Matsumoto Castle, Japan

Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan’s few surviving original castles: the six-storey main tower, built between 1593 and 1614, has never burned down or been demolished and retains its Sengoku-period structure. The exterior is black wood panelling and white plaster, which is why it is called Karasu-jo (Crow Castle). It sits on flat ground, not a hilltop, with the moat reflecting the tower and the North Alps visible behind it on clear days. The combination of dark tower, white walls, moat reflection, and mountain backdrop is one of the more photographed scenes in central Japan.

The castle interior is open to visitors and contains six floors of steep wooden stairs (the original construction, not rebuilt for accessibility). The top floor has views in all directions; the descent is slower than the ascent because the stairs were deliberately built steep to impede attackers and are genuinely awkward going down. Allow about 45 minutes for the interior.

Entry costs 700 yen for adults; combined tickets with the Japan Folklore Museum nearby are available for 1,000 yen. The castle opens at 08:30 and has timed entry limits in peak season (April and early May for cherry blossoms; late July and August). The best time for the classic moat photograph is early morning before the crowds arrive.

Matsumoto City

Matsumoto is a city of about 240,000 people in Nagano prefecture, roughly 200 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. The city centre around Nawate Street and the Nakamachi district has Meiji and Taisho-era kurazukuri (storehouse architecture) buildings now occupied by cafes, craft shops, and sake retailers. The Matsumoto City Museum of Art has a permanently installed collection of work by Yayoi Kusama, who was born in the city; her distinctive dot and net patterns cover a garden installation and several interior galleries.

Eating

Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles made from locally grown Nagano buckwheat) is the regional specialty. Soba Taira on Nawate Street is a well-regarded option; a cold zaru soba costs about 800 to 1,200 yen. Matsumoto is also the centre of the Shinshu Miso region; the local miso is darker and stronger than most. Kobe, a longstanding sake brewery near the castle, offers tours and tastings.

The morning market (Nawate Morning Market, held early morning on Saturdays in summer and autumn) sells local mountain vegetables, preserves, and crafts.

Getting There

The Azusa limited express from Shinjuku station in Tokyo takes about 2.5 hours and costs roughly 6,000 yen. The Shinonoi Line connects from Nagano (50 minutes), which is useful for combining with trips to Snow Monkey Park. Local buses and hire bicycles cover the city; the castle is about 15 minutes on foot from Matsumoto station.