1-Day Walking Tour In Matsumoto: Art and Culture in the City

Located in the center of Nagano Prefecture, itself the geographical center of all Japan, Matsumoto is a city which has much more to offer than its humble size may at first imply. Once the capitol of the Lord of Matsumoto Domain, the city remains the cultural heart of Nagano even though it is no longer the main government center. A number of internationally famous personalities have strong connections here, such as artist Yayoi Kusama, and composer Seiji Ozawa. Alongside these cultural giants loom the towers of Matsumoto Castle, one of the few original castles in Japan, and amongst the most beautiful. Even more imposing are the peaks of the Northern Japanese Alps, making up the city's stunning natural backdrop and imparting a grandiosity to even its most plain streets. It is no surprise then, that blessed with all of this, the people of Matsumoto have made one of Japan's most appealing smaller cities - a place we are eager to share with you on this walking tour!

Highlights

• Enter the expansive Matsumoto City Museum and learn about the fascinating history of this city with your guide there to explain further
• Stroll around the outside of Matsumoto's two registered national treasures, Matsumoto Castle and the Former Kaichi School, with explanation from your guide
• Have time to enjoy exploring Matsumoto's quaint downtown at your own pace
• Enjoy the colorful artwork of Yayoi Kusama at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art
• Taste Matcha and Wagashi (Japanese sweets) at a local Matcha Cafe
• See a side of local life you would never discover without your friendly guide

Want to join this tour from Tokyo, Nagano, or another location? Please see our FAQ below for more information.

Description

This tour will begin at Matsumoto Station, outside of the ticket gates where your guide will be waiting for you at 09:45 with a "Snow Monkey Resorts" sign in their hands. Once all tour guests for the day have assembled, your guide will lead you out to town to start the day.

The first stop will be the Matsumoto City Museum, housed in an expansive and new building nearby the castle. Inside you will find a number of well thought out exhibits showcasing both artifacts from different eras of the region's history as well as dioramas and reconstructions that will make the city's story clear. Your guide will be ready to explain about these displays, and answer any questions you may have. By the end of your time here, you will have a deeper understanding of Japanese history and will find the rest of the day all the more enjoyable when you see the facts you learned in the museum reflected on the city streets.

The next attraction along the route will be the dual national treasures of Matsumoto: Matsumoto Castle and the Former Kaichi School. Located a stones throw from each other, both are worth seeing for their beauty and historical significance. The castle was completed in 1594 and is one of Japan's few original castles; meanwhile the school building was constructed in 1876 and represents a key step along Japan's rapid modernization in the 19th century. You will be treated to a guided walk at both of these treasures and the unique neighborhood around them, including the chance to drink water from several of the cities hidden wells! With your guide at hand, you will be able to enjoy a slower side of the city backstreets that most tourists never reach. Please note, we will not be entering either building during the tour.

Heading towards the central area of the city once again, you will first have time to explore Nawate Street (also known as Frog Street) and Nakamachi Street, two of Matsumoto's most charming streets and lined with quaint craft stores and delicious Japanese snack offerings. On Nawate Street especially, frogs are king, and all sorts of cute frog statues, souvenirs, and photo opportunities are to be found! This theme was decided to raise awareness of the pollution which had decimated the downtown frog pollution in the 1960's, and it worked! Today the clear and clean Metoba river runs right along the street and offers a great place to soak your feet and cool off in summer. Nakamachi, on the other hand, is just one street over and home to a number of preserved old warehouses which today hold restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Just in time for lunch, your guide will give you a tour of the area and some great recommendations on where to eat before giving you around 1.5 hours of free time to do with as you please.

After lunch will be a visit to what may be one of the most anticipated stops of the day - The Matsumoto City Museum of Art. Most famous for its collection of art installations by Yayoi Kusama, who was born and raised right here in Matsumoto, it is one of the city's most unique attractions. A number of paintings from Kusama's early career, as well as her more recent interactive pieces involving lights and mirrors, are on display and are sure to interest anyone. You can even take pictures in a completely yellow room housing one of her famous giant, polka dot pumpkins!

The final activity for the day will be a Matcha Tea experience at a local cafe right near the art museum. Run by a Matsumoto local who studied tea ceremony for years, his shop is small but full of character - you can even pick your own tea cup to drink from all, all of which were made in his own backyard! The bitterness of the Matcha pairs perfectly with the sweet 'wagashi', or Japanese sweets, and they even each other out on your tongue. Famous around the world in recent years, no trip to Japan would be complete without trying this most classic Japanese drink.

After a day of exploring Matsumoto together, your guide will lead you back to the station and end say their goodbyes there. Of course, if you are in need of any recommendations for dinner, nightlife, or things to do on the next day, feel free to ask away! Our guides will be happy to help.

Meetup Points

Matsumoto Station Ticket Gates @ 09:45

Your guide will be waiting for you at 09:45 immediately outside of the JR Matsumoto Station ticket gates. There is only one ticket gate, making it simple to find the right area. The guide will be holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS sign. Please make sure to arrive on time so that the tour may begin without delay.

Notes

Included

• Entrance to the Matsumoto City Museum
• Entrance to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art
• Matcha Experience
• English Speaking Guide

Excluded

• Accommodation
• Lunch
• Onward Travel Costs

Other Information

• This tour spends much of the day outdoors while walking through Matsumoto City. Please ensure you are prepared for changing weather conditions by carrying a waterproof jacket, umbrella, hat and sunglasses. As Matsumoto is located at a relatively high elevation, the sun can be strong so we also recommend bringing sunscreen.
• In winter, there may often be snow on the ground in Matsumoto City. The temperatures may also be quite cold, with days where even the high is below 0 degrees Celsius being not uncommon. We ask that you wear water-proof, winter shoes and warm clothing in order to best enjoy your tour.
• This tour includes a reasonable amount of walking in the city, and guests who have trouble walking for long distances may wish to reconsider joining.
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for guests who are mobility impaired. Should this be a concern, please contact us prior to booking to discuss suitability.
• Free time will be provided during the tour to enjoy certain locations at your own leisure. However, please ensure that you cooperate with your guide's instructions regarding meeting places and times.
• The tour application deadline is 2 days before the tour date at 17:00.
• In case any of the experiences included in this tour become unavailable, we will contact you to discuss further options.