1 Day Tour From Nagano to Matsumoto Castle and Narai-Juku
Description
Guests on this exciting 1 day tour of Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku will have the chance to get hands-on with Japan's fascinating history by personally entering the renowned Matsumoto Castle and strolling the streets of the quaint Narai-juku. There will also be opportunities to walk the downtown area of Matsumoto city and window shop or taste some of its delicious local specialties. With all transport included in the tour, you will not have to worry about anything more than which souvenirs to buy for your family and friends. This tour also includes a seasonal activity at Narai-juku, to allow you to get even closer to the fascinating culture of this region of Japan which often feels as though it has been pulled out of a different era.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour will start with a walk through the famous Nawate Street, also known as Frog Street, in Downtown Matsumoto. Completely closed off to private cars, this street provides a relaxing area to window shop, try some local ice cream and snacks, or visit the adjacent Yohashira Shrine.
Next you will be led inside Matsumoto Castle after a short walk. One of only 12 original castles remaining in Japan and one of the largest and most impressive out of those 12, this castle is everything you need to see to understand more about the Samurai lifestyle and governance in Old Japan. Not just historical but also extremely beautiful, Matsumoto Castle is sure to win you over with its bold but delicate exterior design.
After leaving Matsumoto Castle, guests will board the dedicated tour bus and get out on the road to head for Narai-juku post town. Known as the longest post town in Japan, with over 1km of traditional wooden buildings lining its single main street, this town is everything you have dreamed about when it comes to possessing a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Here your guide will lead you through the town and explain the history and purpose of this town and why it was important. There will also be a seasonal activity, such as entering a preserved old home or making chopsticks by hand, the price of which is covered in the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 5 hours that are not spent at the destinations will be spent boarding the vehicle/on the road.
- All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
Reviews(47)
Shawn was the most amazing tour guide would highly recommend this tour .Shawn explained everything about the history of Japan.The castle was beautiful and the quaint town top it off . English speaking tour guide
We had the most amazing one day tour with our guide Hiroshi! We ended up booking on a cold and rainy day, which worked out for the best as we were the only ones on the tour and both Matsumoto and Narai-Juku were not very busy. There is a bit of driving involved but it’s totally worth it to learn all about two important and beautiful landmarks in Japan. The tour guide went above and beyond answering all our questions, and providing so much knowledge about the two landmarks. Would highly recommend!
Our one-day journey to Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku was truly memorable, and it would not have been this seamless without the excellent arrangements by the Snow Monkey Resort team. A heartfelt thank you to Endo-san and Kay for organizing such a well-balanced and enriching itinerary. The in-depth tour of Matsumoto Castle gave us a deeper appreciation of its history and architecture, while the stroll through Narai-juku felt like stepping back in time—peaceful, authentic, and beautifully preserved. A special thank you to Kay, whose genuine attentiveness to every details and thoughtful care which made the entire experience feel truly personal and effortless. It’s this level of dedication that elevates a good trip into something exceptional. Special mention as well to our driver, who ensured a smooth and safe journey throughout the day from 10:00 to 17:00. Every part of the trip felt carefully managed, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy the experience. We were also fortunate to have lovely weather, which made visiting each location even more enjoyable and complete. Overall, a thoughtfully curated tour with genuine hospitality—highly recommended for anyone seeking a deeper and more comfortable exploration of Nagano.
Dear Amornpan, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! It was such a pleasure to read about your day at Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku. I have shared your thanks with Endo-san and Kei. We believe that the best tours are those where our guests can simply relax and let the history of Japan unfold around them, so we are thrilled that Kei and Endo-san's attentiveness made your experience feel personal and effortless. We’re also glad the weather stayed on your side for those stunning views of the castle! We’ll be sure to pass your thanks to your driver as well. We hope the memories of Narai-juku stay with you for a long time to come. Warm regards, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
A very nice experience. Good informative day . Endo our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable. His lunch suggestion was very good. All in all a great day and good memories Soni
Hello Soni! Thank you for choosing us for your adventure in Nagano. We’re so pleased that Endo-san could help make your day informative and memorable. Finding the right lunch spot is such an important part of the journey, so we're happy that worked out so well for you! We appreciate the review and wish you many more great travel experiences.
Endo-san was very welcoming and explained the highlights of Matsumoto castle and Narai-juku wonderfully. It was great having transport there and back as they are some ways away from Nagano city! Would def recommend :)
Dear Kirsten, Thank you so much for the recommendation! We are thrilled to hear you had a great day exploring Matsumoto and Narai-juku with us. Those locations are beautiful, but they can be a bit of a journey to navigate on your own from Nagano city! We’re so glad our transport made the day feel seamless for you. Endo-san was delighted to hear your kind words; he loves bringing the history of the castle and the old postal towns to life. We hope you have many more wonderful adventures in Japan! Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
While the weather happened to be rather nasty, snow monkey resorts with Jens were both welcoming and warm :) We have visited matsumoto and Kiso Valley. Going with SMR allowed us to rest a bit on our longer journey - we departed on a comfortable bus from our hotel and was brought to the same place afterwards. We enjoyed the trip and all the valuable info we got. Our kids were happy as well.
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for the review! We are so glad that we could provide a warm and welcoming escape from the nasty weather. Sometimes those snowy or rainy days in the Kiso Valley have a beauty all their own, but they are definitely better enjoyed when you have a comfortable bus to return to! Jens was delighted to hear that your family enjoyed the trip. He loves sharing the history of Matsumoto and the post towns, and he was especially happy to hear that the kids were kept entertained and happy throughout the day. We’re glad we could provide a bit of rest for you during your longer journey through Japan. Safe travels to you and your family! We hope to welcome you again in the Nagano area, or elsewhere in Japan, soon! Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
A wonderful day with our guide Endo visiting Matsumoto Castle and the Edo period town of Narai-juku. Absolutely fascinating and a must do if you’re in the Nagano area
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for the review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed your day of endless old-time Japan. There is something truly special about walking through Narai-juku and feeling like you’ve stepped back into the Edo period. Endo was delighted to hear your feedback. He loves sharing the architectural history of Matsumoto Castle and the stories of the old Nakasendo road. We are so glad you consider this a must-do for the Nagano area! Now that you’ve seen our historical side, we would love to welcome you back to explore more of Japan's other experiences with us in the future. Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
Came with my family. Endo (I hope I spelled this correctly) was good. He even took as to a secret viewing spot to see Matsumoto castle from the top. The pace of the tour was great too. We enjoyed the tour very much.
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for the review! Endo was absolutely delighted to hear that your family had such a chill but awesome day. We believe the best way to enjoy the history of Narai-juku and Matsumoto is at a relaxed pace, so we’re glad the timing felt just right for your family. Now that you’ve explored our historical side, we would love to welcome you back to Nagano or show you around other parts of Japan through our various experiences from now on! Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
Great one-day trip from Nagano to Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku. The itinerary was well balanced, combining an iconic historical site with a beautifully preserved post town. Our guide was excellent – very knowledgeable, well organized, and spoke clear, fluent English. Everything ran smoothly and at a relaxed pace. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience traditional Japan in a single day.
Dear Rajeva, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled that our Matsumoto and Narai-juku tour provided that perfect glimpse into traditional Japan for you. We take great pride in making sure the history is clear and engaging, and they’ll be so happy to know you appreciated the relaxed pace of the day. There is something truly special about the contrast between the "Crow Castle" and the wooden streets of Narai-juku, and we’re glad you got to experience both so smoothly. We hope the rest of your time in Japan is just as memorable! Please join us again for another adventure whenever you return. Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
Perfect tour 👍 thx to our guide. Small group and very confortable van
Dear Lauren, "Must do once in life"—wow, thank you so much for such a powerful compliment! We are honored that our Matsumoto and Narai-juku tour made such a lasting impression on you. We are thrilled that you enjoyed the comfort of our van and the intimacy of the small group setting. Our guide was so happy to hear your thanks; they love sharing the Old Japan atmosphere of the Nakasendo road with our guests. We hope those memories of the castle and the post-town stay with you for a lifetime! We hope to welcome you back again to Nagano or some other part of Japan soon! Warmly, The Snow Monkey Resorts Team
