Matsumoto

The city of Matsumoto, an enclave that prospered in feudal times, preserves many vestiges of its past. Matsumoto is also one of the gates of the Chubu-Sangaku National Park (or Japanese Alps National Park). Many visitors also come in summer for its famous Taiko Festival (Japanese drums) and the Takigi-Noh festival (Noh theater performances by torchlight) that takes place in the castle.

What to see

Matsumoto Castle

Symbol of the city, built in 1504, in the difficult times of the civil war. The moat and stone walls are the remains of the original buildings. Its imposing tower, declared a National Treasure, is the oldest of 5 heights of all existing castles in Japan. It offers a beautiful view of the peaks of the Japanese Alps and the Utsukushigahara plateau. The gardens around the moat form a large public park where many cherry trees are planted.

• 15-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride from JR Matsumoto Bus Station

Matsumoto City Museum

Located in front of the castle, the museum exhibits 91,000 objects related to the archeology, history, folklore and nature of this region. Agricultural machinery, works related to traditional religion or dolls from the Tanabata festival that are particularly interesting.

• 15-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride from JR Matsumoto Bus Station

Kaichi Old School Building

The Kaichi Gakko or Kaichi School was the first Western-style school built in Japan in 1876. Nowadays converted into a museum, the building is Western-style with a wide white facade that harmoniously contrasts with the blue roof of the roof. The classrooms and auditorium have been preserved in their original construction as a primary school. Numerous documents and objects related to teaching are exhibited. The building is listed as Important Cultural Property.

• 10-minute walk from Matsumoto Castle, or 25-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station

Clock museum

Opened in September 2002, this museum houses a collection of antique clocks, some donated by the citizens of Matsumoto.

• 7 minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station

Alpine park

Overlooking the northern highlands of the Japanese Alps and Azumino, this public park is particularly beautiful. A thematic museum “Mountains and Nature”, exhibits specimens of local flora, fauna and insects.

• 25 minute bus ride from Matsumoto Dentetsu Bus Terminal

Ukiyo-e Museum

With over 100,000 copies, painted displays, and old books, this is the largest private ukiyo-e museum. It presents the collection of the Sakai family over several generations.

• 7 minutes by taxi from JR Matsumoto Station, or 15 minutes on foot from Oniwa Station, Matsumoto Dentetsu Line.