Japan Awaits

This Matsumoto tour offers you the opportunity to discover the captivating city in just 8 hours. Known for its iconic Matsumoto Castle and a blend of traditional and modern attractions, it’s a must-visit destination for a diverse and enriching experience.

Matsumoto City (in Nagano Prefecture), situated north of Tokyo, is the second largest city in the quiet and secluded Nagano Prefecture. The location offers a magnificent scenic view of the Northern Japan Alps and a unique cultural experience.  

• On this full-day private tour to and from Nagano and Matsumoto, your English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from Nagano Station between 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Start off the day by heading to Matsumoto and visiting the Matsumoto Castle, one of the best preserved castles in Japan that was built over 400 years ago.

• After an exciting morning at the Matsumoto Castle, visit Nawate Street (a small pedestrian zone with lots of small shops and restaurants along the river), the “Frog Street” (known for its abundance of frog products) and the Nakamachi Street (famous for its old houses and has a beautiful white tone).

• After half a day in Matsumoto, visit the tranquil Hotaka Town where Daio Wasabi Farm is located. It is most recognized as Japan’s largest wasabi farm covering 15 hectares and is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy and find lots of unique wasabi products including wasabi ice-cream. Near Daio Wasabi Farm is the Hotaka Shrine, a secured hidden dwelling surrounded by old trees, and is said to have a special energy and powerful strength. If there is enough time, guests may pray for good fortune at this shrine before returning to Nagano City.
• Wasabi Farm is generally open to the public from late April to early November. Please note that opening seasons and hours may vary from year to year or due to unforeseen circumstances. We recommend visiting the farm between April and November for the full experience. For other months, we will provide a list of alternative locations and activities.

Seasonal Recommendations for This Tour:
Spring Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Viewing: Mid-April to Early-May
Autumn Foliage (Koyo) Viewing: Early-September to Late-November
Winter Festivities: Early-December to Late-March

• Inclusions:
  • Transportation from Nagano to Matsumoto and return:
    • Private Vehicle option: The tour guide and driver will pick up guests from hotels located within a 10km radius of Nagano Station.
    • Public Transportation option: Please be aware that the tour will commence at Nagano station.

  • Trip to Matsumoto Castle, Nawate Street, Daio Wasabi Farm and more (based on the transportation mode).

  • English speaking tour guide.
• Exclusions:
  • Meals, snacks and drinks
  • Optional Activities in Matsumoto
  • Gratuities (optional)

  Location:

• Matsumoto Castle
• Nawate Street
• Nakamachi Street
• Hotaka Town

  (Only available with the private vehicle option. If you choose public transportation, we will recommend visiting an alternative location due to limited public transport access to this site)

• Daio Wasabi Farm

  (Only available with the private vehicle option. If you choose public transportation, we will recommend visiting an alternative location due to limited public transport access to this site)

 Price:

• See pricing at checkout

Private Tour

This private tour is for a group of 8 or less people. For a larger group, we may have two tour guides present (depending on availability).

Payment

All bookings is payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire. Confirmations regarding your booking will be sent at least 10 days before your activity date.

Cancellation Policy

Standard Cancellation Policy:

Looking for a tour in a different city?

Japan Awaits is a licensed tour operator in Japan, with hundreds of registered and vetted tour guides nationwide. We offer tours in any location in Japan and manage all details, including transportation and tickets. Contact us and inquire about a custom experience today.

How far in advance should I book?

Matsumoto is a popular destination from Nagano. We recommend making a reservation as early as possible and ideally, at least a month in advance.

When is it Peak Season and what does that mean for this tour?

There are many peak seasons in Matsumoto and Nagano, but it is especially busy during Spring and Fall Seasons. During these peak seasons, there will be heavy traffic on the roads and may take two to three times the duration to travel between destinations.

Other peak holidays include Golden Week (May 6th to 27th), the Obon Holidays (August 11th to 20th), and the New Year Holidays (December 28th – January 6th).

Why am I charged a service fee if I make a cancellation after you started planning the trip?