SIGHTSEEING
Recommended tourist spots
Matsumoto Castle’s
For over 400 years, Matsumoto Castle has stood proudly in the center of Matsumoto City. While it was built during the Warring States Period, it never saw battle, and instead of becoming a symbol of war, became a symbol of the people who worked so hard to protect it.
The castle is a National Treasure, not just because it is one of the few surviving castles left in Japan, but also because of its beauty and its unique construction. Both first-time visitors to Japan and seasoned castle enthusiasts can appreciate its chic black-and-white exterior and the majestic Japanese Alps in the distance.
Matsumoto Castle's approximately 15 minutes from the hotel (walk)
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Nawate-dori
All around the castle, you can find glimpses of the city’s past. Several streets retain an atmosphere of its castle town days, lined with old wooden shops and earthenware storehouses.
Right by the Metoba River (near the castle) you’ll find the two most popular streets to visit. On the castle side marked by a large statue of two warrior frogs is Nawate-dori, otherwise creatively known as “Frog Street.”
Approximately 10 minutes from the hotel (walk)
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Nakamachi-dori
A retro boardwalk with a stunning cityscape dotted with warehouses with black and white namako walls (a white grid pattern on black slate).
Just on the other side of the river, is Nakamachi-dori. The street is filled with shops and cafes where you can spend some time and enjoy Matsumoto's cultured atmosphere.
Approximately 10 minutes from the hotel (walk)
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Kamikochi
Surrounded by mountains towering over 3,000 meters heights, the emerald green forests and crystal clear rivers of Kamikochi. The vivid colors of nature and the magnificent peaks of the Japanese Alps come together to form one of the most beautiful scenic locations.
Approximately 60 minutes from the hotel (car)
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Azumino
There, if you head to the city of Azumino (which, frankly doesn’t look or feel like a city at all), you’ll find one of the most beautiful and charming natural settings you will ever see: The Daio Wasabi Farm.
The farm features a number of large, lush, green wasabi fields interlaced with small streams of cool, clean water from the nearby Japanese Alps. Although the farm was originally just that, the popularity it has gained from visitors led the owners to develop it for tourism, while still maintaining its status as the largest single producer of wasabi in the country.
Approximately 25 minutes from the hotel (car)
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Utsukushigahara Highlands
Utsukushigahara is a 2,000 meters tall plateau located roughly between Matsumoto and Ueda. The name means “Beautiful Field” and true to that name, the 360-degree panorama view of Mt. Asama to the east, the Japanese Alps to the north and west, and Mt. Fuji to the south is truly spectacular.
Approximately 70 minutes from the hotel (car)
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Kaichi School
Then in 2019, the Kaichi Elementary School became a designated National Treasure as well.
The Former Kaichi School, built at the beginning of the Meiji Period, is one of Japan’s very first schools. This historical structure is representative of both Japanese and Western architecture. The architecture is called Giyofu and reassembles Western style in appearance, yet relies on traditional Japanese construction techniques.
Explore the hallways of this historical school building and experience another vestige of the past.
Approximately 10 minutes from the hotel (car)
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Asama Onsen Village
Located north of Matsumoto City, Asama-Onsen Village is the perfect place to experience one of the many natural hot springs in the area. Onsen are an integral part of Japanese culture and are recognized for their many therapeutic properties.
For Japanese cuisine lovers, Asama-Onsen offers many traditional restaurants serving Soba (buckwheat noodles), the most famous dish in the region!
Approximately 20 minutes from the hotel (car)
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