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

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.

A 10-minute walk east of Takayama Station, this charming, old street in the heart of Takayama's historic quarter is lined with wooden Edo-era merchant homes and stores, as well as the occasional tall kura warehouse built to house Takayama's priceless festival floats. Be warned that it can get extremely crowded with tourists, but it's still worth a stroll. You'll find old sake breweries here, like Funasaka at the street's southern end, where you can sample local brews. As well as craft stores and cafes, there are also plenty of small stores selling snacks, such as skewers of Hida beef, Hida beef sushi, or sweet dango dumplings.