Matsumoto Castle (松本城, 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.

Getting there and around

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 and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Matsumoto

Top rated in Matsumoto
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    • Matsumoto Jujo
      Luxury
      Offering both Western and Japanese-style accommodations, 松本本箱 features indoor/outdoor hot-spring baths and grilled foods. JR Matsumoto Train Station is a 20-minute drive away. The air-conditioned rooms come with an open-air bath. Japanese breakfast and dinner are served at the dining room. 松本本箱 Ryokan is a 10-minute drive from Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum.
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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 free shuttle service. 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 kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At cafe&stay CASTANA each room comes with bed linen and towels. Matsumoto Castle is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Suwa-Lake is 29 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km from the property.
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    • tabi-shiro
      Budget-friendly
      Tabi-shiro is located in Matsumoto, 2.7 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. The rooms have a shared bathroom. Tabi-shiro features free WiFi . There is a shared kitchen at the property. Shirahone Hot Spring is 32 km from tabi-shiro, while Matsumoto Castle is 400 metres 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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    • Raicho Onsen Inn
      Budget-friendly
      Guest House Raicho offers accommodation in Norikura Kogen in Chubu Sangaku National Park. Mt. Norikura Ski Resort is a 3-minute drive away, and pick-up service to and from the resort is provided every morning. Free WiFi and free parking is available on site. Guests can also enjoy bathing in the sulfur hot-spring, which makes use of pure spring water. Towels and toothbrush are provided at a fee. Kamikochi Sawando Car Park is a 20-minute drive away from the property. Kamikochi Bus Terminal is a 30-minute bus ride from Kamikochi Sawando Car Park, and a 60-minute direct bus ride from Norikura Kogen. Guests can have breakfast at an extra cost upon request. Guests can make their own meals at the shared kitchen on site. Activities available around the area include out-of-area skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing near a waterfall, hiking, cycling and fishing. Guests can also visit the Northern Alps or Matsumoto City, both tourist destinations that can be accessed from the property.
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    • Fukashiso
      Budget-friendly
      Guests at Fukashiso can enjoy relaxing in the spacious public/private baths and request for massage services. All rooms have a traditional Japanese-style decor and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. JR Matsumoto Train Station is a 10-minute drive away and JR Minami Matsumoto Train Station is a 5-minute drive away. A free shuttle is available from both stations, if reserved in advance. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Guests can enjoy the handcrafted wooden furniture and make green tea using the electric kettle. Each room comes with a TV and a private toilet but bathrooms are shared. Guests can purchase local products at the souvenir shop or lounge by the traditional Irori hearth. A coin launderette and rental bicycles are available. Photocopying services are provided at the front desk. A Japanese course meal is served for dinner if reserved in advance, and a buffet is available for breakfast. Both meals are served at the dining room and Soba noodles can be enjoyed at Alps Ginza. Fukashiso Inn is a 15-minute drive from Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum. Matsumoto Airport is a 30-minute drive away. Free shuttles from Fukashiso are available with an advance reservation. Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is a 20-minute drive away. Shuttle buses depart from Matsumoto Station for the property at 15:30 and 17:30, while buses depart from the property at 09:00 and 10:00.
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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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    • Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto
      Luxury
      Set in Matsumoto, 500 metres from Matsumoto Station, Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto 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. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a seating area and a flat-screen TV. 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. At Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Suwa-Lake is 33 km from Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto, while Kamisuwa Station is 36 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km away.
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    • Shoho
      Luxury
      Located in the Utsukushigahara hot-spring area, Hotel Shoho offers Japanese and Western accommodation with mountain views. Guests can relax in the indoor/outdoor hot-spring baths and request massages for an extra cost. A free shuttle is available from JR Matsumoto Train Station, which is a 20-minute drive away and runs on a fixed schedule. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a fridge and a safety deposit box. Japanese Yukata robes and toothbrush set are provided, and the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Guests can choose to stay in rooms with tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding or in rooms with Western-style beds. For an extra cost, guests can use the private reservable hot-spring baths and sing at the karaoke rooms. Bicycles can be rented to travel around the area, while sauna rooms are on-site as well. Local products can be purchased at the souvenir shop and free Wi-Fi is available at the public areas. Traditional multi-course meals are served for dinner and a Japanese/Western buffet for breakfast. Shoho Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Matsumoto Castle and a 5-minute drive from Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum. Utsukushigahara Highlands are a 1-hour drive and Matsumoto Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
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    • Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae
      Luxury
      Featuring 4-star accommodation, Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae is located in Matsumoto, 3 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum and 28 km from Canora Hall. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is set 400 metres from Matsumoto Station. The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. With a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also provide guests with a city view. At Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae every room has bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Matsumoto Castle is 1.1 km from Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae, while Suwa-Lake is 32 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 12 km from the property.
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Experiences around Matsumoto

Top rated in Nagano