DLi_hk. The samurai stayed here during battle. The rope must have worked because it no longer leans. By local trains, the one way journey between Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) and Matsumoto along the JR Chuo and Shinanoi Lines takes about five hours, typically requires about three transfers of trains and costs 4070 yen. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 31,000 This Matsumoto tour offers you the opportunity to discover the captivating city in just 8 hours. First, though, youll need to take your shoes off and carry them around with you in a plastic bag while you tour the castle. We are especially grateful for him showing us an amazing manga store off the beaten path for my daughter to find a specific manga. The exhibits are mostly about the city of Matsumoto and not the castle per se. Tickets cost 5000 - 8000 and the journey takes 2h 35m. The reason for using black lacquer is to protect the castle from fire. The museum is next to the southern entrance. We get on the Super Express Train AZUSA boud for Tokyo. This is an authentic Samurai fortress with big walls, moats, and towers, and it can be visited on a day trip from Tokyo or other parts of Japan. The castle is a 15-minute walk north of Matsumoto Station. Matsumoto Castle | Visit Matsumoto - Flights: compare and search for the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, Accommodation: hotels to hostels, glamping to apartments, I always use Booking.com, Tours: to find the best group tours and activities worldwide (with up to 20% off), use Viator, Visa: dont forget tocheck the immigration entry requirementsfor the passport you are travelling with. Notice the large and rare stone called the Genba Stone on the left side of the second entrance. Soak in the Hot Springs at Asama Onsen. But if you'd like to say thanks for the free content, you can. If you have found this post useful, please share the love on social media! Nobunaga was the first to do this. Plus, Shinya recommended us a lunch place that we absolutely loved. Required fields are marked *. Whilst youre near the castle, you should check out the 400-year old Fukashi-no-I, one of the 200 or so natural spring water wells spread across Matsumoto city, which are still in use to this day. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Matsumoto Castle was designated as a National Treasure. The first floor was used for storage of food, weapons, and ammunition. As the war progressed into the 1560s and 1570s, some of these warlords ambitions grew, and they decided to overthrow the useless Ashikaga family become shogun themselves. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory Information, The gorgeous reflection of the illuminated castle in the moat at night, See the Japanese carp (koi fish) that live in the castle's moat. The one way trip costs 6620 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass. And there are some good hotels near the train station. I look forward to seeing you again in the near future in Japan. Samurai Castles: History / Architecture / Visitors Guide, Matsumoto Citys Official Tourism Website, Tokyo Itinerary: How to Spend 4 Days in Tokyo, Takayama Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Japan's "Little Kyoto", Travel Guide to Shirakawago: Enter a Japanese Fairy Tale, Kyoto Itinerary: A City of a Million Temples, How to Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Tokyo, 13 Things You Need to Know Before Going to Japan, The 20 Best Novels to Read Before Visiting Japan, Traveling Solo in Japan: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Dont Panic: What to do if you need a doctor in Japan. The castle is about a 15 minute walk from Matsumoto Station. The third floor cant be seen from the outside as there are few windows. This itinerary comes from both my extensive research and travels around Matsumoto. For a small fee you can enter the castle's inner grounds. la carte or an Asian breakfast. Is 1 hour enough time ,to visit . His success was partly due to luck, partly because he was a ruthless bastard, and also because he was a wise and innovative general. The castle has been damaged by some earthquakes, most recently in 2011, but good restoration work has kept it looking as nice as ever. At Minka House each room comes with bed linen and towels. It was really delicious. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 12 km from Minka House. I am very glad to hear that you enjoyed the "Architecture Tour" very much. Continue your Matsumoto itinerary by walking down Daimyocho Street until you get to Nawate Street. Matsumoto Castle is one of the grandest castles in Japan. You'll also get step-by-step instructions for buying and using your Japan Rail Pass. Id be more than happy to answer them! Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I was extreemly moved when I read it. Featuring 4-star accommodation, Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring is located in Matsumoto, 600 metres from Matsumoto Station and 3.9 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum. We could not have found a better guide to connect us to Tokyo in a deeper manner. There are a number of ways to enter the outer grounds of the castle. Nawate Street is a narrow pedestrian-only street of preserved old wooden buildings that have been converted into souvenir shops, snack shops, cafs, and restaurants. Recommended option Train via Nagano 2h 50m Take the train from Tokyo to Nagano Kagayaki / . Matsumoto Castle was originally built in the 1500s, and most of the buildings surviving today date back to 1594. A single ride costs 200. Your email address will not be published. Click below to tell us what you are looking for. Welcome to my blog! Matsumoto Castle . I appreciat it very much. It's totally doable. Here are some day trips that you can take from Matsumoto: Following this itinerary for Matsumoto requires you to start out early. I am very glad to hear the review. After you are finished, the waitress will pour hot water into the soy sauce cup for you to drink. MATSUMOTO WITH KIDS - Hokuriku Road Trip with Kids - Best Living Japan Himeji castle was damaged but managed to survive. Guests can choose to stay in rooms with tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding or in rooms with Western-style beds. It took Ieyasu, 12 more years before he could subdue all of the warlords and finally bring peace to Japan. Only a 15 minute walk from Matsumoto train station is Matsumoto Castle, also known as the Crow Castle. Between 1576 and 1615, approximately 100 of these magnificent castles were built around Japan. You can also get there in just five minutes via the colorful Town Sneaker bus. Another castle named Fukashi originally sat near where Matsumoto Castle sits today and was controlled by the Ogasawara family. The second floor has large windows that you can look out onto the castle grounds. He guided us for two days. The ticket covers entrance to the castle along with a visit to the Matsumoto City Museum. By foot: Matsumoto is relatively small with all the main tourist attractions close to one another. the bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, Best Things To Do In Japan - What To Do In The Islands, Japanese Temple Guide Best Traditional Shrines & Temples To Visit In Japan, Tokyo Pictures That Will Make You Want To Visit Japan, Japan Travel Guide Food, Castles, & Temples, James Bond Island Thailand: Phang Nga Bay Tour (Phuket), Tikal Guatemala Ruins: Map & How To Visit Tikal National Park, 15 Best Things To Do In Singapore Airport (Changi Layover), Castle De Haar (Kasteel) Day Trip From Amsterdam Netherlands, Maya Bay Thailand: The Beach Is Open! Filter by : Season . It costs 200 yen to go inside. Admire Masterpieces at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, 7. Those came a few years later. Matsumoto Castle - Matsumoto Travel - japan-guide.com Each well is totally unique and theyre such a charming part of exploring Matsumoto by foot. Japan Railways Shinkansen. Craig R. Yarrawonga, Australia 1,589 contributions. To go inside you will need to take off your shoes and carry them in a bag. From Shinjuku catch a Super Azusa train bound for Matsumoto. We had a lovely tour with Shinya checking out really neat architectural highlights at Omotesando. The castle is painted with black lacquer. Show your bus day pass to get a discount. If you take the Town Sneaker, youll probably get off at Matsumotojo bus stop and enter the grounds through the Taiko-mon Gate (Drum Gate). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". There are three floors: the first floor (ground floor), the basement, and a second floor (first floor). Matsumoto Castle is one of five castles designated as 'National Treasures of Japan' and the oldest five-tiered, six-story castle tower remaining in Japan. As well as Fukashi-no-I, I liked Genchi Well. Matsumoto Castle is located in Nagano City, close to Matsumoto Station and is within easy reach of Tokyo by train. Heading to Japan soon? The tours start at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm and last between 60 and 90 minutes. 1 review Kiso valley and Matsumoto castle tour 9 years ago Save My friends and I are planning a day trip from Tokyo to Matsumoto castle and Kiso Valley region. The hundreds of cherry trees in the area outside the castle moat burst into bloom in April. After Himeji, Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture is surely Japan's most beautiful. Safe and comfortable for the price. Kamikochi Bus Terminal is a 30-minute bus ride from Kamikochi Sawando Car Park, and a 60-minute direct bus ride from Norikura Kogen. This pass lets you ride the bus however many times you want for one day. Most of these castles were simple wooden structures (perhaps more like forts), and if youre familiar with this product, it burns easily and so these castles dont exist anymore. Did I miss anything in my Matsumoto itinerary? There are 4 ways to get from Tokyo (Station) to Matsumoto Castle by train, bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. 5,000 castles built in the mountains all over Japan! This patterned design is called namako-kabe. By shinkansen and limited express train via Nagano. Ieyasu issued a decree limiting each province to just one castle; thus, leading to the destruction of over 400 castles. This is an authentic Samurai fortress with big walls, moats, and towers, and it can be visited on a day trip from Tokyo or other parts of Japan. Backpacks are not a good idea either because the stairs are very steep and narrow. The first few Shoguns were capable rulers, but like in any good family of rulers, the Ashikaga started producing more and more screw-up offspring who didnt have the skills and character to hold the country together. I look forward to seeing you again! Highway buses operate hourly between Tokyo (Shinjuku Bus Terminal) and Matsumoto (Matsumoto Bus Terminal near Matsumoto Station). Then I assume the Ogasawara clan backed the wrong side, and in 1590 Toyotomi Hideyoshi gave the castle to the Ishikawa Kazumasa, whose son eventually rebuilt the castle to what it is today. Towering above the town below this must-see structure is actually Japan's oldest wooden castle! At Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Ive made a few tweaks to my original plan so youre able to do and see more in as little time as possible. They, thus, needed bigger and better castles in locations that made it easier to administer the lands that they controlled. Local products can be purchased at the souvenir shop and free Wi-Fi is available at the public areas. See if you can find the marks of the rope on the main pillar on the fourth floor. Today, however, only 100 remain, of which just 12 are considered original. Located less than 1 km from Matsumoto Station, Minka House offers 1-star accommodation in Matsumoto and features a garden, a restaurant and a bar. We would have never found this amazing store without Shinya. When the area was developed into a street, the frogs were relocated to a nearby river. From Nagano City and Nagoya take the JR Shinano limited express train. This was where the warlord hung out if the castle was being attacked. The black color, of course. You can tour the castle in a number of ways. Recommended Train via Nagano Take the train from Tokyo to Nagano Take the train from Nagano to Matsumoto 2h 50m 7264 - 11675 Cheapest Bus Go beyond Tokyo for a 5-day journey to Mount Fuji, Matsumoto, Obuse, and Nagano prefecture, and photograph Japan's natural splendor including the adorable Snow Monkeys . Japanese Yukata robes and toothbrush set are provided, and the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. The cheapest way to get from Tokyo Disneyland to Matsumoto Castle costs only 4379, and the quickest way takes just 3 hours. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates. Mt. The Super Azusa . Click here to get lots of great tips for traveling around Asia as well as my FREE Japan itinerary guide. If you arent, just adjust the times and add some more sights to the end of the itinerary. Matsumoto Citys Official Travel Website lists all the ways to get to Matsumoto to begin your Matsumoto itinerary. The cheapest option is to take the bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, which takes about 3.5 hours one way and costs 3,800 (~$35). Hideyoshi was actually a pretty good ruler; however, because he came from a peasant family, he could never become Shogun. The walls were super thick, 20-30 centimeters thick and the inside was covered in layers upon layers of mud. Train operators. He has a wonderful personality. Nawate is a lively pedestrian street lined with traditional wooden Japanese-style storefronts, offering a glimpse into the citys rich history. What samurai were supposed to do when their master lost was to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) in which they thrust a sword through their belly. He built a grand seven-story castle (Castle Azuchi) on a hill and along the main highway to Kyoto, thereby controlling who was going to and from Kyoto. Besides the "Town Sneaker" buses, there also exists a regular network of city buses. If the lord of the castle backed the losing side, the lord lost his domain, and as a result, his samurai also lost everything. 5 Hour Nature and History Walking . To make your tour of Matsumoto more meaningful and unforgettable, therere tons of info on Japanese castles and history. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There were around 60,000 masterless samurai wandering around Japan in 1614 after Ieyasu had confiscated their masters lands. JAPAN 2023: Must do EASY Day Trip from TOKYO: Matsumoto Castle & Nagano Since the only kind of fighting that took place was perhaps to put down a peasant rebellion, the towers of the castles became obsolete. I stopped at a caf called Uno Caf and Bar to try a snack that I saw all over Japan called Taiyaki ice cream. Subscribe tomy newsletter to receive the latesttravel tips for Asia and get a free 4-page PDF version of my 3-Week Japan Itinerary. In addition, check out Hyperdia for exact train and bus times for traveling around Japan. Let's stay updated! After a hard day exploring Matsumoto city, youll certainly be tired. Nakamachi Street is part of the old merchant area. Even if youre not interested in looking at a bunch of scales, the building has been well preserved, making it a great place to get a look at what these kura-style buildings are like inside. Traditional multi-course meals are served for dinner and a Japanese/Western buffet for breakfast. Planning a trip to Japan? Full Day Trip to Kamakura, Yokohama, and Tokyo Bay (from Tokyo): Not only does this day tour from Tokyo take you to all the highlights of Kamakura, but you'll also get to have lunch in Yokohama's bustling Chinatown, visit the traditional Japanese-style sunken garden of Sankei-en (including tea rooms! Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping those travelers who want to dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Theres a gift shop and a big courtyard here, with some more nice photo ops looking up at the castle from below. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Guest rooms at Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring include air conditioning and a desk. Shinya is so knowledgeable and fun. In winter, its all about skiing and snowboarding. Unlike European castles, the family didnt actually live in the castle, but instead in a palace on the castle grounds. This itinerary comes from both my extensive research and travels around Matsumoto. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The inn will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The property is non-smoking and is located 47 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum. A 5-minute drive from National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, Ryokan Seifuso is next to Shinshu University and boasts a view of the Northern Alps and the freshness of the Metoba River. The castle is painted with black lacquer. A free shuttle is available from JR Matsumoto Train Station, which is a 20-minute drive away and runs on a fixed schedule. Matsumoto Castle to Tokyo - 5 ways to travel via train, bus, and car Tickets cost 3900 and the journey takes 3h 18m. Please see below for tours that include Matsumoto Castle: 47 trips through Japan. View All Trips. Day trip to Matsumoto Castle - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Let me start by saying that my trip wouldnt have been the same without Shinya. How this style came about was that in 1888, Nakamachi street experienced a terrible fire that resulted in the destruction of many buildings. Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp, 4-4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken. Instead, the real political power in Japan was in the hands of a hereditary military ruler called the Shogun. Save. I am such a fan of the Japanese Alps, so it is always fab to find the best towns around them. It was common for castles to have one huge stone at entrances in order to show how important the castle was to visitors. The more magnificent and larger a castle was, the more people would be impressed by the power of the local lord as well. These other families had to march through his territory or other territories to get to Kyoto. Matsumoto Castle is fabulousand I could really do with a soak in Asama Onsen! Matsumoto Castle is one of the grandest castles in Japan. In the ceiling, there is a rope and white paper that represents the god of 26 nights, which protects the castle. Matsumoto Castle is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Suwa-Lake is 28 km away. Reply. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know: Copyright 1996-2023 japan-guide.com All Rights Reserved. Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna and spa centre. 5 years ago Save Norikura Ski Resort is a 3-minute drive away, and pick-up service to and from the resort is provided every morning. Matsumoto in the Nagano prefecture of Japan has the best of both worlds. #1 of 237 things to do in Matsumoto Points of Interest & Landmarks Castles Scenic Walking Areas Closed now 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By phalanxye " MAGNIFICENT CASTLE " Feb 2020 One of the most beautiful and complete among Japan's original castles and is listed as National Treasure of Japan. Most of the time these castles were used for administrative purposes. Tokyo (Station) to Matsumoto Castle - 4 ways to travel via - Rome2rio Matsumoto looks and sounds like the day trip destination from Japan! After ten years of burning down the capital, the families decided to take their squabbles to their estates in the provinces. Tamanoyu Hotel houses a souvenir shop and drinks vending machines. While he was sipping tea at Gingakuji temple in Kyoto, two powerful military families went to war for 10 years over control of the government, resulting in the burning down of Kyoto. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. If you dont like to walk, theres a great public transportation system that goes to all the attractions. (round trips per a person for you and a guide), Matsumoto Castle Admission Fee: Adult 700 JPY for a person (About 6 USD; 1 USD = 130 JPY). Further down the street, this building design disappears but there are interesting looking lamps over the street. Dont forget these essentials! My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. The sixth floor is the watchtower. Golden Week (first week of May) is also very busy because of the holidays. It's famously photogenic, with a wide moat, vermillion bridges, and original stonework, backdropped by views of the Northern Alps. Grab a Coffee or Lunch Around Nakamachi-dori, 6. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The lord had his home at the foot of the mountain. These are usually located at train stations, and Matsumoto is no exception. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Entry to the outer grounds is free. When I was there, they also had an awesome special exhibit (which I now believe is annual) of local artists over the age of 70 called The Older you Get the Younger you Feel which was actually fascinating and quite enlightening. 6 reviews 3 helpful votes Jigokudani+Matsumoto day trip from Tokyo one day pass? Japan trip Dec 2023 - Japan Forum - Tripadvisor Im not sure what the purpose was. Walk the Nakasendo Way for a Day (or Longer) Asia - Travelling Tokyo-Matsumoto-Takayama in one day - I'd like to see Matsumoto Castle and nothing else in Matsumoto, so I do not want to spend the night there. Guests can have breakfast at an extra cost upon request. The office is open from 9:00 am 5:45 pm. Sorry, but Im going to burst your bubble a little bit here. The country stopped building castles. You can also get a day pass for 500 (US$4.54/3.58/4). After you get done walking around the Matsumoto castle grounds, you can go inside the main keep and climb all the way up to the 6th floor for some good views of the city. Jigokudani+Matsumoto day trip from Tokyo one day pass? However, he lost it when he backed the wrong side against Ieyasu Tokugawa, and the castle and his domain were given to another family. You can get a bus schedule hereand a bus route map here for Matsumoto. One of the museums main focuses is on the work of local artists from Nagano Prefecture. The property is non-smoking and is situated 3.9 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum. You can also use it to get discounts on places around town including the castle. I went in January and the lake was partly iced over, but I had the whole castle mostly to myself. He did a great job of tailoring the tour to my teens interests. The Alps Language Service Association offers free tours of the castle. It was built in the sixteenth century. Its also a fab destination to visit in winter as many travellers unfortunately dont leave the ski resorts. Here you can watch the swans swim around the castle moat; and stand by the water's edge to witness the carp team to the surface. If youre following my three weeks in Japan itinerary, Matsumoto is day 12. You no longer need to book a tour package or purchase your airline tickets through a travel agency. If you start out at 8:30 or 9:00 am, you should be able to finish touring the castle by 12:00 pm. One of his generals, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, took over and unified all of Japan by 1590. 2 replies. You can enjoy strolling around the city, especially, Nawate Street and Nakamichi Street. Japan Railways Limited Express operates a train from Matsumoto to Shinjuku every 2 hours. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-thebambootraveler_com-box-4-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thebambootraveler_com-box-4','ezslot_20',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thebambootraveler_com-box-4-0'); However, starting in the 1100s, Japans emperor became a figurehead. I am very glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the "Akihabara Walking Tour". You can tell he really loves what he does, our itinerary was well planned, and flexible on timing and switching activities based on the weather. Matsumoto is super easy to get around, making your Matsumoto itinerary a snap! Transportaion fee (about 100 USD for a person; you and a guide), Admission fee of Matsumoto Castle (700 JPY; about 5 USD; you and a guide). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As their alliances grew, they became more powerful, so they started controlling more territory and people. Matsumoto also had around 10 castles in the mountains surrounding the city. Whether its through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, Ill help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the worlds most fascinating places. Once youve completed your tour of the castle, you can walk around the castle grounds. Activities available around the area include out-of-area skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing near a waterfall, hiking, cycling and fishing. At the guest house, rooms include a patio. Entry to the main exhibits costs around 900, but special exhibits cost a little more. Guests at Kamikochi Nishi-itoya Mountain lodge can enjoy an ? National Treasure. Alternatively, Alpico Group operates a bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Matsumoto Bus Terminal hourly. In the summer, locals and tourists flock to hike and do water sports. Hello Gilbert, tnank you so much for your nice review for me! It is estimated that once there were 5,000 castles in Japan. This is the last stop on your Matsumoto itinerary. Turn left onto Nawate Street. The grounds come alive with blossom viewing parties, especially stunning at night when the trees are illuminated. Matsumoto Castle is 1.4 km from the hotel, while Suwa-Lake is 30 km from the property. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Please see this website'sDisclosure for more info. Shinya was very knowledgeable about everything on our tour. How to Spend a Matsumoto Day Trip | Travelling Tam So, please keep in touch. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Some of the best photo spots are actually on the outside of the castle moat, before you even pay the entrance fee. For the current requirements, check out the following websites: Click on the link to jump to each section.