After some spectacular adventures in Osaka, the next destination was Matsumoto. The city of Matsumoto is more picturesque in comparison to some of the massive cities of Japan. On route to Matsumoto, we decided to make a stop in Nagoya. Nagoya was a very important castle town historically, so we visited Nagoya Castle in honor of that history. Once we had explored and learned to our heart’s content, we continued on to Matsumoto. This turned out to be the absolute loveliest and most relaxing place that we stayed in Japan. Keep reading to learn how to experience the lovely Matsumoto in a single day.
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Matsumoto Castle by Night
Upon arriving at our hostel, we learned from our hosts that there was a spring festival happening at the castle grounds. Pleasantly surprised, we decided to visit the castle and experience it by night. In the Spring, once the cherry blossoms start to bloom, Matsumoto castle is opened to the public at night for a special viewing. Traditional Japanese green tea and matcha are served for ¥100 a cup, and traditional Japanese music flows from the moon-viewing wing of the castle. It is actually free to enter the castle grounds during this time, while it still has a cost during the day. Strolling through the grounds, I felt almost at home with the celebratory and welcoming atmosphere. The view of the castle in the dark of night lit up and reflecting into the water is a true spectacle. It is times like these that make life seem so simple and enjoyable when I feel the most passionate about travel and how it can improve your life.
Hanami: The Art of Cherry Blossom Viewing
Cherry blossom season is a sacred time in Japan. Spring is considered the first season and is looked forward to by literally everyone. Hanami is essentially a cherry blossom viewing party. These can be organized events or festivals, or individuals can have hanami with their friends. Hanami has been a tradition in Japan for over a thousand years. The cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a physical representation of beauty, graciousness, transience, and new life. Being surrounded by sakura blossoms in a country that values beauty and cleanliness is a magical experience. Everyone needs a chance to slow down and appreciate the natural elegance of Spring. It reminds you to appreciate and respect nature and to help preserve this beauty.
A Morning in Matsumoto
We spent the night at a charming hostel called Tabi Shiro. I want to mention it because this is the best hostel that we stayed in during our time in Japan. The owner and hostess were so social and helpful, and I enjoyed speaking with them both immensely. After a simple breakfast of toast and Japanese green tea, we headed to Joyama Park at the recommendation of the owner. Joyama Park is a lovely green space in Matsumoto that is full of walking paths lined with cherry trees. The walk to get there was surprisingly challenging as Matsumoto sits at the base of the Japanese Alps and is quite hilly.
Joyama Park is filled with cherry blossoms and provides perhaps the most remarkable view of Matsumoto. There is an observation tower in the park and from the top, you can see the entire city as well as the range of the Japanese Alps on a clear day. We strolled past groups of children out playing in the park, delicate gardens, and cherry blossom trees lined with decoration for Spring. This may not be a common place to go if you are in Matsumoto, but I highly recommend visiting. The air in Matsumoto seems cleaner and fills you with energy as you hike through the city.
Matsumoto Castle by Day
Matsumoto Castle is considered a national treasure in Japan and is the oldest standing castle in the country. While some castles have historically been around longer, Matsumoto castle has never been rebuilt. Also known as Crow Castle, Matsumoto Castle is sophisticated in black with white trim. During the day, you can tour the inside of the castle. We almost passed it up due to visiting the grounds the night before, but I am so glad that we ended up doing the tour anyway. From the inside, you can really feel the age of the building. We toured many castles in Japan, and you can really tell the difference with Matsumoto Castle.
As a tall person, walking through this castle can be a bit challenging. Make sure to watch your head, as wooden slats are around every corner trying to knock you out. The number of steep stairs and low ceilings make touring the castle a fun and immersive experience. If you are an imaginative person like myself, you may find yourself daydreaming about what the inside of the castle was like in its heyday. Learning about the history of Crow Castle and viewing it on such a beautiful day is so inspiring. Of course, the number one thing to do in Matsumoto is to visit the castle!
Matsumoto Activities
We really only got to experience a very small part of Matsumoto. If you are in the Nagano region, I highly recommend trying soba, a buckwheat noodle that is traditionally made in the area. Also, we met a few backpackers in our hostel who were based in Matsumoto while they hiked the Japanese Alps. If you are a fan of backpacking through mountains, Matsumoto is a great starting point. Aside from all of the beautiful outdoor activities in the area, Matsumoto is home to many wonderful museums. The one that I most wanted to visit was the Matsumoto TImepiece Museum, but, alas, we ran out of time. The outside of the building is so beautiful and sports a large clock (of course). After visiting for one night, I am pretty sure that I could live happily in Matsumoto. That is how much I love this city!
I do hope that this article has been helpful if you are planning a visit to Matsumoto during your stay in Japan. If you weren’t planning on going to Matsumoto, I hope that this article has changed your mind. Matsumoto was a very relaxing experience and was absolutely perfect to visit before returning to Tokyo for the remainder of the trip.
