The notebook of Matsumoto et Kamikōchi
Take height without losing the details.
Historical castle, alpine valley and agricultural landscapes connect a cultural city with the high peaks of Chūbu.
At your own pace
Identity summary
3 to 7 days
Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Recommended car
City · Mountain · Heritage · Nature
Good accessibility
Modular rhythm
General presentation
Matsumoto et Kamikōchi
Historical castle, alpine valley and agricultural landscapes connect a cultural city with the high peaks of Chūbu.
To understand what Matsumoto and Kamikōchi are, you must look at the side of Matsumoto Castle, Kappa Bridge in Kamikōchi and Wasabi Daio Farm. These places give you a view of a territory marked by urban life, mountain reliefs, heritage and natural spaces and allow you to move from emblematic sites to more intimate stages.
See all
For a stay of 3 to 7 days, it is better to balance visits and travel times. Also to be anticipated: conditions to be checked according to the season. A car is usually the easiest way to connect the different sectors. The main sites are generally easy to access.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Matsumoto Castle
- Kappa Bridge in Kamikōchi
- Wasabi Daio Farm
Before you choose
- Car often useful
- Conditions to be checked by season
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
Culture and heritage
Rue Nakamachi
Nakamachi Street conserves in the centre of the Matsumoto an alignment of kura, old warehouses with white and black walls built to better withstand fires. Craft shops, small cafes and museums occupy these historic buildings today, a few minutes walk from the castle.
Castle
Château de Matsumoto
The castle of Matsumoto conserves a dungeon of black wood surrounded by moat and views towards the Japanese Alps. The interior, almost without furniture, reveals steep stairs, frame and defensive devices with a rare authenticity among the great castles of the country.
Bridge
Pont Kappa à Kamikōchi
The Kappa bridge crosses the Azusa in the centre of Kamikōchi facing the peaks of the Hotaka. Almost flat paths follow the river, ponds and forests, while the altitude routes require much more equipment and experience.
Place indismissible
Ferme de wasabi Daio
The Daio farm uses the clear waters of Azumino to cultivate wasabi in long shaded plots. Canals, mills and small trails make the site pleasant without a guided tour, with tastings that show several uses of fresh rhizome.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
Similar destinations
Same landscapes and the same pace of travel, elsewhere in the world.
