Matsumoto Discovery - One Day Private Tour

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.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Kasamori Inari Shrine, 1-17-11 Chuo, Matsumoto 390-0811 Nagano Prefecture

Hidden among the tall modern buildings in downtown Matsumoto City, Kasamori Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari, a deity of the rice harvest and prosperity in business. The shrine stands alongside Jorinji Temple, fronted by a wooden gate constructed during the Edo period over 200 years ago. This gate is considered the oldest wooden gate in Matsumoto.
On your way to Matsumoto Castle, stop by the Kasamori Inari’s hidden shrine and catch a glimpse of two traditions, Shinto and Buddhism living in harmony.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Matsumoto Castle, 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto 390-0873 Nagano Prefecture

Matsumoto Castle is one of five castles designated as ‘National Treasures of Japan’ and the oldest castle donjon remaining in Japan. Construction began in 1592 of the elegant black and white structure with its three turrets. Because of the elegant black walls, Matsumoto Castle is sometimes called ‘Crow Castle’.
Please note that the stairs to reach the top of Matsumoto Castle’s tower are steep and narrow.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Nawate Shopping District, Matsumoto Nagano Prefecture

Nawate Street is a row of small shops with a subtle but recurring frog theme. Aside from a variety of snack shops, the street also has plenty of little nick knack shops and souvenirs. Yohashira Shrine is also on Nawate Street and is a lovely place to sit while enjoying your taiyaki or rice crackers.
Feel free to stroll along Nawate Street and enjoy a relaxed rural village atmosphere within the heart of the city. Here you will find warm culture and hospitality and maybe a souvenir or two!

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Nakamachi Street, Chuo, Matsumoto 390-0811 Nagano Prefecture

Nakamachi Street is a historic shopping area known for its old traditional storehouses called “Kura” which are characterized by their black-and-white, criss-cross patterned walls. This beautiful street is also a popular shopping area among the locals with many shops and restaurants to choose from.
You can find many Japanese handicrafts, such as pottery, lacquerware and wooden crafts.
Nakamachi retains this mercantile spirit, landmark of which is the old “Kurassic-kan”, a fully restored Sake warehouse, open to the public for viewing and host to many cultural activities.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, 2206-1 島立小柴 Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0852, Japan

The Ukiyo-e Museum in Matsumoto contains Japan’s largest private collection of Ukiyo-e art (woodblock prints), paintings screens and old books in the world. Assembled over more than five generations by the Sakai family, the collection includes original works by famous Ukiyo-e artists such as Utagawa Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai.
Katsushika Hokusai is most famous for his Ukiyo-e series entitled “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” which includes the now iconic world-over work “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”.
Discover this traditional Japanese art, which became a great source of inspiration for famous western artists such as Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh!

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kametaya Sake Brewery, Shimadachi 2748, Matsumoto 390-0852 Nagano Prefecture

Take a tour of a local Sake brewery. You’ll get a glimpse inside the makings of Japanese history, culture and society. There are many types of sake to match each and every taste. While the process of making sake is akin to brewing beer, the finished product is best paired with different foods like western wine, designed to match the flavor profiles of any local meal!
After touring the Sake brewery, you’re welcome to try different kind of local sake!
Please note that in accordance with Japanese laws, people less than 20 years old are not allowed to drink alcohol

Duration: 2 hours