Matsumoto
松本市36°14′ N 137°58′ ECityPop. 239,115Nagano
Matsumoto is the castle city of central Nagano and the most livable city base for the Northern Alps, with Matsumoto Castle in the centre and direct trains from Shinjuku. It suits food lovers and mixed groups, and the trade-off is the long ride up the Oito Line to Hakuba's ski areas.
Photo 663highland · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Who should base here
Stay in Matsumoto if you want a castle city with good food, onsen in the hills and direct trains from Tokyo. Skiers who want to ride every day should move up to Hakuba.
Eat in Matsumoto
Things to do in Matsumoto
Matsumoto sits in a wide basin with the Northern Alps lined up along its western sky. Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure with a black keep, stands a short walk from the station, and the old Nakamachi and Nawate streets nearby hold the city's craft shops and soba counters.
JR's Azusa limited express runs from Shinjuku in just over 2.5 hours, and highway buses from Shinjuku take just over three hours. From Nagano the Shinano limited express takes about 50 minutes. The Oito Line heads north through Azumino and Omachi to Hakuba, and the onsen hamlets of Utsukushigahara and Tobira sit in the hills east of the city.
Base here for a city winter with a ski day or two, or for spring riding across Azumino. Matsumoto's walkable centre and good train links make it easy for groups where only some people ski.
Quick answers about Matsumotoよくある質問
How long is the train from Tokyo to Matsumoto?
JR's Azusa limited express takes just over 2.5 hours from Shinjuku to Matsumoto, according to japan-guide.com.
Can you go from Nagano to Matsumoto by train?
Yes. The JR Shinano limited express runs between Nagano and Matsumoto in about 50 minutes, roughly once an hour.
Is Matsumoto a good place to stay?
Stay in Matsumoto if you want a castle city with good food, onsen in the hills and direct trains from Tokyo. Skiers who want to ride every day should move up to Hakuba.
Within 12 km
Places to stay nearby宿
Within 12 km
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Within 12 km