The black keep of Matsumoto Castle reflected in its moat with the Japanese Alps behind

Nagano

Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi alpine valley

Duration: 12 hrs
Group size: 1 to 6 guests
Transport: Private vehicle
Pickup: Your hotel
Price: From $560 / group

Matsumoto Castle is one of only twelve original keeps left in Japan, and the interior is still the steep wooden staircase the garrison used. Kamikochi, ninety minutes further into the mountains, is a protected valley of clear river water and 3,000-metre peaks with no private cars allowed.

The two together make a long but unhurried day, with most of the effort in the driving rather than the walking.

Hour by hour

The day, stop by stop

06:00
Hotel pickup in Tokyo
Straight out on the expressway, with a breakfast stop on the way.
09:15
Matsumoto Castle
The black keep and its moat, with the Alps behind. Inside, six floors of steep original stairs.
10:45
Nawate Street and Nakamachi
Frog Street's small shops and the white-walled storehouses of the old merchant quarter.
11:45
Lunch in Matsumoto
Local soba, or a set meal chosen around the group's requirements.
13:15
Drive to Kamikochi
Through the Kama tunnel and into the national park. Private vehicles transfer to the park shuttle at Sawando.
14:15
Kappa Bridge
The wooden suspension bridge over the Azusa river, with Mount Hotaka straight ahead.
15:00
Taisho Pond riverside walk
A flat hour along the water past standing dead trees in the pond, then back.
16:15
Return to Tokyo
Back at your hotel by around 20:30.

Where you'll go

The places on this day

Included

Private vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide
Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off in the pickup area
Fuel, tolls, parking and driver expenses
Bottled water on board
Itinerary planning before the day, including dietary and prayer needs
Kamikochi shuttle bus transfer from Sawando

Not included

Meals and drinks, unless listed in the itinerary
Entrance fees to shrines, museums and observation decks
Personal shopping
Gratuities, which are never expected
Travel insurance
Matsumoto Castle admission, around 1,000 yen

Good to know

Season

Kamikochi is open mid-April to mid-November only. Outside that window we run Matsumoto with Narai-juku instead.

Walking level

Moderate. The valley trails are flat and well surfaced; the castle stairs are steep.

Weather

The valley is cool even in August, and rain there is heavier than in the city.

Questions about this tour

Why does the vehicle stop at Sawando?: Kamikochi bans private vehicles to protect the valley. We park at Sawando and take the short shuttle in together.
Can we do only one of the two?: Yes. Matsumoto alone makes a comfortable nine-hour day and costs less; ask us for a revised quote.
Is the castle interior accessible?: No. The original stairs are steep and narrow, with no lift. The grounds and moat are level and pleasant.

Japanese macaques sitting in a steaming hot spring pool surrounded by snow at Jigokudani

Nagano

Snow monkeys, Shibu Onsen and farm lunch

12 hrs· Best December to March, monkeys visit year-round

Jigokudani Monkey Park
Shibu Onsen village
Farm-to-table lunch

06:00 · Hotel pickup in Tokyo
09:30 · Obuse village
10:45 · Jigokudani trailhead

From $430 / group

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From $560 / group

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Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi alpine valley

The day, stop by stop

Hotel pickup in Tokyo