All Matsumoto Tours & Excursions in 2026

Fed by pure spring water, Matsumoto is a city where the nature of the Northern Alps, refined craft traditions, and the quiet dignity of an old castle town come together in harmony. This gentle walking route from Matsumoto Castle to Yohashira Shrine, then onward to Nakamachi Street and Nawate Street, offers an unhurried immersion into landscapes shaped by history and aesthetics. Visits to a long-established sake brewery and a famous local spring invite you to taste the flavors born from Matsumoto’s exceptional water—a refined urban stroll that reveals the city’s true character.

Book this winter Kamikochi snowshoe tour for a truly special Japan Alps experience, guided in English by a UIMLA Certified International Mountain Leader. You’ll enjoy detailed communication and professional support from start to finish, making this tour smooth and stress-free even for first-time snowshoers. Snowshoes, microspikes, and trekking poles are included, and your guide will also handle the bus reservation for you. To keep you warm and comfortable, the guide will serve a hot drink at a scenic spot, please feel free to tell us your preferred drink in advance.

Evening air, the sound of spring water, the warmth held in old stone streets. Matsumoto has flourished for centuries as a castle town, where wells and natural springs were once central to daily life. That same water still shapes the city today—found not only in everyday routines, but in the flavors of its restaurants, craft beer, and cocktails. This experience introduces Matsumoto’s water culture and its understated nighttime charm. Walking, touching, tasting—you’ll learn from a local guide how those in the know enjoy an evening in Matsumoto.

Matsumoto Castle is one of the most famous sights in Matsumoto, and this experience allows you to bypass long ticket lines as admission is included. First, explore the grounds of this impressive castle which is ranked as one of Japan's most beautiful. Then, learn about Japan’s signature drink at a sake brewery.

Reaching Mt. Fuji from Tokyo independently means navigating crowded trains and planning your day around timetables. Skip the hassle with a private full-day tour with an English-speaking chauffeur who guides you to viewpoints and important landmarks around the sacred mountain. Enjoy more flexibility than a group excursion and explore your own way.

Led by highly qualified photographers, our program works around your travel schedule, capturing natural and memorable shots. -Available anywhere in Matsumoto Nagano. -The original 100+photo files will be delivered. -Photography can be booked up to 3 days in advance. Please select your preferred shooting location from the Location list and inform us when booking or via Chat. ①Matsumoto castle park ②Nakamachi Street & Nawate Street ③Other location (Additional fees will be charged for outlying areas such as Togakushi Shrine Okusha ) ＜Proposal Photography Option＞ Planning a surprise proposal in Nagano? We offer optional proposal photography plans to help capture this special moment. - Plan A: 1-hour proposal photoshoot, 100+ original photo files, and pre-consultation via chat. - Plan B: Includes everything in Plan A, plus a short smartphone video capturing the proposal moment (about 30 seconds).

Embark on a captivating day of exploration through the enchanting city of Matsumoto, Japan! From the grandeur of Matsumoto Castle to the tranquility of Matsumoto-jinja Shrine, immerse yourself in history, culture, and natural beauty. End your adventure with a panoramic view from Matsumoto City Hall and some quirky fun at Nawate Shopping Street. Unleash your inner explorer and discover the heart of Matsumoto on this foot-powered escapade! Solve puzzles, explore the city, and find hidden gems at your own pace. Try a new type of experience with your smartphone, the perfect mix between a walking tour, sightseeing, and a scavenger hunt.

Discover how a small alpine city became a powerhouse of traditional craftsmanship and avant-garde art. On this immersive walk, uncover the aesthetic red thread connecting samurai castles, pseudo-Western schools, and the vibrant polka dots of Yayoi Kusama. Explore Matsumoto's identity as a City of Learning and see how reverence for education and nature created an environment where unconventional designs could flourish. From black-and-white namako walls to whimsical frog sculptures, see the city through the eyes of its visionary creators. A 3.3 km self-guided tour with 6 stops over 102 min Ideal for Art, Design & Aesthetics and History & Memory. Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals. Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app.

Explore the hidden winter wonderland of Kamikochi on a guided 7 km snowshoe hike. Follow local experts through quiet tunnels to the shimmering Taisho Pond and along the Azusa River to Tashiro Pond. With dramatic alpine views and no crowds, this is a once-in-a-season way to see Japan’s Northern Alps.

Discover Matsumoto through a local's perspective on this city walking tour. This castle town is made up of distinct areas each with its own characteristics. Come take an easy two hour walk with us and learn about Matsumoto City's history, culture, natural landscape, and how it has played a significant role in Japan. We'll lead you down the main areas as well as some off the beaten path areas, drink from some natural spring water wells, check out a hidden shrine, see a 360 degree city view and more.

Take a walk back into the Meiji era (1868-1912) and visit this 150 year old sake brewery in Matsumoto City. Join this guided tour and discover the brewery's history inside their original main building. Learn about their traditional sake brewing process and why it is a representation of Matsumoto City and the surrounding northern Japanese Alps. Finish off the tour with a thorough sake tasting session and a stroll through their retail sake shop. NOTE: After we receive your booking request we must confirm availability and start time with the brewery.

Have an unforgettable journey from central Tokyo to Yokohama, where you'll visit the car meet-up and hear firsthand experiences and unique stories. Your adventure begins in the heart of Tokyo. We'll hit the legendary Wangan for a scenic C1 loop, with brief stops at street racing hotspots. Then, we'll cruise along the Bayshore Route, passing through the iconic Rainbow Bridge on your way to Yokohama to witness amazing cars and meet their passionate owners. Your night will span approximately 3 hours where you'll feel like you are hanging out with a local friend. The best part? We'll provide a drop-off back to central Tokyo! Experience genuine car culture as we show you an authentic night out with a local, focusing on delivering a COMPLETE experience, not just a glimpse of cars at Daikoku.

This type of Tour is for those who are interested in having a custom tour in Kamikochi and/or Norikura. For these tours we offer full day Kamikochi Tours to Kappa Bridge, Kamikochi+Norikura frozen waterfall combination tours, and other tours upon request. Starting times and finishing times can be adjusted. We can also pick you up at your hotel (Norikura, Shirahone, Sawando area only) or at certain bus stops (Oyakodaki, Sawando, Nakanoyu) if you are traveling from Matsumoto or Takayama. **IMPORTANT Notice: Arriving to Kappa Bridge is not guarunteed depending on physical fitness, time schedule, and for those coming by Bus. If you want a higher chance at arriving at Kappa Bridge we must start earlier at around 8:00am. For an 8:00am start you must stay in Norikura prior to the Tour or come by rental car to NORHTSTAR. There is no early bus that arrives at this time. Please plan accordingly. Guides will make the final decisions on the trail regarding when to turn back.

Enjoy a thrilling outdoor adventure with a guided Mountain Bike Fun Ride designed for families and groups. This flexible tour allows participants to choose between a 90-minute ride or extend their journey up to 3 hours, catering to different skill levels and interests. Whether you're a family of four or a group of friends, you can tackle the trails together or split up based on your preferences, ensuring everyone has a great time on two wheels. - Choose between a 90-minute or extended 3-hour mountain bike tour - Perfect for families and groups with 2 or more participants - Tailored experience to accommodate various skill levels - Explore scenic trails while enjoying the company of family and friends

Discover Nagano or Matsumoto on a Fully Customizable Private Tour Enjoy a full-day private tour with an English-speaking local guide and private vehicle. Choose Nagano Standard, Matsumoto Standard, or an Extended Route. Nagano Standard covers Zenkoji, Togakushi, Obuse, Snow Monkey Park, Shibu Onsen, Matsushiro, and nearby areas. Pickup is from Nagano City hotels or Nagano Station only. Matsumoto Standard covers Matsumoto Castle, Ishii Miso Brewery, Daio Wasabi Farm, Azumino Winery, Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Narai-juku, and nearby areas. Pickup is from Matsumoto City hotels or Matsumoto Station only. Extended Route covers cross-area or long-distance routes such as Nagano ↔ Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Tsumago & Magome, Tateyama Kurobe, Hakuba, Nozawa, Shibu Onsen, and Yudanaka. Not all destinations fit in one day. The final route depends on pickup location, season, weather, road conditions, and time. Perfect for couples, families, and small groups seeking a comfortable private day.

Experience the best of Nagano winter in one unforgettable private tour—combining snowshoeing in the sacred forests of Togakushi and a visit to the iconic Snow Monkey Park, where wild macaques relax in natural hot springs. This seasonal experience is available only for a limited winter period. Unlike standard shared tours, this is an exclusive private experience focused on comfort, safety, and flexibility. Your guide, Hama—an English-speaking UIMLA-certified mountain leader and registered nurse—provides professional guidance tailored to winter conditions. Travel in a new Subaru Forester Hybrid 4WD, ideal for snowy mountain roads, ensuring a smooth and secure ride. The standard capacity is up to 4 guests, but groups up to 8 can be arranged upon request, with an additional certified guide for safe pacing and support. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to make the most of limited time while enjoying a premium, safe, and meaningful experience in Japan’s winter wilderness. ❄️

This tour offers a flexible way to experience Nagano’s local food and nightlife across five departure areas: Nagano, Matsumoto, Ueda, Suwa, and Iida. Instead of following a fixed restaurant list, your guide will ask about your preferences and help you choose local places around your selected meeting point. Nagano Prefecture is a collection of distinctive towns, each with its own food culture, local atmosphere, and evening charm. Whether you start from the temple town of Nagano, the castle town of Matsumoto, historic Ueda, lakeside Suwa, or southern Nagano’s Iida, this tour lets you enjoy local food, drinks, and casual conversation close to everyday life. With two stops included, this experience is ideal for travelers who want to discover local izakaya-style dining, regional flavors, and the warm character of Nagano after dark. It is a friendly, highly local evening tour for guests who want more than sightseeing.

Journey from Matsumoto or Nagano to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in a small group. Travel by tour vehicle to Ogizawa, then cross the mountains by electric bus, cable car, ropeway, and tunnel bus. Walk across Kurobe Dam and enjoy about two hours at 2,450-meter Murodo for lunch, photos, and seasonal scenery—from spring snow walls to summer alpine flowers and autumn colors. Your English-speaking guide keeps every transfer and connection smooth, then returns you to your original meeting point. Alpine Route tickets are purchased separately at Ogizawa with no markup.

Escape Tokyo for a memorable day trip to Niigata by bullet train and discover its rich history, local culture, and beautiful city scenery. Begin your journey from Tokyo Station and travel comfortably to Niigata by bullet train. Visit the Northern Culture Museum, a beautifully preserved historic residence with traditional gardens, and discover the region’s heritage and traditional lifestyle. Continue to Ponshu-kan at Niigata Station, where you can browse local specialties and products. Then enjoy panoramic views of Niigata City and the Sea of Japan from Toki Messe. Stroll through Furumachi, one of Niigata’s historic districts, and experience its traditional atmosphere and local charm. Finally, visit Minato Inari Shrine, a unique shrine with a long connection to Niigata’s maritime history, before returning to Niigata Station and taking the bullet train back to Tokyo. Experience the highlights of Niigata in one convenient day trip from Tokyo.