The picturesque castle town of Matsumoto is nestled between the Japanese Alps and Utsukushigahara Heights (meaning “beautiful plateau”). Matsumoto boasts a surprisingly metropolitan atmosphere while maintaining historical sites and traditions.
The streets are clean, and the people are friendly. The region is famous for delicious apples and soba (buckwheat noodles) and is the birthplace of the contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama and the Suzuki music method.
Matsumoto Castle is one of four castles designated as ‘National Treasures of Japan’ and is the oldest “donjon” remaining in Japan. Construction of the elegant black and white structure began in 1592. Because of the elegant black walls, Matsumoto Castle is sometimes called ‘Crow Castle’. The steep stairs and low ceilings leading past displays of armour and weapons from the Sengoku period (“Warring States”) create a great atmosphere. The narrow wooden windows, once used by archers and gunmen, provide amazing views of the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto City and the koi and swans circling in the moat below.
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