Matsumoto is one of Central Japan’s most historic and rewarding cities, with plenty of accommodation to choose from in and around the city including multiple hot spring towns located nearby. On this page you will find the following information:
Located in the shadow of the North Japan Alps, Matsumoto is a small historic city best-known for its castle. As a registered National Treasure, Matsumoto Castle is without doubt the beacon that draws visitors to the city but once here, you’ll discover a lovely little town with plenty to keep you entertained for a day or two. Once a wealthy merchant town, the people of Matsumoto are proud of their city's heritage and have actively tried to retain much of its historic character. Local intervention saved the now iconic castle from demolition while serving to also retain much of the historic Nawate-Dori and Nakamachi precincts; former merchant areas that now house many shops selling Matsumoto's heralded 'mingei' (folkcraft) and furniture. From that heritage, a thriving and youthful city has developed with Matsumoto now boasting many great boutique shops, cafes, museums, galleries and restaurants.
This page is intended to be read in combination with our ’25 Things to Do Around Matsumoto’ page. We hope the information on these pages helps you plan your visit and find the best hotels in Matsumoto.
Where to Stay in Matsumoto?
Visitors to Matsumoto have a good range of accommodation to choose from both in the city and other nearby destinations. In this section we provide information about accommodation in the following areas:
MATSUMOTO: MATSUMOTO CITY AREA – MATSUMOTO: ASAMA ONSEN AREA -- AZUMINO / HOTAKA ONSEN-KYO AREA – SHIRAHONE ONSEN AREA – NORIKURA KOGEN AREA – KAMIKOCHI AREA – NAGANO CITY AREA – SUWA AREA
Most options within the city are mid-sized / mid-range business hotels while in the surrounding areas you have some excellent options including traditional hot spring guesthouses. Let’s begin by looking at the most convenient option:
MATSUMOTO: MATSUMOTO CITY AREA
While Matsumoto is the second largest city in Nagano Prefecture, it is in itself small – a great city to explore on-foot or by bicycle. Most accommodation in the city is located to the east of Matsumoto Station, between the station and toward the castle. Accommodation is mostly mid-sized / mid-range business and other Western-style hotels, with some smaller guesthouses and a couple of high-end options. Most hotels and guesthouses are within 10 to 20 minutes walk of the station and castle making it easy to choose where to stay. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Matsumoto: Matsumoto City Area’ hotel page.
MATSUMOTO: ASAMA ONSEN AREA
The hot spring district of Asama Onsen sits around 6KM to the north of central Matsumoto City – around 25 minutes by bus or 15 minutes by taxi. Asama Onsen is one of Nagano’s most abundant hot spring areas, blessed with seven major water sources flowing out of the ground around 50°C. Accommodation ranges from high-end hotels to smaller, mid-range to budget guesthouses. As a traditional ‘onsen’ (hot spring) town, many hotels and guesthouses include Japanese-style rooms with on-floor ‘futon’-bedding and service traditional ‘kaiseki’ (multi-course) menus and in-house hot springs. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Matsumoto: Asama Onsen Area’ hotel page.
AZUMINO / HOTAKA ONSEN-KYO AREA
Located in the rural enclave of Azumino, Hotaka Onsen-kyo lies around 15KM to the north of Matsumoto City. Another traditional ‘onsen’ area, accommodation in this area is mostly limited to traditional guesthouses with their own hot springs. There are some excellent options in the area, including high-end ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), most of which are within easy reach of nearby Hotaka Station. It takes a little extra effort to get there, but guests who do make the journey to Hotaka Onsen-kyo can really unwind and indulge in the shadows of the North Alps. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Hotaka Onsen-kyo’ hotel page.
SHIRAHONE ONSEN AREA
Moving further away from Matsumoto, Shirahone Onsen is yet another renowned hot spring area sitting high in the North Alps, around 40KM / 60-minutes drive from the city. Located nearby Norikura Kogen – a popular hiking destination from late-spring to autumn – Shirahone Onsen is a good option for travellers moving through the area on their way to Norikura, Kamikochi, Takayama or Matsumoto. For visitors only wanting to spend time in Matsumoto City, staying in Shirahone Onsen won’t suit your plans however if you want to spend a couple of days exploring the area, it’s a great option. Accommodation is limited to ‘onsen’ hotels and guesthouse ranging from basic to high-end. Most popular in summer and autumn, try to avoid weekends and holidays when prices can be very high. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Shirahone Onsen Area’ hotel page.
NORIKURA KOGEN AREA
Around 20-minutes drive from Shirahone Onsen – and around 70-minutes from Matsumoto City – Norikura Kogen is one of Central Japan’s most popular hiking destinations. Rising to over 3000 metres above sea level, this is a beautiful mountain that can be hiked by anyone of reasonable fitness, making it a popular destination through summer and autumn while in winter, a small ski resort draws a devoted group of mostly skiers and the odd snowboarder. Most accommodation in the area are family-run lodges and guesthouses offering a warm welcome. Much like accommodation in and around Shirahone, staying in Norikura isn’t suited to those only planning to explore Matsumoto City and prices can be steep on weekends and holidays so try to avoid those times. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Norikura Kogen Area’ hotel page.
KAMIKOCHI AREA
Located west of Matsumoto, Kamikochi is one of the most celebrated destinations in the Northern Japan Alps. Travelling from Matsumoto generally takes around 1.5 to 2 hours by public transport, usually involving a train to Shin-Shimashima followed by a bus into the valley.
Public transport operates from 17 April until 15 November. Some hotels, restaurants and other facilities open later in April or close before the end of the season. Summer, particularly the August holiday period, and the autumn foliage season are the busiest times to visit.
Kamikochi offers accommodation ranging from mountain lodges and campsites to high-end hotels. Rooms are limited and often sell out well in advance, particularly during weekends and autumn. For accommodation listings, see our Kamikochi Area hotel page.
If accommodation inside the valley is unavailable or too expensive, Hirayu Onsen is a convenient alternative. Buses travel from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi in approximately 25 minutes, while the town offers a wider range of traditional ryokan, hot spring hotels and more affordable accommodation.
NAGANO CITY AREA
Only 50 minutes from Matsumoto using the Limited Express ‘Shinano’ service, Nagano is the largest city in the region and an excellent base from where to visit Matsumoto and other regional destinations as a day-trip. The area immediately around Nagano Station has plenty of large hotels catering to international visitors. Prices are typically good with many hotels offering Western-style rooms and amenities, in-house restaurants and English-speaking staff. Around 15 to 20-minutes walk from the station, the area around Zenko-ji Temple has smaller guesthouses including many ‘shukubo’ (temple lodgings) in the surrounding streets. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Nagano City Area’ hotel page.
SUWA AREA
The Suwa region, located roughly in the center of Nagano prefecture, is an adventurer’s paradise. Suwa is known for Lake Suwa, majestic mountains, hot springs, sake, legendary shrines, museums, and much more. Nonetheless, the area is still one that few tourists know, so it is an excellent destination to discover Japanese nature and rural life.
25 Things to do Around Matsumoto
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. Once in Matsumoto, visitors discover a historic and pleasant city with a thriving folk craft, art and dining scene. So while it’s castle that might attract people to visit, it’s everything else that the city has to offer that makes them want to stay. Our ’25 Things to Do Around Matsumoto’ page has lots of great tips and suggestions of things to do, including links to accommodation listings, in and around Matsumoto.
How to Get To Matsumoto
Matsumoto Station is located in the center of the city, within 30-minutes walk of almost all popular attractions. Serviced by the Limited Express ‘Azusa’ service running to Shinjuku Station in Tokyo and the Limited Express ‘Shinano’ service running to Nagano and Nagoya, Matsumoto is easy to reach using the rail network. For more information, see our ‘How To Get To Matsumoto’ page.
Tours and Charters around Matsumoto
Based in Central Japan and offering a number of tours in both this region and farther flung areas, we are pleased to be able to offer a variety of tours departing from Matsumoto. With culture, natural beauty, and adventure at your fingertips, this is a great place to escape the cities and embrace the wild side.
Best Selling
1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle
- Spots:
- NaganoMatsumotoKamikochi
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
Operating from April through November, we offer a highly entertaining group-tour of Matsumoto and Kamikochi that is sure to please. All tours are led by locally-based guides and combine a visit to several places-of-interest in Matsumoto with a hike in the breathtaking Kamikochi valley. Our tours are fun, interactive and family-friendly. For more information, or to book a tour, click on the banner above.
Recommended
[START FROM NAGANO/MATSUMOTO] Private Kamikochi Tour
- Spots:
- NaganoMatsumotoKamikochi
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityMatsumoto
Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Matsumoto/Kamikochi area, and other regional destinations. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going.
For a little more adventure, this rafting tour from Matsumoto will bring you down to the southern regions of Nagano and the Tenryu River, one of the best areas in Japan for rafting. With a morning of fruit picking, a popular activity in the famous agricultural region of southern Nagano, you will have a full day of hands on activities lined up if you choose to take this tour.
We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more! Please look HERE for more info on private charters and pricing.
Got a question about visiting Matsumoto or Kamikochi? Click the ‘INQUIRY’ button below and let’s get planning together!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Area to Stay in Matsumoto?
For most first-time visitors, central Matsumoto is the most convenient choice. Staying between Matsumoto Station and Matsumoto Castle provides easy access to trains, buses, restaurants and the city’s main attractions. See our Matsumoto City Area hotel page for accommodation options.
Should I Stay Near Matsumoto Station or Matsumoto Castle?
The station is best for travellers taking early trains, buses or day trips, while the castle area provides easier access to Matsumoto Castle, Nawate Street and Nakamachi. The two areas are only around 15 to 20 minutes apart on foot, so hotels located between them offer the best of both.
How Many Nights Should I Stay in Matsumoto?
One night is enough to visit Matsumoto Castle and explore the central city. Two or more nights are recommended if you want to visit nearby destinations such as Kamikochi, Azumino, Norikura Kogen or the Kiso Valley. Our guide to the 25 Things to Do Around Matsumoto can help you plan a longer stay.
Where Should I Stay for a Traditional Onsen Experience?
Asama Onsen is one of the most convenient hot spring areas near central Matsumoto. Located approximately 20 to 30 minutes from the city by bus or taxi, it offers traditional ryokan, Japanese-style rooms, hot spring baths and kaiseki dining.
Hotaka Onsen-kyo, Shirahone Onsen and Norikura Kogen are quieter alternatives for travellers prioritising mountain scenery and hot springs over access to the city centre.
Do I Need a Car When Staying in Matsumoto?
No. Matsumoto Station, Matsumoto Castle, Nawate Street, Nakamachi and many restaurants are accessible on foot or by local bus. Public transport also connects Matsumoto with several nearby destinations. A car can be useful when visiting rural accommodation or multiple mountain areas, but it is not necessary for an ordinary city stay.
Is Matsumoto a Good Base for Visiting Kamikochi?
Yes. Kamikochi can be visited as a day trip from Matsumoto during its operating season. The journey generally takes around 1.5 to 2 hours each way by public transport, so an early start is recommended.
Is It Better to Stay in Matsumoto or Kamikochi?
Stay in Matsumoto if you want a wider selection of hotels, restaurants and transport connections. Staying inside Kamikochi provides earlier access to the walking trails and a quieter atmosphere after day visitors leave, but accommodation is seasonal, limited and often expensive.
Visitors planning an overnight stay in the valley can compare options on our Kamikochi Area hotel page.
When Should I Book Accommodation in Matsumoto?
Booking ahead is recommended during Golden Week, the summer holiday period, autumn weekends and major local events. Accommodation in Kamikochi and the surrounding hot spring areas should be reserved particularly early because the number of rooms is limited.
How Do I Get to Matsumoto?
Matsumoto is accessible by limited express train from Tokyo, Nagano and Nagoya, with bus connections also available from destinations including Takayama. See our complete How to Get to Matsumoto guide for detailed routes and transport information.