7 Best Sights in Matsumoto, The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast

At the country's largest wasabi farm, the green horseradish roots are cultivated in flat gravel beds irrigated by melted snow from the Alps. The chilly mineral water is ideal for the durable wasabi. The on-site shop sells the farm's products, which range from wasabi cheese to wasabi chocolate and wasabi ice cream (sounds bad, tastes pretty good), while the several cafes and restaurant's also serve wasabi-focused fare. The closest train station is Hotaka, 26 minutes (¥330) north along the JR Oito Line from Matsumoto Station. To reach the farm from Hotaka Station, take a 40-minute walk along a path (the station attendant will direct you), rent a bike, or hop in a taxi for about ¥1,300.

The museum is devoted to the lively, colorful, and widely popular ukiyo-e woodblock prints of Edo-period artists. Highlights include Hiroshige's scenes of the Tokaido (the main trading route through Honshu in feudal Japan), Hokusai's views of Mt. Fuji, and Sharaku's Kabuki actors. Based on the enormous holdings of the wealthy Sakai family, the museum's 100,000 pieces (displays rotate every three months) include some of Japan's finest prints and represent the largest collection of its kind in the world.

Nicknamed "Crow Castle" for its black walls, this local landmark began as a small fortress with moats in 1504. It was remodeled into its current three-turreted form between 1592 and 1614, just as Japan became a consolidated nation under a central government. The civil wars ended and the peaceful Edo period (1603–1868) began, rendering medieval castles obsolete. Its late construction explains why the 95-foot-tall tenshukaku (inner tower) is the oldest surviving tower in Japan—no battles were ever fought here. Exhibits on each floor break up the challenging climb up very steep stairs. If you hunker down to look through rectangular openings (broad enough to scan for potential enemies) on the sixth floor, you'll have a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains. In the southeast corner of the castle grounds, the Matsumoto City Museum (closed until autumn 2023 for renovations) exhibits samurai clothing and centuries-old agricultural implements.

At the end of July there is a taiko (Japanese drum) festival, and on November 3 the Matsumoto Castle Festival features a samurai parade, martial arts displays, and outdoor tea ceremonies. In late January an ice-sculpture exhibition is held in the museum's park. The castle is a 15-minute walk from the station.

The red polka dots on the facade of this museum, east of the Nakamachi district, are a very firm nod to arguably the most famous person to come from Matsumoto: artist Yayoi Kusama. Part of the permanent collection focuses of Kusama's avant-garde art and art installations, and includes a version of the iconic yellow and black pumpkin sculpture installed on Naoshima Island. There are also exhibits of calligraphy, painting and sculpture from other Matsumoto-born artists.

Next to the Ukiyo-e Museum is Japan's oldest wooden courthouse. Displays pertain to the history of law enforcement from the feudal period to the modern era.

In the Edo era (1603--1868) Nakamachi was Matsumoto's central district, through which passed a key highway connecting the region to Kyoto, Nagoya, and Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano. Today, the main street here is still lined with old wooden buildings and white-painted kura (warehouses) that house craft stores, galleries, and hip cafes. It's a lovely place for a stroll. Running parallel, just across the Metoba River, Nawate Street has a similarly retro vibe, though that comes alive more at night because of its cluster of restaurants and bars. Nakamachi is a five-minute walk south of the castle or 10 minutes east of Matsumoto Station. The Town Sneaker bus also stops there.

This museum displays the work of Rokuzan Ogiwara, a sculptor who was influenced by Auguste Rodin and pioneered modern sculptural styles in Japan. He is especially known for his female figures in repose and male figures in heroic poses. This ivy-covered brick building with a stunning bell tower is in Hotaka, 26 minutes (¥330) north of Matsumoto Station on the JR Oito Line. From Hotaka Station it's a 10-minute walk to the museum.