The City of Matsumoto, located roughly in the center of the Nagano Prefecture, has long served as a bustling trading post-town, being the former thoroughfares between Kyoto [the ancient capital] and Edo [Tokyo today] converge. Matsumoto is also the gateway to Kamikochi [one of the most popular highland resorts in Japan], Matsumoto Castle (oldest existing castle tower in Japan and the symbol of the city), and Utsukushigahara Plateau (the largest plateau in Japan, stretching to the east of the city), with a panoramic view of the Northern and Southern Japan Alps and the Southern Yatsugatake Volcanic Group and Mt. Asama.
During the Edo Era (1600-1868), the city of Matsumoto channeled considerable resources into education and is said to have had the largest number of terakoya [temple-based educational centers] in the region [formerly known as Shinano Province]. During the Meiji Era (1868-1912), Kaichi School was built, adopting a mysterious architectural style that was neither entirely Western nor entirely Japanese. The school symbolizes the Era of Civilization and enlightenment of Japan. The style is characterized by the grand balcony of a queer fusion East-meets-West elements, and an octagonal tower with a tiled roof resembling that of a temple in the center, and sculptures of angels perched above clouds and dragons. The building was designated a National Treasure in 2019.

by Plane

Shinshu Matsumoto Airport → Matsumoto Bus Terminal (about 30 minutes by airport shuttle / about 40 minutes by local bus) → JR Matsumoto Station

by Train

JR Nagoya Station → JR Matsumoto Station (about 2.5 hours by Limited Express Shinano)
JR Tokyo Station → JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) → transfer at Nagano Station →JR Matsumoto Station (Limited Express Shinano) [total of about 3 hours]

Points of Interest

Matsumoto City has numbers of places to see, including the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, historically significant buildings of the former Kaichi School and former Matsumoto High School, and the Matsumoto City Museum of Art where the works of Kusama Yayoi, a world-renowned artist born in Matsumoto City are exhibited, and more.

Matsumoto Castle / 松本城 (Nagano)

• Matsumoto
• Nagano
• Castles
• Historical Sites
• Cherry Blossoms

Matsumoto Castle is Japan's oldest five-tiered castle with a six-story keep, and one of only 12 castles in the country with a keep that dates back pre-Edo Period (1600/1603-1868). Currently, only two ...

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Kamikochi / 上高地 (Nagano)

• Matsumoto
• Nagano
• Onsen
• Skiing and Snowboarding
• Beautiful Places
• National Parks
• Mountaineering & Hiking

Kamikochi is located in the west of Nagano Prefecture, on the border with Gifu Prefecture, at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. Although 1.2 million people visit every year, Kamikochi retains much of...

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