It ought to come as no shock that I continuously attempt to enhance my Matsumoto itinerary. In spite of everything, I return to this charming metropolis within the Japanese Alps as typically as I can, each to soak up its memorable (if restricted) points of interest, and to go to the big range of locations inside day-trip distance of it.
Certainly, what separates the information I’m about to share from an peculiar Matsumoto weblog you may discover elsewhere on-line is my expertise—and my experience. I’ve adopted each single piece of recommendation I’m supplying you with; I’ve taken each route I like to recommend, most of them greater than as soon as. Actually, I understand how many days in Matsumoto you must have to finish up with a tremendous journey.
Whether or not you’ve arrived right here on the lookout for day journeys from Matsumoto, or just wish to know why it is best to go to the Japanese Alps within the first place, permit me to warmly welcome you: Matsumoto begins right here.
The place to Keep in Matsumoto
On condition that Matsumoto is as a lot a base for locating the Japanese Alps as it’s a vacation spot in and of itself, it’s important that you just discover a snug and handy place to remain. I’ll handle the consolation in a second, however so far as comfort, there are actually two methods to method this. Some vacationers will desire to be nearer to Matsumoto Fortress whereas for others, proximity to Matsumoto’s prepare and bus stations will probably be paramount.
Regardless of the way you construction different components of your Matsumoto itinerary, I’ve two foremost suggestions about the place to remain. If being close to the Fortress is your precedence, select Matsumoto Lodge Kagetsu, a four-star property with an excellent breakfast served in a colourful and character-filled parlor. Lodge Iroha Grand, in the meantime, is model new and can also be actually simply steps from each of Matsumoto’s transportation hubs.
Easy methods to Set up Your Matsumoto Itinerary
Spend a while at Matsumoto Fortress
This wouldn’t be a Matsumoto journey weblog if I didn’t describe issues to do in Matsumoto-proper. Not surprisingly, the most well-liked attraction in Matsumoto metropolis is Matsumoto Fortress. Situated a couple of 15-minute stroll northeast of Matsumoto Station, that is considered one of Japan’s 12 remaining authentic castles and is notable for its black coloration, which has earned it the nickname “Crow Fortress.” Matsumoto Fortress was inbuilt 1594, through the Sengoku interval. Regardless of what number of days in Matsumoto you find yourself spending, you completely have to come back right here!
Stroll the Nakasendo Approach for a day (or longer)
In the case of Matsumoto day journeys, considered one of my favorites is to go to any of the small cities alongside the Nakasendo Approach, which was a buying and selling route between Kyoto and Edo (now Toko) throughout historical instances. My favourite manner to do that is to journey an area prepare from Matsumoto to Nagiso, which is the station nearest to the city of Tsumago. From right here you may proceed on to Kiso-Fukushima and Narai, optionally climbing via the Kiso Valley and/or Torii Cross en route.
Discover tranquility within the Kamikochi Valley
A technique so as to add much more pure magnificence to your Matsumoto itinerary, at the very least assuming that you just plan to journey between about mid-April to mid-November, is the Kamikochi Valley. Direct buses (operated by the non-public Nohi and Alpico bus corporations) run from Matsumoto Bus Terminal to varied locations within the Valley, together with the customer’s middle (close to Kappabashi bridge) in addition to to colourful Taisho Pond and rustic Naka-no-Yu ryokan.
TIP: If you wish to take a Japanese Alpine hike that’s not so tranquil, think about making the marginally longer journey to the Senjojiki Cirque within the so-called Chuo Alps.
Go to Japan’s well-known “snow monkeys”
I’ll get to the bigger Matsumoto vs Nagano in only a second, however one state of affairs the place Nagano may win out is on the subject of the snow monkeys of Jigokudani. It is because you must first take a prepare or bus from Matsumoto to Nagano, after which catch a non-public “Snow Monkey” Bus to the beginning of the path head. Both manner, it is a particular must-visit from Matsumoto, particularly when you journey between November-March when snow is on the bottom.
Proceed onward to Takayama (and, perhaps, Shirakawa-go)
A closing choice for a day journey from Matsumoto is a really lengthy one—doubtlessly an especially lengthy one, which is why I like to recommend staying in a single day when you can. The round-trip bus journey between Matsumoto and the picturesque city of Hida-takayama (or just “Takayama“) is 5 hours or a bit longer. Maintaining in thoughts that you just want a minimal of 3-4 hours in Takayama, that is already an all-day ordeal. Nonetheless, daring vacationers could wish to proceed on to Shirakawa-go, and perhaps even head again to Matsumoto the identical day. Your alternative!
How Many Days Do You Want in Matsumoto?
There’s no one-right-way to assemble a Matsumoto itinerary—and no appropriate variety of days to spend right here. To be frank, if we’re merely speaking about how lengthy to spend in Matsumoto correct, sooner or later is probably going sufficient, conserving in thoughts that Matsumoto itself is the one actual attraction to see. Another period of time is de facto overkill, assuming you intend to take completely no day journeys.
After all, that is virtually actually not the case, when you’ve arrived right here. Consequently, I’d say what number of days to spend in Matsumoto is the same as one, plus nevertheless many day journeys you intend to take. For instance, if you wish to see the snow monkeys and stroll the Nakasendo Approach, you’ll wish to keep a minimal of three nights in Matsumoto (assuming you don’t keep someplace alongside the Nakasendo, which you may very properly do). Regardless of what number of days in Matsumoto you spend, nevertheless, I do suppose the recommendation I’ve offered right here will profit you.
Matsumoto or Nagano?
There’s some debate on-line as as to if Nagano or Matsumoto makes for one of the best base within the Japanese Alps—I believe you recognize the place I stand on this. With that being stated, I do discover Nagano metropolis itself utterly charming. Whether or not strolling up the lengthy slop from the station to Zenko-ji, or consuming soba noodles spiced up with domestically grown wasabi, Nagano is a superbly fantastic vacation spot, each to go to and to name dwelling for a day or two.
I imply, you possibly can simply take a Matsumoto day journey from Nagano, from which the snow monkeys of Jigokudani are additionally reachable as a day tour. The place Nagano turns into problematic as a base is if you wish to go to locations to the west of Matsumoto, such because the Nakasendo Approach and Kamikochi Valley. Having first to journey to Matsumoto after which proceed onward could make for a really lengthy “day” journey certainly!
Different FAQ About Your Matsumoto Itinerary
Why is Matsumoto well-known?
Matsumoto is known primarily for Matsumoto Fortress, whose black exterior makes this distinctive “crow citadel” some of the celebrated fortresses in Japan. It’s additionally well-known for its proximity to the Kamikochi Valley nature space, and to the Nakasendo Approach.
Is Matsumoto Fortress in Tokyo?
Matsumoto Fortress isn’t in Tokyo, however you may see it on a day journey from Tokyo to Matsumoto. Experience the Hokuriku or Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano, then take a bus or prepare onward to Matsumoto. From Matsumoto Station, the citadel is simply quarter-hour on foot.
How previous is Matsumoto Fortress?
Matsumoto Fortress is 517 years previous as of 2021, having been inbuilt 1504. Observe that whereas the unique tenshu (or maintain) dates again to this time, many components of Matsumoto-jo you at present see on web site have been constructed or restored a lot, a lot sooner than this.
The Backside Line
I hope you’ve discovered my Matsumoto itinerary useful, no matter why you’re looking for one. For many vacationers, Matsumoto serves as a base to discover the Japanese Alps, whether or not you head east to Nagano and the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, or westward towards the Kamikochi Valley, the Nakasendo Approach and even charming cities like Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Usually, you’ll wish to improve what number of days you keep in Matsumoto by one for every single day journey you intend to take. Nonetheless stumped about arrange your journey to Japan? Fee a customized Japan itinerary as we speak!