Matsumoto And Narai-Juku: Travel Tips
Matsumoto is a city in Nagano prefecture, Japan. It is famous for the marvelous Matsumoto Castle, one of the biggest samurai castles in Japan. The city center also hosts Nakamachi-dori and Frog Street, two well-preserved shopping streets that retain classical Japanese architecture.
Narai-Juku is an old post town located in the antique Nakasendo, the route that connects Tokyo to Kyoto. Samurai and noble families used this route during the Edo period (1600-1868) to travel between the two cities. The town is well-preserved, and walking here feels like going back to the samurai era.
Since the two towns are very close to each other, they are best visited together as a set during the weekend. I would also recommend spending the night at a homestay in Narai-juku, where you will be able to sleep in an authentic historical Japanese house.
How to get to Matsumoto and Narai-juku
Reaching Matsumoto from Tokyo is very easy. You can just board the JR limited express train Azusa from Shinjuku station and get off at Matsumoto station. The whole trip takes 2 hours and 50 minutes and costs around 6500 Yen. You can also reach Matsumoto via bus from Shinjuku with Willer Express. Prices start at 3000 Yen one way for a 4-hour ride to Matsumoto.
Narai-juku can be easily accessed via train from Matsumoto. The JR Chuo line connects Matsumoto and Narai-juku via train in less than 1 hour and costs only 590 Yen. Lastly, direct connections via bus between Tokyo Shinjuku bus terminal and Narai-juku are also available with Willer Express.
Things to do
- Spend a day in Narai-juku strolling around the nakasendo route. Shopping in the many souvenir shops and try local food in one of the many family-owned restaurants here. I recommend trying Soba and Katsudon on the main street of Narai-juku. Some rest areas also serve Manju (Japanese sweets with bean jam) and hot tea.
- Sleep at night in a homestay in Narai-juku. You will feel the atmosphere samurai era and experience life in an authentic Japanese historical home!
- The following day visit Matsumoto. First, visit the majestic Matsumoto castle. I recommend trying to see the castle from different perspectives for great photos! Bonus tip: you can get nice pictures of the castle reflecting on the water from behind the castle moat!
- Lunch in one of the many soba restaurants on Nakamachi Street. In the afternoon visit Frog Street and Matsumoto city centre. If you like art and in particular Yayoi Kusama the Matsumoto City Art Museum is also recommended!
- Eat dinner in some of the best izakayas in central Japan. The area in front of Matsumoto station is full of great places to dine! Make sure to try the Sanzoku-yaki, fried chicken in Nagano style!
