Matsumoto Castle

Original and relatively complete castle

Highly Recommended

4.3 (621)

#1 of 6 most visited in Matsumoto

Matsumoto Castle (��{��, Matsumotojō) is one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles, i.e. the castles whose keeps have survived the post-feudal ages intact. It was built on the plains rather than on a hill or mountain. Matsumoto Castle is unique for having both a secondary donjon and a turret adjoined to its main keep. The castle structures, in combination with their characteristic black wainscoting, give off an air of grandeur and poise.

Matsumotojo's main castle keep and its smaller, second donjon were built from 1592 to 1614. Both these structures were well-fortified as peace was not yet fully achieved at the time. In 1635, when military threats had ceased, a third, barely defended turret and another for moon viewing were added to the castle.

The wooden interior of Matsumoto Castle provides an authentic experience unlike that felt at many other castles rebuilt of ferro-concrete. Interesting features of the castle include steep wooden stairs, openings to drop stones onto invaders, openings for archers, as well as an observation deck at the top floor of the main keep with nice views over the surrounding city.

In spring, Matsumoto Castle is a popular cherry blossom spot. Many visit to stroll around the spacious castle grounds and park. Along the outer castle moat are hundreds of Somei Yoshino cherry trees that provide lovely views when they are in full bloom around mid April each year.

Along the northern moat of the castle in spring

The castle is a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride on the Town Sneaker Northern Course bus loop line from JR Matsumoto Station.

How to get to and around Matsumoto

Hours

8:30 to 17:00 (8:00 to 18:00 around Obon and Golden Week)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.

Closed

December 29 to 31

Admission

700 yen (1200-1300 yen from April 2025; digital tickets for specific time slots will cost 1200 yen, while same-day paper tickets will cost 1300 yen)

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Matsumoto Castle

Official website.

Japanese

Matsumoto Castle

Official website.

- Soba House Azumino: private, luxe Japanese accommodation
  Located in the forest at the foot of the Northern Alps. 40min by car or train from Matsumoto. Our hotel offers a private hot spring and sauna, as well as soba-making classes.
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Budget:

- Matsumoto Jujo
  Luxury
  
  Located within 6.1 km of Matsumoto Station and 8.5 km of The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Matsumoto Jujo provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Matsumoto. The accommodation features a hot tub and a private open-air bath. There is a restaurant serving Italian cuisine, free private parking and an electric vehicle charging station. All units have a private bathroom, a safety deposit box and free WiFi, while some rooms here will provide you with a terrace and some have mountain views. At the ryokan, certain units are equipped with a coffee machine and wine or champagne. Continental and vegetarian breakfast options with local specialities, champagne and juice are available. There is a coffee shop, bar and lounge. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests at the ryokan will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsumoto, like walking tours. An indoor play area is also available at Matsumoto Jujo, while guests can also relax in the garden. Canora Hall is 34 km from the accommodation, while Matsumoto Castle is 4.2 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 16 km from the property.
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- Raicho Onsen Inn
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located in Matsumoto in the Nagano region with Mt.Norikura Ski Resort nearby, Raicho Onsen Inn provides accommodation with free private parking, as well as access to a hot spring bath. Featuring ski-to-door access, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a picnic area. At the guest house, units have a desk. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the guest house, all units include bed linen and towels. There is a snack bar, and packed lunches are also available. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsumoto, like hiking. Skiing and cycling can be enjoyed nearby, while a bicycle rental service, a ski pass sales point and ski storage space are also available on-site. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is 39 km from Raicho Onsen Inn, while Matsumoto Station is 42 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 44 km from the property.
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- tabi-shiro
  Budget-friendly
  
  Tabi-shiro, a property with a shared lounge, is located in Matsumoto, less than 1 km from Matsumoto Station, 3.7 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, as well as 29 km from Canora Hall. With a bar, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Guests can have wine or champagne delivered to their room. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Matsumoto Castle is less than 1 km from tabi-shiro, while Suwa-Lake is 33 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 13 km from the property.
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- cafe&stay CASTANA
  Mid-range
  
  Located in Matsumoto, within 3.4 km of Matsumoto Station and 6.1 km of The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, cafe&stay CASTANA provides accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star inn offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 25 km from Canora Hall. The inn will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a patio and a private bathroom with a bidet. Guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. Matsumoto Castle is 3.8 km from cafe&stay CASTANA, while Suwa-Lake is 29 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km from the property.
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- Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring
  Luxury
  
  Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring provides rooms in Matsumoto near Matsumoto Station and Matsumoto Castle. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, all rooms have a desk. Each room is equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV, and certain rooms at Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring have a mountain view. At the accommodation each room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The hotel offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna and spa centre. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is 3.9 km from Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring, while Canora Hall is 29 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km from the property.
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- Ryokan Seifuso
  Budget-friendly
  
  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. It is ideal for sightseeing such as Kamikochi, a mountainous scenic spot, Norikura Kogen, which has abundant trekking courses, Azumino, an original landscape of Japan blessed with Dosojin and spring water, and Utsukushigahara Kogen, which was praised by Kihachi Ozaki, a mountain poet. There are many overseas visitors from over 30 countries every year (English available) for sports camps, and university seminars. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a refrigerator, TV and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Ryokan Seifuso is entirely non-smoking. Free parking (2 locations, 12 spaces, on-site), free rental bicycles and chargeable electric bicycles for sightseeing in the city. For meals, freshly prepared seasonal Japanese dishes are served. Western breakfast is available upon request (reservation made at reception), and vegetarian options are also available. The mellow honey yogurt from the eldest son of a beekeeper is extremely popular.
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- Fukashiso
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located 3.8 km from Matsumoto Station, Fukashiso offers 2-star accommodation in Matsumoto and features a garden. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a lift and free shuttle service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available and the ryokan also provides bike hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. All units at the ryokan are equipped with a seating area. The units at the ryokan include air conditioning and a tatami. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. There is a snack bar, and a minimarket is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is 6.3 km from Fukashiso, while Canora Hall is 25 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km from the property.
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- Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto Milky white Onsen
  Luxury
  
  Set in Matsumoto, 500 metres from Matsumoto Station, Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto Milky white Onsen offers air-conditioned accommodation and a restaurant. The property is around 3.5 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, 29 km from Canora Hall and 1.4 km from Matsumoto Castle. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space for guests. The rooms at the hotel come with a seating area. The rooms come with a kettle and a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, while selected rooms also feature a kitchenette fitted with a microwave. All guest rooms in Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto Milky white Onsen are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Suwa-Lake is 33 km from Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto Milky white Onsen, while Kamisuwa Station is 36 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km away.
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- Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso
  Mid-range
  
  Amid stunning nature in the heart of Kamikochi located within Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso offers Japanese-style rooms with free wired internet and a restaurant. It features a public bath. Rooms offer a traditional Japanese d?cor of tatami-mat (woven straw) floors, futon bedding, and paper sliding doors at the seating area. They are fitted with an LCD TV, a fridge and en suite toilet. Western rooms come with bathing facilities. Shirakabaso Hotel serves a dinner prepared with local produce in its dining room, while Restaurant Le Blanc offers a buffet of Japanese and Western dishes. Guests at the Shirakabaso can marvel in the beauty of the Japanese Alps on a hike, or browse in the hotel shop. The hotel is located in front of the Kappa Bridge, and it offers easy access to scenic spots. It is a 30-minute walk from Taisho Pond.
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- Guesthouse Hoshizora no Akari
  Budget-friendly
  
  Offering mountain views and free bikes, Guesthouse Hoshizora no Akari is situated in the Norikurakogen Onsen district of Matsumoto, 39 km from Matsumoto Station and 3.2 km from Mt.Norikura Ski Resort. Featuring free private parking, the 1-star guest house is 37 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum. The accommodation features a hot spring bath, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms. At the guest house, every unit comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a shared bathroom, bed linen and towels. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsumoto, like cycling and hiking. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Kamikochi is 25 km from Guesthouse Hoshizora no Akari, while Kappa Bridge is 26 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 41 km away.
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