Matsumoto is home to Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure. Kamikochi, with its divine natural scenery, attracts many tourists. Shiojiri, where the old inn towns remain as they were in the past, is an area that meets a variety of tourist needs.
The Matsumoto-Kamikochi/Shiojiri area offers many tourist attractions such as Matsumoto Castle, Shirakone Onsen, Norikura Kogen Plateau, and Naraijuku, tourist events such as Craft Fair Matsumoto and Matsumoto Candy Fair, and local gourmet foods such as soba noodles, Japanese sake, and horse meat.
Matsumoto is a castle town located in central Nagano Prefecture, centered around Matsumoto Castle. The streets of old houses that survived the war have been preserved as they were in those days. The old Kaichi School, Nakamachi-dori Street, and Nawate-dori Street are all still intact, and the atmosphere of those days can be felt.
Kamikochi is also famous for its beautiful starlit sky, and you can feel the beauty of nature in this area. Lodging facilities are scattered around Kappa-bashi Bridge, and the area offers a variety of sightseeing spots with its natural scenery intact.
The "Town Sneaker" bus service is available, but the best way to enjoy the city of Matsumoto is to explore the old houses on foot. If possible, it is best to take a course that traces the castle town from Matsumoto Station to Matsumoto Castle.
You can enjoy a variety of cuisines such as the famous "horse meat cuisine," "wild vegetable cuisine," "white buckwheat noodles," and "Matsumoto sanzokuyaki" (Matsumoto bandit roast). Many places nearby sell fresh local fruits, and "wine" and "honey" are also famous.
If you are looking for local food, you should try "Karinto", "Miso Bread", and "Oyaki". There is no seafood, but you can enjoy excellent river fish instead. Try the "iwana" (rockfish) and "yamame" (soybeans). You will be surprised at how tender they are.
Kamikochi is a town with a riverfront setting overlooking the majestic mountains of the Alps and other regions around it.
The view of the Hotaka mountain range to the north, Mt. The open-air baths at each of the inns and hotels are so beautiful that they will make you forget your fatigue.
Driving through Utsukushi-ga-hara on the undulating up-road, you will suddenly enter a hilly area with only flower fields and an area where you can see nothing but flowers around, but once you enter this area, you will be confronted with a completely different landscape of mind-boggling beauty. Visiting this area with a rental car, which you can stop anywhere, is definitely recommended.
Shiojiri is located almost in the center of Nagano Prefecture and has long flourished as a major transportation hub. The Nakasendo roadside inn towns, such as Naraijuku, still retain the atmosphere of those days, so you can easily enjoy a walk to feel the history of the area. Trekking and hiking are also available to enjoy the rich natural environment.
Matsumoto Castle was originally built as Fukashi Castle during the Eisho Era (1504-1520) of the Warring States Period.It is designated as a National Treasure as one of the existing castle towers, and the castle ruins are designated as a National Historic Site. Only five castles have been designated as national treasures; the others are Himeji Castle, Inuyama Castle, Hikone Castle, and Matsue Cast...»
Kamikochi is one of Japan's leading mountain resorts at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, overlooking the Hotaka mountain range in the Northern Alps. It is a magnificent natural scenic spot spreading in the highlands of the upper reaches of the Azusa River in the southern Hida Mountains. It is part of the Chubu-Sangaku National Park and is designated as a national cultural asset (specia...»
Narai-juku is a post town that prospered with many travelers passing through on the Nakasendo, a highway connecting Edo and Kyoto. It was the 34th of the 69 Nakasendo inns and the most prosperous of the 11 Kiso inns, and was known as "Narai Senken. It is located at the highest elevation of 900 meters among the 11 inns on the Kiso Road, and consists of three districts: Uemachi, Naka-machi, and Sh...»
This wooden suspension bridge spans the Azusa River in Kamikochi.It is a symbol of Kamikochi with a spectacular view of the Azusa River and mountains such as Mt. The bridge, 37 meters long, 3.1 meters wide, and 36.6 meters long, is made of larch and was first built in 1891.It is located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters in the Central Mountain National Park. Kappa Bridge was mentione...»
Norikura Kogen is a cool plateau stretching from 1,100 to 1,800 meters above sea level at the foot of the eastern mountains of Mt. The plateau is surrounded by beautiful larch and birch forests, creating a tranquil, bright image of Switzerland. There are more than 100 lodging facilities, including inns, pensions, and guest houses, as well as many restaurants, soba noodle stores, souvenir shops, ...»
Taisho Pond is a popular scenic spot in Kamikochi. It was formed when Yakidake, an active volcano, erupted in 1915 and the Azusa River was dammed up by a mudflow. The pond is surrounded by dead trees, and the view of the Hotaka mountain range and dead trees on the surface of the lake is unique to Kamikochi.It is designated as a national special scenic beauty spot and a special natural monument. ...»
Shirakone Onsen is a quiet hot spring village located in the valley of Yugawa River at the foot of Mount Norikura in the Northern Alps (about 1,400 meters above sea level).It is known for its milky white water with a silky feel. The hot spring is said to have a history of more than 600 years, and is effective for gastrointestinal disorders, nervous disorders, women's diseases, and chronic fatigue...»
"Myojin-ike Pond, also called "Kagami-ike" or "Shin-ike" in olden times, is a Shinto sanctuary on the grounds of the inner shrine of Hotaka Shrine, located on the far side of Kamikochi. From Kappa-bashi Bridge, walk upstream on the Azusa River and it takes about an hour to get there. Ichino-ike and Nino-ike are two large and two small ponds, and char, mallard ducks, mandarin ducks, and other bir...»
Utsukushigahara Onsen is located on the outskirts of Matsumoto City, 800 meters above sea level at the foot of the Utsukushigahara Plateau. It is several kilometers away from Utsukushi-ga-hara Plateau in a straight line. It is a historic hot spring resort, and the old townscape still remains. As for public bathhouses, "Shiraito no Yu" exists. History Utsukushigahara Onsen has a long history and...»
Located in the northeastern part of Matsumoto City in the center of Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture), Asama Onsen is a hot spring resort known as the "back seat" of Matsumoto. The mountains of the Northern Alps can be seen to the west. It is a 10-minute drive to Matsumoto Castle and the castle town for strolling, and is also a good base for sightseeing to Azumino and other areas. The hot spring boast...»