Matsumoto

Things to do in Matsumoto

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Matsumoto

View all Attractions
Matsumoto Castle
No. 15 of Best Things to Do in Kōshin'etsu region

Matsumoto Castle

4.8
4.8/5
169 reviews
The predecessor of Matsumoto Castle was Fukashi Castle. At the beginning of the Muromachi period, Ogasawara Sadamune, a retainer of the Ashikaga Takahashi clan, was entrusted with the guardianship of Shinano, and the castle was built. In the 17th year of Tenten (1548), when Takeda Shingen of Kohi defeated Ogasawara Chang of Forest City, this place was used as a base for advancing from Higashi Shinano to Kitashinano. The scale of Shenzhi City gradually expanded. During this period, Kiso Yoshimao, Ogasawara Zhenzhong, Ogasawara Zhenqing, and Ogasawara Hidezheng served as the city lords of Shenzhi City respectively. After the fall of the Takeda clan, Ogasawara Masaki, who inherited his father's land, changed the name of Fukashi Castle to Matsumoto Castle. In the 18th year of Tensho (1590), Toyotomi Hideyoshi destroyed the Hojo clan in Odawara, entered Kanto, and transferred the city to Ishikawa. After that, Toyotomi received a salary of 80,000 stone and began to build a five-story and six-tiered tower. It was not until the era of Kang Chang, the son of Shuzheng, that it was finally completed (that is, the prototype of the existing Songyuan Castle). The Tsukimi and Tatsumi turrets used in the castle were built in the early Edo period. After that, he went through the Ogasawara clan, the Toda Matsudaira clan, the Horita clan, and the Mizuno clan. Matsumoto Castle is a typical flat city. The castles of Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru are roughly square. The tower is set in the southwest of Honmaru, surrounded by the concave Ninomaru lacking the north, and surrounded by the square Sannomaru on the outside.Matsumoto · 292m from downtown

Traveler favorites curated for you

Experiences you can't miss in Matsumoto

Featured Day tours in Matsumoto

View all Day tours
Kamikōchi Hiking 1-Day Tour|Azusa River Hidden Gem: Myojin Pond Mountain Pilgrimage [Round-trip from Nagoya]
󱌍
4.8/5
· 72 reviews· 1.2k booked
Duration: 10.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
97.2% of travelers recommend
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$38.95$41.01
Hiking in the hidden alpine paradise of Kamikochi | Kappabashi Bridge & Taisho Ike Pond | Round-trip from Nagoya
󱌍
4.9/5
· 90 reviews· 1.9k booked
Duration: 10.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
22 consecutive positive reviews
From$48.82
1-day tour of Kamikochi + Kappa Bridge + Kamishirochi + Taisho Pond in Nagoya, Japan
󱌍
4.4/5
· 12 reviews· 250 booked
Duration: 7 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
108 travelers saved
10% off
Limited-time sale
From$41.83$46.48
Seasonal exclusive: Nagoya Kamikōchi 1-day tour (Myojin Pond & Kappabashi Bridge & Taisho Ike Pond)
Trip.Select
󱌍
4.8/5
· 40 reviews· 379 booked
Duration: 10.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
31 consecutive positive reviews
10% off
Limited-time sale
From$44.19$49.11
Japan Nagano Alpine Route + Kamikōchi Taisho Ike Pond Kappabashi Bridge stroll + photography 1-day tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review· 76 booked
Duration: 11 hrs
English
Free cancellation
96 travelers saved
10% off
Limited-time sale
From$51.84$57.6

Featured Culture & history in Matsumoto

View all Culture & history
Matsumoto Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Artistic Spirits
󱌍
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
20% off
Limited-time sale
From$5.83$7.29
Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
󱌍
5.0/5
· 67 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
67 consecutive positive reviews
From$88.54
Matsumoto: Samurai Experience with Sword and Archery
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From$100.35
Matsumoto Discovery - Half Day Walking Tour
󱌍
4.9/5
· 35 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
22 consecutive positive reviews
From$63.33
Matsumoto Castle, Sake & Local Bites Walking Tour
󱌍
From$124.97
Matsumoto Castle Tour & Soba Noodle Making Workshop
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From$90.26
Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
󱌍
4.9/5
· 85 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
85 consecutive positive reviews
From$86.60
Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour
󱌍
4.9/5
· 46 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
41 consecutive positive reviews
From$61.95

Featured Food & drink in Matsumoto

View all Food & drink
Matsumoto Castle, Sake & Local Bites Walking Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
From$142.18
Food & Culture Walk in Nagano: Oyaki, Sake, Matcha & Zenkoji
󱌍
4.9/5
· 52 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
52 consecutive positive reviews
From$89.40
Nagano Snow Monkey & Sukiyaki Day Tour | Guaranteed Departure
Trip.Select
󱌍
4.7/5
· 405 reviews· 106 booked
Duration: 11.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
94.3% of travelers recommend
From$144.98

Featured Spa & wellness in Matsumoto

View all Spa & wellness
Green Season Snow Monkeys: Baby Monkeys & Scenic Forest Walk
󱌍
From$89.83
Nagano: Snow Monkey Park, Soba Lunch, and Shibu Onsen Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From$126.22
Departing from Nagoya | Bokka no Sato snow park fun + hot spring 1-day tour
󱌍
10% off
Limited-time sale
From$82.40$91.56

More things to do

Private Tours in Matsumoto

View More Private Tours in Matsumoto

Group Tours in Matsumoto

View More Group Tours in Matsumoto
Matsumoto Today's weatherPartly cloudy 9-22℃
Matsumoto weather for the next 2 days11/6: 2-21℃, 11/7: -1-14℃

Free things to do in Matsumoto

What travelers say about Matsumoto

user-avatar
_TI***e3April 17, 2025
5.0
Very beautiful castle, especially with cherry blossom trees in full bloom

Matsumoto Castle

user-avatar
翱翔的大鲨鱼August 18, 2020
4.0
Of course, you have to come to Japan to play in the snow in winter! This ski resort has very advanced equipment. The management is also very good. The division of labor between each area is clear. The facilities are very user-friendly, making tourists feel very comfortable and happy.

Mt. Norikura Snow Resort

user-avatar
小月亮弯弯January 27, 2018
5.0
White Bone Hot Spring lived up to my expectations! Very good hot spring service and great service. The person in charge of the reception was a middle-aged female general whose hometown is in Shikoku. She was great hahaha

Shirahone Onsen

user-avatar
_TX***umAugust 28, 2023
4.0
Timeless beauty preserved. Matsumoto Castle Park's architecture and ambiance immerse visitors in Japan's rich history

Matsumoto Castle Park

user-avatar
BossMan187January 4, 2025
5.0
Most beautiful valleys and rivers in Japan. I travelled many countries but this was amazing in all aspects. Superb experience. You can do it in one day but better to sleep over 1 night if hotels nearby available. I went with a bus from Nagoya a 3hrs journey 1 way.

Kamikōchi

user-avatar
かあるMay 12, 2023
5.0
Matsumoto City Museum of Art has an exhibition of Yayoi Kusama. Since it is a permanent exhibition, the admission fee is reasonable (410 yen in May 2023). There are polka dot motif objects and a permanent world view art exhibit using mirrors, which is very interesting. Highly recommended.

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

user-avatar
大海家的女汉子November 4, 2022
5.0
The surface of Taisho Pond reflects Mt. Hotakogen, and the calm water is a sight to behold. The "standing dead tree" in the pond creates a wonderful sight depending on the season and time of day.

Taisho Ike Pond

user-avatar
TodemmyMay 21, 2021
5.0
[Scenery] It is considered as part of the entire scenic area of ​​Taisho Pond. It is a great scenery. It is very beautiful to take pictures when the sun is bright. It is full of the feeling of wildness in the fields. [Fun] The greenery is very good, suitable for outings and tourism. I recommend this place

Kappabashi Bridge

Trip Moments in Matsumoto

Popular cities near Matsumoto

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Matsumoto?

Don't miss these attractions in Matsumoto: Matsumoto Castle, Mt. Norikura Snow Resort, and Shirahone Onsen. If you like Day tours, try Kamikōchi Hiking 1-Day Tour|Azusa River Hidden Gem: Myojin Pond Mountain Pilgrimage [Round-trip from Nagoya]. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Matsumoto Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Artistic Spirits.

You can give [Matsumoto Samurai] Sword fight performance, experience & premium Japanese cuisine package and Matsumoto Castle, Sake & Local Bites Walking Tour a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Kamikōchi Hiking 1-Day Tour|Azusa River Hidden Gem: Myojin Pond Mountain Pilgrimage [Round-trip from Nagoya], Hiking in the hidden alpine paradise of Kamikochi | Kappabashi Bridge & Taisho Ike Pond | Round-trip from Nagoya, and 1-day tour of Kamikochi + Kappa Bridge + Kamishirochi + Taisho Pond in Nagoya, Japan. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 5, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Matsumoto is around USD 38.95 – USD 209.74. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.