Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend, July 21-23 Your guide will greet all guests and quickly have you on your way toward the historic city of Matsumoto. Saturday: Snoop Dogg, Babyface, P-Funk Connection, Avery Sunshine, Norman Brown. Alpico and Nohi bus operate 4 round trips a day between the two cities. Awanoyu (from USD 463) Show all photos Perhaps one of the most famous onsen ryokans in the area is Awanoyu. This year, there are two Yayoi Kusama-related exhibitions. While the large festivals of Tokyo, Kyoto and other major cities attract the most attention, joining a local matsuri is perhaps the best way to experience what theyre all about; and when doing so in a rural area, expect to be welcomed by warm smiles and kind locals who appreciate youve chosen their town to visit. The journey on-foot between the towns is a lovely experience, particularly in spring and autumn. That guarantees you a secluded and serene atmosphere surrounded by nature! Spurred by the international fame of Yayoi Kusama and the Suzuki Method a revolutionary music curriculum both of which call Matsumoto home, the citys profile as a creative hub is growing with many fantastic initiatives and independent stores opening-up each year. After sunset, Matsumoto city is no longer the city of cafes, but the City of Bars! Hoshino Resorts KAI Matsumoto: A Refined Stay In Japan's City - MATCHA Visit the Former Kaichi School 5. Approximately 5-minutes walk from the castle, this small but cute precinct is one of the citys most charming little discoveries. Home to scenic farmlands producing some of Naganos best fruit and vegetables, exploring Azumino through summer and autumn is a great way to enjoy the harvest including fruit-picking at one of the many local farms recent years, a number of galleries and museums have opened in the area with restaurants and cafes complementing them perfectly. Definitely visit this brewery! Its giant and milky white hot spring bath alone is enough to attract all kinds of travelers. From downtown of Matsumoto, it takes less than 2 hours to get to Kamikochi by Alpicos train and bus. Top Things to Do in Matsumoto - Tripadvisor Naganos No.1 Tour & Charter Operator, we are the regions No.1 tour and charter operator, Hotaka Onsen-kyo is Azuminos main onsen village, our 20 Thing to Do in & Around Azumino page, Kamikochi is a pristine and beautiful alpine valley, famous for the preservation of its Edo Period (1603-1868) historic centre, Nakasendo Trail traces a historic highway, Shiga Kogen Japans largest and highest ski resort, Matsushiro is Nagano Citys renowned samurai town, see our Explore Yamanouchi Home of the Snow Monkeys page, Our Best Places to Stay in Matsumoto page, Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano. There is also a great gallery here which has a collection of weaponry and you can also visit the Matsumoto City Museum which sits in the castle grounds and offers you an overview of the history of the city. Located between Matsumoto Station and the castle, the popular and historic shopping streets of Nawate and Nakamachi are well-worth strolling. You can also take a bus to just below the summit if you wish to forgo the long hike. We can also arrange private tours and charters to any destinations in the region, and as a registered travel agent, we can package transport, accommodation and more together so you save and get the most out of your time in Matsumoto and beyond scroll to the bottom for details. Unfortunately however, many people choose to miss it off the itinerary, even though it is nestled close to the spectacular Japanese Alps, and as such offers you some of the best city scenery in all of Japan. Romantic! Things to know before going to Kamikochi 2.1. 1. The distinctive white and black, criss-crossed pattern decorates the bottom half of the buildings, imbuing the street scene with a unique and pleasing character. FUJI FIVE LAKES or HAKONE (day 3 - 4, 1 night) MATSUMOTO (day 4 - 5, 1 night) ALPINE ROUTE (day 5, day trip) KANAZAWA (day 5 - 7, 2 nights) SHIRAKAWA-GO (day 7, day trip) TAKAYAMA (day 7 - 9, 2 nights) . Hotels, lodges and campsites 2.4. The collection was started by Yoshiaki Sakai who painstakingly collected pieces over 200 years ago and locals will tell you that you can find wood block examples here that are not found anywhere else in Japan. Since the 17th century, Nakamachi Street prospered as the main business district of Matsumoto's castle town where wholesalers sold goods such as sake and kimono. If you want to witness the carving please ensure you are there on the evening of the first night. The castle looks like it has only 5 floors but actually has a hidden floor inside, making it a six-story castle. #SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: Nagano in Autumn Koyo Season Will Soon Be Here! Naganos No.1 Tour & Charter Operator. Will definitely go back!! Though much of the route is now gone, several sections can still be walked including the picturesque Kisoji, the section of road that runs through the Kiso Valley. Opened in 1933, the Imperial Hotel at Kamikochi is a branch of the historic, world renowned Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, with similar five star service and great amenities. MATSUMOTO HOTEL KAGETSU $104 ($158) - Tripadvisor Updated for 2022: A Complete Guide to Visiting Kamikochi (Best Time to Visit, Access, Opening, Hiking Routes and more). The Perfect 14-Day Japan Travel Itinerary for First Timers Enter dates. Killer Queen Game Night at Free Range Brewing. Things to Do in Matsumoto Popular things to do Top Picks Walking & Biking Tours Visitor Centres Day Trips & Excursions Luxury & Special Occasions Speciality Museums Private & Custom Tours Multi-day Tours Parks Outdoor Activities Food, Wine & Nightlife Points of Interest & Landmarks Bodies of Water Historic Sites Sacred & Religious Sites Mountains The Former Kaichi School. We recommend using a taxi or riding a Town Sneaker (west course) to get there. Heading outside of the city, visitors can explore Azuminos Daio Wasabi Farm one ofJapans largest producer of wasabi and in itself, a beautiful destination well-worth visiting. ct intro final View All Trips There are also a range of well known campsites outside the city so you can camp out under the stars and this more rural side of Japan. Some great places to check out are the Source Diner, Onjaku, Hikariya, BUN, Miyo Shokudo, Fukazake, Moriyoshi, Itoya, and almost any soba shop in town, but the list is practically endless. Nearby the city, Matsumoto Airport is an increasingly popular point of arrival for international visitors. It takes about 4 hours from Osaka to Matsumoto by shinkansen followed by express train, and cost around 10,800 yen for a one way. This is the reason that Matsumoto Castle is still in its original shape, unlike most other rebuilt castles in Japan, including the famous Osaka Castle. When you book a hotel or tour that we link to, we may earn a commission. We took a Willer bus from Shinjuku to Matsumoto and spent a night, then took the train to Shin-Shimashima then . For more information, see our How To Get To Matsumoto page. This hot spring town is a little far from the town, half-way to Kamikochi in a remote valley. Summary 1. Noteworthy are the Azumino Art Hills Museum known for its glasswork art and glass-blowing activities, Jansem Art Museum featuring the paintings of Armenian-French artist Jean Jansem, and Tensan Silk Museum where you can learn all about Japanese silk weaving from silkworm ecology to kimono. Information regarding accommodation in and around Shirahone can be found through our Shirahone Onsen Area hotel page. Both breweries make top quality beers, often mixing in locally grown fruits, grains, hops, and other ingredients to make truly unique flavours. To the south of Matsumoto, the Kiso Ontake Mountain and Kiso Valley including the historic Nakasendo are within easy reach; while the Limited Express Shinano running from Nagoya to Nagano via Matsumoto connects visitors to Nagano City, the Jigokudani Monkey Park and the regions many ski resorts. Advertising Have a healthy meal at Alps Gohan Alps Gohan owner. (*Free shuttle bus available from Matsumoto station.). It is most famous for Matsumotojo, one of Japan's most beautiful original castles. This destination is full of amazing things to discover so if you're going to Japan check out these top things to do in Matsumoto, Japan. Held on August 14th each year, the Azumino Fireworks Festival lays claim to being the third largest display in Nagano Prefecture. Our most recommended things to do in Matsumoto 1. The buses depart every 15-60 minutes depending on the hours. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Matsumoto - Tripadvisor With multiple beers on tap along with a menu of tasty snacks including gyoza (dumplings), and both indoor and outdoor seating on the terrace, enjoying a cold beer at the end of the day is great way to cap-off your exploration of the city as look down one of the main thoroughfares toward the North Alps. Nature Jodogahama Beach. more, THE 10 BEST Matsumoto Nightlife Activities. Taiko drumming is one of the most fun things to do in Matsumoto. Matsumotos famous castle only survives due to the intervention of two notable local residents Ishikawa Ryozo and Kobayashi Unari who gathered public support and funds to purchase the castle and save it from destruction in the late 19th century before advocating for its restoration in the early 20th century. Taiko Drum Festival / late-July / 17:30 to 21:00 / admission is free. See bus timetable from Shinjuku to Matsumoto >, Book Shinjuku-Matsumoto bus ticket online here >. Attractions. While you might not know her name, theres a good chance you will recognise her artwork which is bright, playful and bold and uplifting. If you want to get around Matsumoto in style and dont have a huge amount of time to spend in the town then you may want to opt for a scenic bus tour. Home to the near-1400 year old Zenko-ji Temple, Nagano is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen via Nagano Station, connecting the region to Tokyo in the south and Toyama and Kanazawa in the northwest. Actually consisting of three villages, they are known for their distinctive gassho-style thatch-roofed houses set in a beautiful alpine setting of rice fields and high mountains above. Day 1: Kamikochi & Matsumoto with Kids. Operating all year round, we are Naganos No.1-rated tour and charter operator, offering a range of services including group tours, private tours and charters. Map. You will also find artefacts including old cannons, guns, swords, and more on display inside. One of the main reasons to come to Matsumoto is that it is located in a lush valley surrounded by hills and peaks, some of which measure 3,000 meters in height, and this makes it a refreshing semi-rural option if you have already visited urban centers like Tokyo and Osaka. 19 / TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE / April to November. These places are best for nightlife in Matsumoto: We stopped in to the brewery after visiting the castle. There are also tour guides here who will take you around the museum and explain some of the pieces on show. Free, cheap things to do this weekend in Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Observer 15. The hot spring towns like Asama and Utsukushigahara Onsen are accessible by the Alpicos local bus that depart from the bus terminal, near the JR Matsumoto station. Much smaller than Ogimachi they are also far less visited and offer a peaceful experience of these important rural hamlets. For accommodation listings in the city, please see our Nagano City Area hotel page. Location: 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station. Matsumoto Brewery has two tap rooms, one located in the Shinmai Media Garden Building other in Nakamachi. You can sample and buy miso at the breweries shop, eat a miso-based lunch at their restaurant and even tour the brewery, with informative tours available in both English and Japanese. Global Dance Festival.Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St. 3 . You may not immediately think of tofu when you think of Matsumoto but actually this humble foodstuff has been produced and eaten here for centuries. Many if not most visitors heading to Matsumoto are drawn by its iconic castle, one of the few remaining original castles in Japan and a registered National Treasure. If you really want to avoid the crowds, consider heading to the other villages of Suganuma and Ainokura. If you didnt know, now you know. Leisurely hiking trails span-out across the highlands which on a clear day affords beautiful 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. While the best time for autumn leaves viewing in the mountainous area starts from late September until early of November, the best time to enjoy the autumn color in downtown area is around the middle of November. For travellers willing to go a little further and combine their exploration of Matsumoto with other engaging destinations, you can also find accommodation in Shiraone Onsen, Norikura Kogen, Kamikochi and of course Nagano City. Bus fare costs from 4,100 to 4,500 yen. Matsumoto is one of Central Japans most historic and rewarding cities, wit. They provide many cultural tours and activities, here are some of our recommendations. This hot spring in about 15-20 minutes away from downtown by Alpico bus (No. The museum also features an exhibit of works by local artists and visiting exhibitions of other Japanese and international artists. Things To Do in Matsumoto Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog Jan 21-23: Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival, Apr 8-15: Nighttime Cherry Blossom Viewing. So while its castle that might attract people to visit, its everything else that the city has to offer that makes them want to stay. A Complete 1-Night Plan in Matsumoto. With events held over two days September 26-27th the community comes together in celebration of Azuminos founding-legends. Once in Takayama, follow the directions above to reach Kamikochi. You can either ride a JR Shinonoi Line (1,170 yen, 1hr 15min), or Alpico bus (1,600 yen, 1hr 15min) from Nagano station to Matsumoto station. Each season offers its own advantages and experience so there isnt really the best time to visit. Next to Alpico Plaza Hotel is Matsumoto Tsunagu Yokocho, which is a food hall packed with eateries and Izakayas, Japanese-style bars. Book a Samurai Cosplay and Sword Fighting Tour >. Nature Nishibama Beach. You may not think of Matsumoto as a place to go hiking, but actually if you get outside the city center then there is a range of lush countryside to enjoy. 12 Best Onsen Ryokans In Matsumoto, Nagano - Updated 2023 Nagano is home to around 80 resorts however only a few were lucky enough to host events including Hakuba Happo One. 13 / HIKING MOUNT NORIKURA / June to November.