Menu Inside Japan Tours
About Us
[email protected] Tel: + 44 117 244 3380(Bristol, UK)
Make an Enquiry
  • Download a brochure
  • About us
    • About Us
    • Brochures
    • Contact Us
    • Accreditation
    • Sustainability
    • Partner Testimonials
    • Press Coverage
    • Company News
    • Jobs at InsideJapan
    • Travel Agents
    • Client Log In
  • Reviews
    • All Trip Reviews
    • Independent Reviews
  • Experiences
    • All Experiences
    • Insider Experiences
  • Trip Themes
    • All Trip Themes
    • Honeymoons
    • Family
    • Skiing & Winter Sports
    • Diving
    • Active
    • Accessible Travel
    • Photography Tours
  • Useful Info
    • Destinations in Japan
    • Travel Tips
    • FAQs
    • Japanese Culture
    • When To Travel
    • Japan Interactive Map
  • Destinations in Japan
  • Travel Tips
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Brochures
    • Contact Us
    • Accreditation
    • Sustainability
    • Partner Testimonials
    • Press Coverage
    • Company News
    • Jobs at InsideJapan
    • Travel Agents
    • Tailormade Groups
    • Client Log In
  • Japanese Culture
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Small Group Tours
  • Self-Guided Adventures
  • Exclusive Private Journeys
  • Australia Flag flag Australia
  • USA Flag flag USA

Not in the UK?

You can change your location here.

    Japan is open to tourists! Find out how to visit.

    • Home
    • Themes
    • Family
    Print
    • Family Destinations
    • Japan Alps
    • Yakushima
    • Tokyo
    • Yudanaka
    • Osaka
    • Nara
    • Matsumoto
    • Miyajima
    • Kanazawa
    • Kyoto
    • Hakone
    Family Family

    For a perfect family getaway, look no further than the land of…

    Read more >

    Download your brochure today

    Explore our latest brochure for Japan holiday inspiration

    • Download a copy

    Matsumoto Matsumoto - Japanese

    If your kids' imaginations are captured by stories of samurai and ninja, Matsumoto's feudal-era “Black Crow” castle is the perfect place to bring history to life. Another experience we highly recommend is a soba noodle-making lesson, where the whole family can have a go at making, cooking, and eating their own traditional Japanese noodles. Combine the two for a really great day out!

    Matsumoto Map

    “Like most places in Japan, Matsumoto has plenty of local delicacies to try - from apples and soba noodles to fresh wasabi. And for those with a more adventurous palate, the city is also famous for basashi (raw horse meat) and edible insects!”

    Until the twentieth century parts of this region were amongst Japan's most isolated, often inaccessible for much of the winter when heavy snowfall and temperatures as low as -25C (-13F) made the mountain passes too treacherous for any journey to be undertaken. However, Matsumoto itself was an important trade route and a centre of export. During the Edo era 25% of all cigarettes smoked in Japan came through the town, making their way onto Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Nagoya.

    Matsumoto today is a very cosmopolitan city and has long been a centre of the arts and education. The world famous Suzuki Method of learning the violin was developed here, and the city also boasts Japan's first Elementary School (now preserved as a tourist attraction), opened during the Meiji era and paid for by donations from the local people. This was a landmark in education in Japan, as up until this time only the children of the samurai had access to a proper education.

    Matsumoto is also the hometown of the celebrated artist Yayoi Kusama, whose polka-dot creations have graced art galleries worldwide - and can be found on display at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. If you're interested in the visual arts, we also highly recommend heading to the city's ukiyo-e museum, which is located in the suburbs and houses the world's largest collection of traditional Japanese woodblock prints.

    Though its cultural offerings are diverse, Matsumoto's piece de resistance is undoubtedly its castle - which is lauded as one of the most beautiful original castles in Japan. Having survived over four hundred years through wars, earthquakes and fires, the current keep dates back to around the late sixteenth century and is open for the public to explore and admire. Be careful though! The steep ladders and low wooden beams (the Japanese were considerably shorter back then!) within require a fair degree of concentration.

    And finally, on a culinary note, Matsumoto is also famed for its soba or buckwheat noodles and its wasabi - the spicy green radish paste that usually accompanies sushi has a habit of catching the uninitiated unawares! Soba noodles make for a delicious lunch whether served hot or cold, and if you have an interest in wasabi then we recommend a visit to the Daio Wasabi Farm just outside the city.

    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380

    • Accommodation
    • Experiences
    • Weather & Climate

    Recommended Accommodation in Matsumoto

    The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Matsumoto.

    • Kagetsu Image
      Matsumoto
      Kagetsu

      Moderate

    • Buena Vista Hotel Image
      Matsumoto
      Buena Vista Hotel

      Superior

    • Kai Matsumoto Image
      Matsumoto
      Kai Matsumoto

      Deluxe

    • Dormy Inn Matsumoto Image
      Matsumoto
      Dormy Inn Matsumoto

      Budget

    Experiences in Matsumoto

    Matsumoto offers a wealth of exciting experiences that will help you get beneath the surface of Japan's fascinating culture. See below for a few of our favourites

    • The "black crow" castle Image
      The "black crow" castle

      Read more >

    • Daio wasabi farm  Image
      Daio wasabi farm

      Read more >

    • Soba noodle making  Image
      Soba noodle making

      Read more >

    Weather in Matsumoto

    The Climate Guide for Matsumoto, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Max Daytime Temperature (°C) 0 1 5 13 18 21 25 26 21 15 9 3
    Min Night-time Temperature (°C) -9 -9 -5 1 6 12 16 17 13 5 -1 -6
    Hours of Sunshine (Daily) 5 5 6 6 7 5 5 6 4 5 5 5
    Hours of Daylight (Daily) 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 13 12 11 10 10
    Heat and Humidity Discomfort None None None None None None Low Low None None None None
    Days with some Rainfall 23 21 20 17 16 20 22 19 19 15 16 21
    Monthly Rainfall (mm) 43 58 95 121 129 210 227 167 224 109 74 35
    UV Index (Maximum) 2 4 6 8 9 10 11 10 8 6 3 2
    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380

    Tour Gallery

    • Gallery Image
    • Gallery Image
    • Gallery Image
    • Gallery Image
    • Gallery Image
    • Gallery Image

    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380

    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380

    • View our Gallery > Matsumoto Gallery
    • Video Gallery > Watch video Matsumoto Video Gallery

    Featured trips including Matsumoto

    • Japan Arts Trail

      Self-Guided Adventure

      Japan Arts Trail (Classic)

      • Tokyo
      • Kawaguchiko
      • Matsumoto
      • Kyoto
      • Matsue
      • Naoshima
      • Tokyo

      The best of Japan's arts scene, from Naoshima "Art Island" to the Adachi Museum, with moderate accommodation and some delicious meals included.

      14 nights: from US$3666 pp (twin share) Read more >

      View more Self-Guided Adventures

    • Traditional Japan

      Self-Guided Adventure

      Traditional Japan (Superior)

      • Tokyo
      • Kanazawa
      • Shirakawago
      • Takayama
      • Matsumoto
      • Tsumago
      • Kyoto
      • Tokyo

      Discover traditional Japan through its beautiful ryokan inns, delicious cuisine and a range of cultural experiences on this superior itinerary.

      14 nights: from US$7436 pp (twin share) Read more >

      View more Self-Guided Adventures

    • Honshu Hiking

      Self-Guided Adventure

      Honshu Hiking (Classic)

      • Tokyo
      • Matsumoto
      • Tsumago
      • Narai
      • Kyoto
      • Yunomine Onsen
      • Koguchi
      • Nachi
      • Osaka

      From sacred pilgrimage trails to ancient samurai routes, this itinerary showcases some of the best multi-day hiking routes in Japan.

      14 nights: from US$3458 pp (twin share) Read more >

      View more Self-Guided Adventures

    Inside Japan Accommodation Styles

    Style Facts

    Contact us

    • GB Inside Japan UK office

      + 44 117 244 3380
    • US Inside Japan US office

      + 1 303 952 0379
    • AUS Inside Japan Australia office

      + 61 7 3186 8800
    • JAP Inside Japan - Japan office

      + 81 52 253 6068

    ABTA: Travel with confidence ASTA: American Society of Travel Agents Click for the Business Review of Inside Japan Tours, a Japan Specialist Tour Operator in Boulder CO ATOL: Air Travel Organisers Licensing ATAS AFTA AITO: Association of Independent Tour Operators ABTOT: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust JATA logo ACTA logo

    Order a brochure or enquire today

    If you'd like any help or want to know more about Japan, feel free to either enquire today, give our Japan travel experts a call, or why not get one of our beautiful Japan brochures.

    Order a brochure Make an enquiry
    • Home
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Brochures
    • Accreditation
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews
    • Sustainability
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Latest Trip Features
    • Small Group Tours
    • Self-Guided Adventures
    • Exclusive Private Journeys
    • Experiences
    • Trip Themes
    • Offers
    • Travel Agents
    • Magazine
    • Blog
    • Travel Tips & Advice
    • Japan Interactive Map
    • When To Travel
    • FAQs
    • Culture
    • Destinations
    • Press Coverage
    • Company News
    • Jobs with InsideJapan
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Site Map

    Connect with InsideJapan

    Choose your currency

    • GBP
    • EUR
    • AUD
    • USD
    • CAD

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Sign me up Client log in

    InsideJapan Tours

    Get beneath the surface

    Award-winning, innovative and fun group tours, tailormade trips and cultural experiences throughout Japan.

    • Conde Nast Awards Travel Specialists
    • Conde Nast Awards Readers' Choice
    • World's Best Awards
    • Afar Awards
    • TTG Travel Awards
    • Travel & Leisure Awards
    • TTG Luxury Travel Awards
    • Magellan Awards
    • Sunday Times Travel Awards
    • Wanderlust awards
    • Travvy Awards
    • Best travel specialists
    • Guardian Travel Awards
    • Guardian Travel Awards
    • Independent Travel Awards
    • Tour Grand Prix
    Travel Agents Client Log In

    Looking to travel to Southeast Asia?

    Visit our sister brand InsideAsia Tours.

    InsideAsia Tours
    Inside Travel Group Ltd, Electricity House, Quay Street, Bristol, BS1 4TD, UK
    Tel. UK (0)117 244 3380 Email [email protected]
    © Inside Travel Group Ltd. 2023
    wilddogdesign.co.uk Powered by AMO

    Search for your trip

    Sign up to our newsletter

    If you're interested in Japan, you will love our newsletter. Sign-up and we'll bring a little bit of the magic of Japan to your inbox as well as letting you know about our latest Japan travel experiences, exclusive promotions and insider specials!

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your details

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Make an enquiry

    Get one step closer to Japan

    Looking for some inside knowledge? Would like a little expert assistance? Fill in this form, tell us a few things about yourself and what your perfect Japan trip looks like and our team are here to help make it happen.

    Alternatively, give us a call. There is nothing we enjoy more than talking about Japan!

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your Trip

    We don't believe in a one size fits all approach, so please provide us with as much relevant information as possible to help us plan your perfect holiday!

    Almost there!

    How can we contact you about your enquiry?

    We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

    Your details

    Your address

    Look up address Enter address manually

    We send all our proposals by email and it's usually the best way for us to send you ideas and information about your trip and to answer your questions.

    It would be great to have the chance to speak on the phone so we can get the best possible understanding of what you're looking for (and because we all love talking about Japan!)

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Receive a brochure in the mail

    Complete the form below and our latest brochure full of Japan inspiration will be on its way to you next working day.

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your Trip

    Almost there!

    Please fill in your name and contact details below

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your details

    One final thing to ask!

    Please fill in your address details below to be sent our latest brochure

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your address

    Look up address Enter address manually
    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Download our latest brochure

    Complete this simple form and we'll email you a link to download our latest brochure, packed full of Japan travel inspiration.

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your Trip

    Almost there!

    Just let us know who you are and you'll receive the brochure links in the next couple of minutes.

    Your details

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Email Form

    You can email us using the below form. We would also love to chat about your travel plans and are happy to talk if you have any questions, so feel free to give our local office a call.

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your Enquiry

    Your details

    We send all our proposals by email and it's usually the best way for us to send you ideas and information about your trip and to answer your questions.

    It would be great to have the chance to speak on the phone so we can get the best possible understanding of what you're looking for (and because we all love talking about Japan!)

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    Special Offer Enquiry

    You can email us using the below form. We would also love to chat about your travel plans and are happy to talk if you have any questions, so feel free to give our local office a call.

    Offer title:

    Code:

    + 44 117 244 3380

    Your Enquiry

    Your details

    We send all our proposals by email and it's usually the best way for us to send you ideas and information about your trip and to answer your questions.

    It would be great to have the chance to speak on the phone so we can get the best possible understanding of what you're looking for (and because we all love talking about Japan!)

    ** When you opt-in to receive communications from Inside Travel Group Ltd. you are agreeing to us sending you marketing about the different trips and services we offer from our two brands, InsideAsia and InsideJapan. You can opt-out at any time via a link on our emails. You can read all about how we look after your data in our privacy policy

    Your personal information is kept confidential at all times

    RE