms come out. One evening I went to the Castle grounds with some friends for a Cherry Blossom party! See my Japan page to learn... 

The Place

Plan a Matsumoto vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Matsumoto locals

Experience Matsumoto
  •   43 Tips and Reviews
  •  146 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Matsumoto
 

The People

5 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 Karaoke. We had to catch the last bus to the ryokan which left at 8:30, so all we had time for was karaoke. We went to the place next to the bus terminal but it... 

5 members live in Matsumoto

 

Questions and Answers

Melanie_Putra profile photo

Q:  Chuo Taxi Shuttle b/w Matsumoto and Tokyo’s Airports Hi Guys, Would anyone know how long will the journey take from Matsumoto to... 

dru46 profile photo

A: I took a look and I think you would be better off using the Keio/Alpico bus and Airport Limousine combo. They have discounts if you look at this page, but it is in... 

Read 4 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Matsumoto Writers

1

Matsumoto as the hub of central Japan

RoseAmano profile photo

 Matsumoto is located in relatively central Japan, and is a convenient transfer point to Tokyo (three hours by JR special express "Super Azusa"), western Japan hub such as Nagoya, to western Sea of... 

2

Japan's oldest castle and a city of clocks!

worldkiwi profile photo

 Matsumoto is a small provincial city surrounded by mountains, which, in spring, are covered with snow. The city's most well-known sight is the more than 400 years old Matsumoto castle. The castle is... 

3

Matsumoto

edelng profile photo

 This is a town well-known for its 400 year old castle. The town is surrounded by mountains. A JR express train from Tokyo to Matsumoto is about 2hrs 50min. From Matsumoto, we travelled to Hakuba,... 

4

One of the best castles in Japan

salisbury3933 profile photo

 Matsumoto is quite an interesting town, and the main attraction is the castle. Of the many Japanese castles I have seen, it would have to be the 2nd best, behind Himeji. 

5

asantetravel's new Matsumoto Page

asantetravel profile photo

 Matsumoto is a 2 hour train ride from Nagoya. It’s located at the base of the Japanese Alps. It is a charming city with interesting sites and food!! Specialties of the area include raw horsemeat,... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Matsumoto page