1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle

At Kamikochi, your guide will lead you on a comfortable 1.5 hour walk ending at its iconic Kappabashi Bridge and view of Mount Hotaka

Explore one of Japan's last remaining original castles and true treasures of Central Japan

Followed by an afternoon visit to Kamikochi - considered the jewel of the Chubu Sangaku National Park

This tour is capped at a maximum of 14 guests and we use our own transport all day - including direct access to and from Kamikochi, without the need of transfers and lining-up for public buses

Your day starts with a guided morning visit to Matsumoto's famous castle

Your guide will introduce you to the history and legend of the beautiful castle

Before heading to a 'soba' (buckwheat noodle) lunch at a nearby restaurant

It's then time to head high into the North Alps and onto the pristine oasis of Kamikochi

The pristine ecosystem of Kamikochi is a haven for wildlife

A comfortable walk of around 1.5 hours, your guide will introduce you to the story of Kamikochi while allowing plenty of time for photos

After your walk, you'll have time to relax by yourself around Kappabashi Bridge where there are restaurants and cafes to enjoy a drink and relax

If you want, you can walk a little further along the river and enjoy the stunningly clear waters of Kamikochi

... and if you're in luck, you might just catch the local monkeys along the way

Duration9h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 17 travelers

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Defined by its mountains and natural landscapes, Central Japan is the literal heartland of this beautiful country and a road less travelled by many international visitors. This engaging one-day tour takes you to Matsumoto Castle - one of the few remaining original castles in Japan and a registered National Treasure - before heading high into the grandeur of the North Alps and onto the protected alpine oasis of Kamikochi. Led by a locally-based guide and including lunch and direct transport to and from Kamikochi, this tour captures the essence of Central Japan by combining two of its most iconic destinations.

Options

Join & end in Nagano/Matsumoto

Pickup included

Join fm Nagano end in Takayama

Pickup included

What's included

Transportation to all listed destinations inc. direct access to/from Kamikochi
English-speaking guide
Entry to Matsumoto Castle & guided tour
Guided walk followed by free-time at Kamikochi

Lunch
Shinkansen or other onward travel tickets
Accommodation

What to expect

Matsumoto Castle
1h 15m · Admission ticket included

Your guide will lead you around the historic grounds of the castle while introducing you to its history, legends and secrets. Should you wish to, you can enter the castle itself and climb all the way to the top-floor of its six storeys or simply take the time to relax outside.
Nawate Shopping District
30m

Stroll through the streets of Nawate-dori, also known as “Frog Street”, which is home to more than 50 shops, restaurants, and cafes most famous for selling all things frog-related.
Kamikochi
3h

Situated 1500 meters above sea level deep within the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi is famous for its pristine natural state, beautiful rivers and ponds, lush forests, and dramatic mountain peaks rising to over 3000 meters. Your guide will lead you along a gentle walking trail starting at Taisho Pond and following the stunningly azure Azusa River, through mixed forest and onto to the parks famous Kappabashi (Kappa Bridge). Taking around 1.5 hours to complete the walk, you'll then have another 1.5 hours to yourself to grab a snack or coffee or walk a little further along the river. Set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Hodataka, Kamikochi never fails to thrill guests and is often listed as one of Japan’s best experiences.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

This tour offers three different pick up locations:
1. Hotel Kokusai 21 in Nagano City at 07:50
2. Nagano Station in front of the information board right across the bullet train exit gates at 08:15
3. Matsumoto Station At the West Exit of the station, in front of the taxi stand at 09:45.

Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour is scheduled to conclude at Matsumoto Station by 18:30 and return to Nagano Station by 20:00-20:15. However, we cannot guarantee the end time as traffic could cause delays. For guests booking onward tickets to other destinations, we recommend doing so for times of 19:00 or later from Matsumoto, and 20:45 or later from Nagano Station.
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.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (146)

From

28,000.00 JPY per person

Check availability & book

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
Instant confirmation
You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.

Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.) · Booked through Viator

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