Jul 21, 2023, 3:36 AM. Guests can have breakfast at an extra cost upon request. A Japanese breakfast and traditional multi-course dinner are served at the dining room. It includes four routes that go to the key tourist spots around the city. A free shuttle is available from JR Matsumoto Train Station, which is a 20-minute drive away and runs on a fixed schedule. There is a legend that says that one of the vassals of the castle saw a woman wearing beautiful clothes. Theres also a nifty map with all the different routes. We loved our tour of Akihabara with Shinya! Today, however, only 100 remain, of which just 12 are considered original. #1 of 237 things to do in Matsumoto Points of Interest & Landmarks Castles Scenic Walking Areas Closed now 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By phalanxye " MAGNIFICENT CASTLE " Feb 2020 One of the most beautiful and complete among Japan's original castles and is listed as National Treasure of Japan. However, I did come away with some interesting pieces of information that helped me understand Matsumoto better. 6 replies. To enter the interior castle grounds, youll need to cross the moat, pass the ticket booth, and then pass through Kuro-mon Gate (Black Gate). The sixth floor is the watchtower. Matsumoto Castle was originally built in the 1500s, and most of the buildings surviving today date back to 1594. Thus, saving Crow Castle from the fate of 80 castles throughout Japan. Japanese Yukata robes and toothbrush set are provided, and the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Closed December 29 to 31 I am very glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the "Akihabara Walking Tour". I am a passionate solo travel advocate who has visited over 35 countries (and counting!). It also assumes that you arrived the evening before and are leaving in the late afternoon. Visit Matsumoto and Gaijin Pot both have information on what to eat in Matsumoto. Notice the large and rare stone called the Genba Stone on the left side of the second entrance. The first floor was used for storage of food, weapons, and ammunition. The first and second week of April being especially busy because of cherry blossom season. Guest rooms at Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring include air conditioning and a desk. What samurai were supposed to do when their master lost was to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) in which they thrust a sword through their belly. This is the last stop on your Matsumoto itinerary. Hideyoshi was actually a pretty good ruler; however, because he came from a peasant family, he could never become Shogun. Japan Railways Limited Express. Sorry, but Im going to burst your bubble a little bit here. The most popular months to visit Matsumoto Castle are late March to mid-April. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. One warlord stood out from all the rest: Oda Nobunaga. The Alps Language Service Association offers free tours of the castle. Guests at the Shirakabaso can marvel in the beauty of the Japanese Alps on a hike, or browse in the hotel shop. (US$1.82/1.43/1.63). So, grab your backpack, your camera, and lets explore Matsumoto! Here you can watch the swans swim around the castle moat; and stand by the water's edge to witness the carp team to the surface. Get Your FREE Japan Itinerary Guide Here! By local trains, the one way journey between Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) and Matsumoto along the JR Chuo and Shinanoi Lines takes about five hours, typically requires about three transfers of trains and costs 4070 yen. Its five-storey main tower, built in late 16th century, is the oldest surviving castle tower in the nation. However, these new locations also made the castles more vulnerable to attack. In winter, its all about skiing and snowboarding. The country stopped building castles. Tickets cost 5000 - 8000 and the journey takes 2h 35m. Here's a must-do day trip from Tokyo that'll get you out of the city and exploring some of Japan's most stunning scenery and land m. He has a wonderful personality. Staff at Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto are available to provide information at the 24-hour front desk. Japan Railways Shinkansen. For further relaxation, it offers massages, Japanese cuisine and small classical concerts. Fill Up your Water Bottles at Famous Water Wells, 5. The one way trip takes just over three hours and costs 3900 yen. One-day trip Visit the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum & see Yayoi Kusama's artwork by Bus. A 5-minute drive from National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, Ryokan Seifuso is next to Shinshu University and boasts a view of the Northern Alps and the freshness of the Metoba River. Have you been to Matsumoto? So, if you only have one day to explore Matsumoto and want to know the top things to do, get up early, grab a tourist map and take some notes from this travel guide. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There are many overseas visitors from over 30 countries every year (English available) for sports camps, and university seminars. Cross the Metoba River where youll come to another charming and picturesque street called Nakamachi Street. You can also sometimes tell when and under which ruler a castle was built. There were around 60,000 masterless samurai wandering around Japan in 1614 after Ieyasu had confiscated their masters lands. Matsumoto Castle is 1.4 km from the hotel, while Suwa-Lake is 30 km from the property. However, he lost it when he backed the wrong side against Ieyasu Tokugawa, and the castle and his domain were given to another family. Save. Matsumoto is super easy to get around, making your Matsumoto itinerary a snap! Things to do in Matsumoto with Kids Kamikochi Area - Kappa Bridge, Taisho Pond Matsumoto City Museum of Art (Yayoi Kusama) Nakamachi Shopping Street Nagawado Dam * Tokyo to Nagawado Dam by car (3.5 hours / 245 kilometers) Only a 15 minute walk from Matsumoto train station is Matsumoto Castle, also known as the 'Crow Castle'. Jigokudani+Matsumoto day trip from Tokyo one day pass? All Rights Reserved. In the summer, locals and tourists flock to hike and do water sports. The three key places that should be included in any itinerary for Matsumoto include: If your Matsumoto itinerary can be expanded to include two days, here are additional tourist attractions: Matsumoto is also a good base for taking a day trip to the Japan Alps. The color of the mountaion landscape changes with the changing of the seasons. He was more interested in tea ceremonies and writing haikus like the Emperors were than actual soldiering. In 1868, the Tokugawa shoguns were overturned and power was once again restored to the hands of the Emperor. Only a 15 minute walk from Matsumoto train station is Matsumoto Castle, also known as the Crow Castle. Matsumoto Castle | Japan Experience Within easy walking distance of the castle you'll find a host of pubs and restaurants on the quaint and quirky riverside Nawate pedestrian lane, nicknamed "Frog Street." 16 Underrated Day Trips From Tokyo You Haven't Thought Of It costs 200 yen to go inside. They have a variety of indoor and outdoor baths to choose from. Fukashi was renamed Matsumoto in 1582. Upon returning, though, they found that the lesser families and even some of their disloyal relatives had usurped them in power and taken over their territories. By local trains, the one way journey between Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) and Matsumoto along the JR Chuo and Shinanoi Lines takes about five hours, typically requires about three transfers of trains and costs 4070 yen. Please see the calendar for availability. Our family had a phenomenal tour experience with Shinya. Did you use a Japan Rail Pass on your last trip to Japan? Shinya was very knowledgeable about everything on our tour. Check to see if Matsumoto Castle is holding an event while you're in town. Matsumoto Castle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Please have a nice trip and take care of your health! Matsumoto Castle is fabulousand I could really do with a soak in Asama Onsen! According to the legend, there was once a large pond in the area where Nawate Street now stands. Dont forget these essentials! If youre following my three weeks in Japan itinerary, Matsumoto is day 12. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. This was where the samurai would assemble. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Even if you dont go all the way to the top of the castle, theres a good mini-museum on the inside with Samurai armor, guns, and other artifacts, and pictures are allowed. Japan Tour - The Japan Alps | Japan Experience It includes detailed day-to-day itineraries for Tokyo, Kyoto, and 9 other destinations in Japan. Forget Tokyo: Here are 5 Underrated Places in Central Japan to Visit Instead, How To Make More Time for Adventure When You Work, An Awesome 10 Day Yasawa Islands Itinerary, 12 Outdoor Adventures For Your Philippines Bucket List, A Weekend Walking from Scarborough to Whitby via the Cleveland Way, 8 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Kanazawa in Japan, The Cape Woolamai Circuit Phillip Islands Best Day Walk, Matsumoto in Winter: A One-Day Sightseeing Itinerary. Guides: Lonely Planets guide to Japan, a Japanese phrasebook for beginners or to kick-start your next adventure, how about Lonely Planets Guide to the World? The property is non-smoking and is set 500 metres from Matsumoto Station. The major tourist attractions are 15-20 minutes by foot from the train station and from each other. My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. This itinerary comes from both my extensive research and travels around Matsumoto. The Taiko-mon gate consists of two gates. The Emperor of Japan has come from the same imperial family since Japan became Japan. 6 Tokyo Castles In & Around The City To Experience The Bygone Days! Kamikochi Sawando Car Park is a 20-minute drive away from the property. Before Nobunaga could completely unify Japan, he was defeated in battle and, thus, committed suicide. This is a long journey taking about 3-4 hours one way, but its not as bad as it sounds. 6 reviews 3 helpful votes Jigokudani+Matsumoto day trip from Tokyo one day pass? The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 11 km from Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto. We recommend booking Matsumoto Castle tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Matsumoto - Wikitravel One-day trip Take a fun food tour around the city. I was extreemly moved when I read it. Free green tea is provided, and guests are free to roam the hotel in Japanese samue casual wear. Thank you very much for sending me a nice picture! It was used to communicate information like the time of day to the people of Matsumoto. We get on the Super Express Train AZUSA boud for Tokyo. One of his generals, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, took over and unified all of Japan by 1590. Subscribe tomy newsletter to receive the latesttravel tips for Asia and get a free 4-page PDF version of my 3-Week Japan Itinerary. I saw Matsumoto castle and tried horse meat for the first time by doing a day trip to Matsumoto. If youre still following this Matsumoto itinerary, it should be around noon. During that time it was called the Crow Castle because of its black colors and rooftops that look like spreading wings. During these 100 years of war, these powerful families led by a warlord or lord (in Japanese theyre called daimyo) built thousands of castles all over Japan. Entering the castle will probably be the highlight of your Matsumoto itinerary. Matsumoto Castle is located in the Nagano prefecture of Japan. Travelling Tokyo-Matsumoto-Takayama in one day From 1333 to 1568, while the Emperor was busy drinking tea, arranging flowers, and writing haikus, Japan was ruled by the Ashikaga family of Shoguns. There are perhaps two places to stop and visit: the Kurassic-kan Buildings, which used to be a storeroom for sake, but now holds cultural exhibits and possesses a teashop and caf. The next step on your Matsumoto itinerary is to visit Matsumoto City Museum. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. Shoho Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Matsumoto Castle and a 5-minute drive from Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum. 1. I look forward to seeing you again in the near future in Japan. Dont enter the inner castle grounds yet because youll first visit the Matsumoto City Museum and register for the free guided tour, which is next to the southern entrance. The four routes are the North Route, the South Route, the West Route, and the East Route. Stops and things to do on Tokyo to Matsumoto drive or road trip - Wanderlog Sign in and subscribe for the latest Japan travel news and updates.