1-Day Tour from Hakuba: Matsumoto Castle, Soba Making, Art & Sake

Discover Matsumoto, a historic castle town known not only for its original wooden castle, a National Treasure, but also for its local “soba” (buckwheat noodle) production, “sake” breweries, and artistic culture. Just 1.5 hours away from the ski resorts in Hakuba, this tour is the perfect option for guests who want to take a break from skiing for a day or experience some of Japan’s rich culture on their way to or from the ski resorts.

Starting from four areas in Hakuba (Tsugaike, Wadano, Happo, and Echoland), this tour will bring guests to Matsumoto City to experience the rich culture that Central Japan has to offer. First you will get a hands-on experience of making "soba" buckwheat noodles, then get to enjoy those noodles for your lunch! Next, you will visit the historic 400-year-old Matsumoto Castle and climb to the top, while learning about its history from your guide. Then, visit Matsumoto City Museum of Art, famous for its collection of Yayoi Kusama's artwork, a world-renowned and Matsumoto-born artist. Lastly, taste the local specialties at a sake brewery, before heading back to Hakuba to end the day.

Highlights

• Learn how to make Japanese soba noodles hands-on, then eat them for your lunch!
• Explore Matsumoto Castle while learning about its 400-year history, and see what life was like in Edo-Period Japan
• Visit Matsumoto City Museum of Art and discover the work of the world-famous, Matsumoto-born artist Yayoi Kusama
• Try traditional Japanese "sake" at a local brewery
• Begin and end the day in Hakuba, with seamless transportation to and from Matsumoto

Description

Pick-up in Hakuba

This tour begins and ends in Hakuba, making it the perfect day trip from the ski resorts. If you or your group needs a break from skiing/snowboarding, or if the weather is bad one day during your trip, this is a great option to make the most of your time in Japan and experience the local culture.

Join the tour from one of four areas in Hakuba:

• Tsugaike at 7:40am
• Wadano at 8:00am
• Happo at 8:15am
• Echoland at 8:30am

Once you have met up with your guide, board the bus and enjoy the scenic 1.5-hour drive to Matsumoto!

Soba-Making Experience

You will start the day with a hands-on experience of making "soba" or Japanese buckwheat noodles. Nagano prefecture is famous for its soba quality, due to the high elevation and volcanic soil that make it the perfect environment to grow buckwheat. You will learn how to make the noodles from scratch, with only 3 ingredients: buckwheat flour, wheat flour, and water. The soba chef will explain each step of the process, from mixing the ingredients to kneading the dough to cutting the noodles. Your guide will be there to help as well!

After making your own soba noodles with the instruction of a soba chef, you will enjoy them as your well-deserved lunch!

Matsumoto Castle

Next, your guide will take you on a tour of the historic Matsumoto Castle. This 400-year-old wooden castle is one of the oldest preserved castles in the country, and one of only five castles in Japan to be designated a National Treasure. The six-story castle is surrounded by two moats, painted with black lacquer, and sits before a beautiful backdrop of the Northern Japan Alps, making for one of the most stunning and iconic scenes of historical Japan.

After exploring the castle grounds, you will head inside the castle with your guide and climb to the top while learning about Japan's Warring States Period and Edo Period. Inside the castle, you will see a gun museum with original muskets and other Edo-period weaponry, as well as original samurai armor and other artifacts from the castle's long history. Feel as though you have been transported to the past as you explore this cultural treasure.

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

After learning about Matsumoto's historic past at the castle, take a step into its contemporary history at this must-see art museum. The museum features a permanent exhibit of work by world-renowned artist Yayoi Kusama, who was born and raised in Matsumoto. Kusama is most famous for her larger-than-life yellow pumpkin sculptures with polka-dot patterns, several of which have been displayed across the globe, as well as her “Infinity Rooms,” which use mirrors to create infinite spaces of light and pattern. Born in 1929 and passing away in August 2026, Kusama experienced both pre-war and post-war Japan. While her work reflects her unique lived experience and the visual hallucinations she experienced throughout her life, it is also a product of the ever-changing world she lived through.

In addition to featuring Kusama, the museum also houses the work of several other contemporary artists, and hosts changing exhibitions, making for a unique viewing experience no matter when you visit.

Sake Tasting

To end the day, try some of Matsumoto's “sake” at a local brewery. The city of Matsumoto is known for its clear spring water, which runs down from the mountains and through the city throughout the year and can be found flowing from around 20 wells throughout the city. The same clear spring water is used for miso and sake production, making for some of the highest-quality sake in Japan. Learn about the different varieties of “sake” from your guide while tasting the authentic local flavors!

Return to Hakuba

After a day full of cultural experiences, historical sights, and delicious local tastes, board the bus back towards Hakuba. Relax on the 1.5-hour ride and feel accomplished with your day off from skiing!

Depending on your selected drop-off location, and other factors such as weather and road conditions, arrival times can vary from 18:00 to 19:00.

Meetup Points

HAKUBA TSUGAIKEKOGEN HEIGHTS BUS STOP, TSUGAIKE AREA @ 07:40

Please wait at the Tsugaikekogen Heights Bus Stop in the Tsugaike area of Hakuba. This is a group tour with multiple pickup points to follow. Make sure you arrive before 07:40 and look for the guide carrying a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign or badge. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time, so please be punctual to ensure a smooth departure.

HAKUBA TOKYU HOTEL, WADANO AREA @ 08:00

Please wait at the entrance of the hotel lobby. This is a group tour with multiple pickup points to follow. Please ensure you are at the hotel entrance prior to the meeting time and look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time.

HAKUBA HAPPO BUS TERMINAL, HAPPO AREA @ 08:15

Please wait inside the bus terminal and stay warm. Several tours operate from the bus terminal be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and confirm that you're joining the correct tour. Please ensure you are at the terminal before the meeting time. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time.

BUS LOT NEXT TO HOTEL LA VIGNE, ECHOLAND AREA @ 08:30

Please wait at the bus lot directly next to La Vigne Hakuba, not at the hotel entrance. This is a group tour with multiple pickup points to follow. Make sure you arrive before 08:30 and look for the guide carrying a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign or badge. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time, so please be punctual to ensure a smooth departure.

Notes

Tour Availability Disclaimer

All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

Included

• Transportation from Hakuba to Matsumoto, and between activities/attractions*
• Soba noodle lunch
• Entry to Matsumoto Castle
• Entry to Matsumoto City Museum of Art
• English-speaking guide

*Operated by Machinovate, Nagaden Bus, or an equivalent charter bus company based in Nagano Prefecture.

Excluded

• Additional food, snacks & drinks
• Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets
• Accommodation

Other Information

• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travelers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
• This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus, larger coach or train depending on the season and size of the group.
• Infants (0-5) are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included and the order will be made directly to the restaurant according to your needs. We also cannot guarantee that a seat on the tour transport will be available for infants and they may be required to sit in the lap of an adult.
• Booking cut-off time is an hour before the pick up time on the day.
• Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.