Nagano Prefecture: Where Majestic Nature and Rich History Thrive

National Treasure “Matsumoto Castle”

Built during the Sengoku period (Japan’s Warring States era) in the 16th century,Matsumoto Castle is the oldest surviving five-story, six-floor castle keep in the country and is designated as a National Treasure. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Northern Japan Alps (Hida Mountains), the castle stands with an imposing presence, its beauty like a painting. On calm days, its reflection appears on the still waters of the moat, creating the stunning “upside-down castle” view. Be sure to explore not only the castle’s exterior but also the interior of the keep. 

Exhibits such as suits of armor and matchlock guns offer a glimpse into the atmosphere of the Sengoku period. Though the steep staircases may be a challenge, the panoramic view from the top floor is truly breathtaking.

Recommended Spots to Visit Along with Matsumoto Castle

┃Strolling and Snacking on Nawate-dori Shotengai

Walk about five minutes from Matsumoto Castle, and you will find a shotengai shopping street along the river. The shopping street is lined with shops and stores selling delicious munchies, such as hand-made rice crackers, and “good old” toys and knick-knacks. You will notice that there are many statues and items of frogs. These frogs symbolize the local peoples’ wish and determination to keep the river clean so that they can bring back Kajika frogs, which used to inhabit clear streams.

┃Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Yayoi Kusama, a world-acclaimed avant-garde artist, is from Matsumoto City. In front of the museum building, one of her sculptures, “The Visionary Flowers” (2002) is displayed. The museum hosts various special exhibitions along with the featured exhibition, “Yayoi Kusama: The place for my soul,” in the exhibition room on the 3rd floor throughout the year. You can follow the trajectory of her creative activities, from her early works to her recent series, “My Eternal Soul.”

┃Take a Break at a Retro Cafe: Coffee Bigaku Abe

Opened in 1957, this traditional cafe has a nostalgic atmosphere inside. It serves meticulously prepared coffee along with a wide variety of food and drinks, including a variety of toast and sandwiches.
* No reservation accepted, cash onlyAmong other items they serve, “Mocha Cream au lait” is especially popular. It is served with a performance of pouring milk and cold coffee over ice cream in a copper goblet in front of you, making you feel like you are witnessing the moment when an art work is completed. The cafe opens at 7AM, so it is recommended that you enjoy a morning menu set.

Take a Short Trip to Discover Timeless Scenery and Traditional Landscapes

┃Just like Traveling into the Past! Narai-juku

In the Edo period (1603-1868), Narai-juku was located almost at the halfway point of the Nakasendo (Central Mountain Route), one of the five main routes of old Japan, connecting Edo (current Tokyo) and Kyoto. Stretching for about 1 km, it is said to be the longest “shukuba-machi” post station towns in Japan. The district was once crowded with many travelers and merchants and it has been selected as an Important Traditional Architectures Preservation District of Japan. Along with restaurants, souvenir shops, and lacquerware shops, there are ten lodgings in the area, so you may want to stay at one of them to think about the history there. From mid-October to early November every year, you can see beautiful scenery of colored leaves in the surrounding mountains, just like a painting.Try gohei-mochi, one of the local specialties of Nagano. Gohei-mochi is mashed rice, dipped in a special sauce of miso, soy sauce, sesame, and walnut, and then grilled.

Mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, a shuttle bus service using a retro bus is available connecting Narai-juku and Kiso-Hirasawa, the next town.
*The bus service will be available until November 23.

★ Grape Trellises on a Train Platform! The cultivation of grapes started about 130 years ago in Shiojiri City, and the city is now known as a wine producing area. On platforms 3 and 4 of Shiojiri Station, about eight minutes by train from Matsumoto Station, you can see real grape trellises. In autumn, the sweet fragrance of grapes is wafting around the station. It is the only place where you can take a photo of a train and grape trellises together!

★ The Best Viewing Spot Recommended by Local People! Takabocchi Kogen Plateau is a lesser-known but great viewing spot, from which you can get a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji with Lake Suwa in front. Especially from mid-October to mid-December, the morning temperature significantly drops, which makes it easier for a sea of clouds to form, resulting in creating a breathtaking view 30 minutes before and after sunrise. * This place is not accessible by public transportation only. * The area is closed during winter from early December to mid-April.

┃Suwa Taisha Shrine

Serving as a grand head shrine of about 10,000 Suwa Shrines nationwide in Japan, Suwa Taisha Shrine has long been worshipped as a guardian deity of wind and water in charge of bountiful harvests. The shrine consists of four shrine complexes, including the Kamisha Upper Shrine (comprising the Maemiya and Honmiya shrines) located on the southern shore of Lake Suwa, and the Shimosha Lower Shrine (comprising the Harumiya and Akimiya shrines) on the northern shore of the lake. Many people come to this shrine for a tour to collect goshuin stamps and omamori good-luck charms from all of the four shrine groups. Walking in the mystical atmosphere of the area will make you feel as if you are purified by clear air mentally and physically.

If you access by public transportation, it takes about 20 minutes on foot to get to Shimosha from Shimo-Suwa Station, and about one hour by bus to Kamisha from Kami-Suwa Station. However, since the number of buses running in the route is very limited, it is recommended to use a rental car or taxi.

┃Lake Suwa

The biggest lake in Nagano Prefecture has a good access, only eight minutes on foot from Kami-Suwa Station. The walking paths along the lake are well-maintained, allowing people to enjoy strolling and cycling comfortably.

★ If You Want to Get a Nice View of Lake Suwa We recommend visiting Tateishi Park , which sits on a hilltop. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake, and on clear days, even catch a glimpse of the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains). It is said that the area was used as a setting for Japan’s hit anime movie, “Your Name.” Especially, the sky and the surface of the lake beautifully colored with yellowish-red at dusk create a striking view, which may remind you of the famous scene of the movie. Access ：Kami-Suwa Sta. → 30 min walk

★ If You Want to Experience a Physical Activity If You Want to Experience a Physical Activity “Suwako Duck Tour”  using an amphibious bus offers an exciting experience of running on the land and then directly splashing into the water! The service will be available until November 30, 2025. The tour takes about 50 minutes. (reservation required)Access：Kami-Suwa Sta. → 20 min by bus → SUWA GARASU-NO-SATO (meeting place) Business hours： 9:30-17:00 (reservation hours) Regular holiday ：  Tuesdays, Wednesdays (except in August)

★Don’t Miss This Spot in Autumn! On the way to Tateishi Park from Kami-Suwa Station, you can take a little detour to visit Onsenji Temple. The maple leaves on the grounds turn vivid colors from late October to early November every year. The night illumination of the leaves creates a mesmerizing view. There is a special time-limited edition of “goshuin” stamps only available during the autumn foliage season.Access ：Kami-Suwa Sta. →20 min walk

Healed by Wilderness in an Extraordinary Time

┃Kitayatsugatake Ropeway

This aerial lift line takes you to Sancho Station situated at an altitude of 2,237 meters on the top of the mountain in only seven minutes. At the summit of the mountain, there is a natural garden called Tsuboniwa Shizenen Park, where you can enjoy a vista of a lava plateau with alpine plants. From late December to mid-March, you will see a wonderful panoramic winter snowscape created by juhyo (frost-covered trees).

┃Shirakaba Kogen

This highland area, home to two lakes— Lake Shirakaba and Lake Megami—offers activities such as canoeing.
From mid-October to early November, the surrounding mountains turn a brilliant golden hue, and in winter, it is also a popular ski resort.

┃Mishaka-ike Pond

Located deep in the mountains at an elevation of 1,500 meters, this beautiful pond reflects the surrounding scenery on its mirror-like surface. The larch forest around it changes with the seasons—lush green in spring and summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and a pristine blanket of snow and ice in winter.