Matsumoto Discovery - Half Day Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover a real feudal era castle and the historical streets!
Matsumoto is a city with deep-rooted living traditions and proud people who retain an ancestral way of life that we have to honor and respect! Get an introduction into Matsumoto’s past and present during a 3 hour half-day walking tour.
Make your stay in Matsumoto the most unique and enjoyable experience possible! Your guide will help you enjoying the best of the city.
Our half-day Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour is designed to reveal the living traditions of our city by following a different route to and from the castle, and in doing so, bring the history and tradition of the famous castle town to life!
Take more than just a tour, discover ancient history and wisdom, have a unique and enlightening experience! Get a glimpse of all there is to explore in Matsumoto City!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle is one of five castles designated as ‘National Treasures of Japan’ and the oldest castle donjon remaining in Japan. Construction began in 1592 of the elegant black and white structure with its three turrets. Because of the elegant black walls, Matsumoto Castle is sometimes called ‘Crow Castle’. Please note that the stairs to reach the top of Matsumoto Castle’s tower are steep and narrow.
Nawate Shopping District
Nawate Street is a row of small shops with a subtle but recurring frog theme. Aside from a variety of snack shops, the street also has plenty of little nick knack shops and souvenirs. Yohashira Shrine is also on Nawate Street and is a lovely place to sit while enjoying your taiyaki or rice crackers. Feel free to stroll along Nawate Street and enjoy a relaxed rural village atmosphere within the heart of the city. Here you will find warm culture and hospitality and maybe a souvenir or two!
What‘s Included
Entry/Admission – Matsumoto Castle
English speaking Guide
Transportation, miscellaneous fees for you during the activity (snacks, souvenir, etc...)
Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)
Options
Matsumoto Discovery - Half Day
3 Hour Half-Day Walking Tour
Reviews
40 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Informative and fun
Michelle B,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I booked this tour last minute after hearing from attendees at another tour I was on that Matsumoto Castle was not to be missed. Our guide was Tom T. originally from Canada but a resident here for decades and a retired teacher. His teaching background serves him well. We wandered the streets outside the train station on our way to the castle, while Tom kept up a steady dialogue on places and sites of historical significance. He guided us through the castle and warned us “watch your heads!” due to the narrow steep staircases and low beams throughout. It was a cold but magnificent afternoon to visit, clouds streaking the sky and playing with the light. Afterward, my tour companions left for the samurai experience. Tom took me to the small one-street shopping district (closed as it usually is on Wednesdays). One shop was open - the green grocer, with bright and enormous persimmons for sale. I bought several and enjoyed them thoroughly, as much as I enjoyed spending the following hour touring a shrine and learning about shrines and the Shinto belief system. Tom translated for me and helped me buy prayer pockets and a “fortune” from the shrines vendors. I’ve been lucky in so many ways this trip, not the least of which has been the awesome tour guides I’ve met along the way. Thank you Tom, for helping make my afternoon in the town of Matsumoto so memorable and meaningful.
The castle visit is worth...
Patrick W,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The castle visit is worth every moment, and Tom was a great guide. A mine of information not only about the castle, it’s history and stories, but on life for an expat married to a Japanese. And encounters with bears!
My tour guide Sayuko gave...
Jurgen K,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My tour guide Sayuko gave me a very detailed and personal tour around the city and inside and outside of Matsumoto Castle. Could definitely recommend!
Highly recommend! Excellent tour
639hollyd,,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant walking tour! My guide was very knowledgeable I had lots of questions and he answered them all. There's a lot to see in Matsumoto and it was really interesting to hear all about the history and learn more about Japanese culture. Would highly recommend!
Matsumoto castle and downtown surroundings!
Arvind S,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great tour with a small group. The guide, Tim, was well versed with the area and local customs and was able to answer all questions thrown at him.
Brilliant tour of Matsumoto
Janice T,,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Shin was a great guide who showed us so much more of the city than we would have found ourselves, as well as helping us interact with local people and suggesting restaurants to try.. We were pleased that he was able to guide us inside Matsumoto Castle giving very interesting explanations. The volunteer guides at the castle are only allowed to show tourists the grounds. Overall the tour was money well spent.
Tom was an amazing guide...
jocelyndemone,,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tom was an amazing guide and tailored the trip to my interests. Very knowledgeable and able to answer all the questions I had. Matsumoto castle is definitely a highlight of my trip.
Very enjoyable and informative.
Dream09014187408,,Jun 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed our 3 hour walking tour to Matsumoto Castle and shopping streets nearby. Naomi shared a bunch of information that made our visit more enjoyable. Since we are seniors, she also was careful to conduct our tour at a pace we were comfortable with. I highly recommend this tour as I'm sure Naomi is capable of conducting the tour for all age groups.
Matsumoto walking tour/Matsumoto Castle
J2655BHdavidb,,May 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tom was the perfect guide to have in Matsumoto, especially for English speaking travelers. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and had a good sense of humor. Since he was originally from Canada, he was easy to converse with. He has lived in Japan for over 30 years and has knowledge and curiosity about the place. The tour of the castle and town area were perfect. We highly recommend the tour and Tom as a guide.
The Matsumoto Experience
Isaac R,,Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a blast. The Matsumoto castle is beautiful!!! Our tour guide Naomi, did an excellent job taking us through and answering all questions. Need to be fit to climb up the castle but it was all worth it. The shop areas were awesome and we had time to explore.
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