Hidden among the tall modern buildings in downtown Matsumoto City, Kasamori Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari, a deity of the rice harvest and prosperity in business. The shrine stands alongside Jorinji Temple, fronted by a wooden gate constructed during the Edo period over 200 years ago. This gate is considered the oldest wooden gate in Matsumoto. On your way to Matsumoto Castle, stop by the Kasamori Inari’s hidden shrine and catch a glimpse of two traditions, Shinto and Buddhism living in harmony.

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.

As one of the few traditional miso paste makers remaining in Japan, this local miso brewery is a must-see for anyone interested in Japanese food and culinary traditions. When you take a Japanese miso brewery tour, you will first be greeted by rows of 100 year old cedar fermenting barrels. Then one of the brewery’s own workers will swiftly guide you through the entire miso-making process and demonstrate how they create the astonishingly vast varieties of miso that can be found in Japan. After the tour, enjoy the brewery’s delicious miso lunch, loaded with only the best miso-inspired dishes, like miso rice balls, miso pickles, and tonjiru (pork miso soup).

The Matsumoto City Museum of Art showcases the works of many Japanese artists who have been inspired by the city and its surroundings and holds a permanent exhibition of the world-renowned avant-garde artist, Yayoi Kusama. The Matsumoto City Museum of Art will first greet you with Kusama’s “Maboroshi no Hana” (The Visionary Flowers) an impressive open-air sculpture. Inside the museum you will experience many impressive and immersive works of art from Kusama and others.

Nakamachi Street is a historic shopping area known for its old traditional storehouses called “Kura” which are characterized by their black-and-white, criss-cross patterned walls. This beautiful street is also a popular shopping area among the locals with many shops and restaurants to choose from. You can find many Japanese handicrafts, such as pottery, lacquerware and wooden crafts. Nakamachi retains this mercantile spirit, landmark of which is the old “Kurassic-kan”, a fully restored Sake warehouse, open to the public for viewing and host to many cultural activities.

Yohashira shrine was built during the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and is dedicated to four Shinto deities. This unique feature is rare in Japan. Because so many deities are gathered together in one place, Japanese commonly believe this shrine provides special wish-granting properties!

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!

Kurassic-kan is one of the city’s most famous buildings. This former sake brewery is a construction that perfectly represents Japanese architecture, and some remnants of the past are still present here.