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Available from the end of April until early November, hot air ballooning is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Hakuba Valley and the dramatic North Japan Alps.Ballooning takes place in the morni...

Within easy reach of Kamikochi, Mount Norikura – or Norikuradake – stands at 3026 metres above sea level yet offers comfortable and leisurely walking trails for anyone of reasonable fitness. In winte...

Located between JR Matsumoto Station and Matsumoto Castle, the Nakamachi Street was the traditional heart of the city’s merchant trading and now a thriving shopping precinct. Situated along the old ‘...

Matsumoto’s Nawate-dori shopping street is located between Yohashira Shrine and Metoba River, at the midpoint between JR Matsumoto Station and the castle. While it’s a relatively short precinct at on...

As Nagano Prefecture’s second largest city, Matsumoto offers visitors lots to explore and enjoy all year round. From its iconic castle to its historic streets full of great craft stores, eateries and...

As a proud castle town, Matsumoto is the ideal place to try your hand at traditional ‘taiko’ drums. Originally used during warfare, taiko are now practiced purely for ceremony and entertainment, taki...

Known as ‘cha-do’ in Japanese, tea ceremonies were originally introduced to Japan from China and over the centuries have been refined into a uniquely experience – perhaps the most quintessential ‘Jap...

Famous of its iconic castle, of the story of Matsumoto is that of legendary samurai class, that ruled the city and country for hundreds of years. The legacy of the samurai is evident throughout Matsu...

Visitors to Matsumoto will enjoy one of Central Japan’s most historic city where the past lives on in the form of its famous castle and historic streets full of old merchant stores. Travelers wanting...