Matsumoto
Discover Matsumoto
Matsumoto (松本) is a city in Nagano at the eastern end of the Japan Alps. Kamikochi resort area in it has a separate article. From the closest major airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) near Nagoya, Matsumoto can be reached by rail in roughly three hours by the Meitetsu line and JR limited express train (change in Nagoya). Buses connect Centrair with Matsumoto in around 3½–4 hr for ¥3,500.
Taste of Matsumoto...
Matsumoto is mildly famous for its soba noodles, hopefully served with a dab of product from the world's largest wasabi farm nearby. You can have them as chilled zaru-soba in the summer, a refreshing way to experience the pure taste of the noodles, or in the winter as toji-soba, where you eat them by dipping a little bamboo basket into a pot of broth. Matsumoto is also famous for its raw horse meat (basashi). The backstreets of Nawate-dōri have small lively places where local people have food with drinks.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFrom the closest major airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) near Nagoya, Matsumoto can be reached by rail in roughly three hours by the Meitetsu line and JR limited express train (change in Nagoya). Buses connect Centrair with Matsumoto in around 3½–4 hr for ¥3,500. From Narita Airport (NRT), Matsumoto can be reached in 4½–5 hr by limited express rail service (change in Shinjuku). Matsumoto is located on the JR Shinonoi Line. It is four stops away from Shiojiri, the "mid-point" of the Chuo Main Line between Tokyo and Nagoya. There is a tourist information center inside the train station. Limited express trains run to Matsumoto from Tokyo's Shinjuku station. The Azusa (あずさ) makes the journey in about 2¾ hr (¥6,500). Local trains also make the trip, but it's cheaper and faster to go by bus....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
You can walk to Matsumoto Castle, about a mile northeast of the station, in about 20 minutes. Alternatively, the Town Sneaker Bus by Alpico Kotsu departs from in front of Matsumoto Station every 30 minutes and makes a circular trip to all city sights — it costs ¥200 each time you get off. ¥500 for a day ticket. Half-price for children. Japanese IC cards don't work on buses in Matsumoto. However, contactless payment with major credit cards except for Mastercard is possible. Tap on with the card when entering from the rear of the bus and tap off again when leaving at the front. To visit the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, however, you will have to go by train or taxi or get the Town Sneaker to the City Government Office then walk for 25 minutes. Bicycles are convenient for visiting sights not accessible by Town Sneaker bus.
Money & Budget
Stores in Matsumoto offer pickled wasabi leaves, laquerware, and traditional crafts. Matsumoto is mildly famous for its soba noodles, hopefully served with a dab of product from the world's largest wasabi farm nearby. You can have them as chilled zaru-soba in the summer, a refreshing way to experience the pure taste of the noodles, or in the winter as toji-soba, where you eat them by dipping a little bamboo basket into a pot of broth. Matsumoto is also famous for its raw horse meat (basashi). The backstreets of Nawate-dōri have small lively places where local people have food with drinks.