Matsumoto Everything: Castle, Miso, Wasabi, Wine & Ukiyo-e

Name: Matsumoto Everything: Castle, Miso, Wasabi, Wine & Ukiyo-e
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 187.46 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.72 (11 reviews)

4.7 (11 verified reviews)

Matsumoto Castle's wooden interior and steep stairways

A traditional Nagano miso brewery and fermentation barrels

Daio Wasabi Farm's spring-fed canals and waterwheels

A countryside winery tasting in the Matsumoto area

Traditional Japanese woodblock prints at the Ukiyo-e Museum

About This Experience

Discover the highlights of Matsumoto and its surrounding countryside on a well-balanced full-day tour combining castle history, local food culture, rural scenery, Japanese wine, and traditional art.

This tour combines guided explanations, local experiences, and relaxed time to explore at your own pace. Your guide will introduce the background and highlights throughout the day, while some stops also give you time to enjoy each place independently.

Start from Nagano Station at 8:00 AM for an approximately 8.5-hour tour, or from Matsumoto Station at 9:30 AM for an approximately 6.25-hour tour.

Begin at Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s most iconic original castles and a designated National Treasure. After an introduction from your guide, enjoy approximately one hour to explore the castle and its grounds, including its wooden interiors, steep stairways, and views from the upper floors.

Next, visit a 150-year-old miso brewery and learn about traditional fermentation methods and the importance of miso in Japanese food culture. Afterward, enjoy a simple local lunch of freshly prepared onigiri and miso soup.

Continue to Daio Wasabi Farm, the largest wasabi farm in Japan. Your guide will introduce the main highlights before you enjoy free time to explore the spring-fed canals, waterwheels, and green wasabi fields. You can also try local snacks and browse regional souvenirs.

In the afternoon, visit a scenic winery for a casual tasting of locally produced Japanese wines. Your guide will introduce the wines and Nagano’s local wine culture. Guests who do not drink alcohol can still enjoy the vineyard atmosphere, mountain views, and winery shop.

Finally, visit the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, home to one of the world’s largest private collections of traditional Japanese woodblock prints. Discover artworks depicting travel, everyday life, landscapes, and popular culture from the Edo period, and gain a deeper appreciation of one of Japan’s most distinctive art forms.

The tour finishes at the same station where you started.

Highlights

Enter Matsumoto Castle smoothly and explore at your own pace
Visit a 150-year-old miso brewery and enjoy a handmade onigiri lunch
Enjoy free time at Japan’s largest wasabi farm and try unique local treats
Enjoy a casual tasting of local Japanese wine at a scenic countryside winery
Visit the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum and see iconic woodblock prints

What's Included

✓ Transportation between all tour locations
✓ Entry to Matsumoto Castle
✓ Visit to a traditional miso brewery and onigiri lunch
✓ Free time at Daio Wasabi Farm
✓ Casual tasting of local Japanese wine at a scenic winery
✓ Entry to the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
✓ English-speaking guide
✓ Small-group experience
✓ Start and finish at either Nagano Station or Matsumoto Station, according to the option booked

Not Included

Additional food & drinks (e.g. wasabi soft-serve, croquettes)
Bullet train tickets or travel before/after the tour

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes
Camera
Weather-appropriate clothing

Good to Know & Caveats

Please make sure your selected departure time matches your meeting point: 8:00 AM from Nagano Station or 9:30 AM from Matsumoto Station
Matsumoto Castle has steep and narrow wooden stairways. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Wine tasting is available only to guests aged 20 and over. Non-alcoholic options are available for guests who do not drink
The tour operates rain or shine. Please bring suitable clothing for the weather
The order and timing of stops may vary slightly depending on traffic, weather, and local conditions. Please allow some flexibility with the scheduled finishing time

Not Suitable For

Baby under 1 year
People with gluten intolerance
Wheelchair users
People with food allergies
People with back problems
Above 95 years old

Meeting Point

Nagano Station at 8:00 AM, or Matsumoto Station at 9:30 AM — depending on the departure option booked.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.7/5 by 11 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Masa speaks very well in English and was able to provide many historical details. he was able to show us around many different areas without feeling rushed. His tour was perfect for a small group and getting to enjoy many of the local specialties.
— Kyle, May 30,

This tour was phenomenal. Our guide was very informative and helpful. I recommend this fun adventure for anyone with a stop in Matsumoto. True to its name, this tour makes you feel like you’ve experienced a little bit of everything in Matsumoto.
— Mark, April 3

The guide was amazing!! He explained everything, and he was very friendly and helpful!! He took (beautiful) photos of us!! The tour was short; it was me, my husband, and another couple, which made the most of the time, with no delays. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it!!
— Daniela, April 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which starting point to use?

Yes — you can start from Nagano Station at 8:00 AM (about 8.5 hours total) or from Matsumoto Station at 9:30 AM (about 6.25 hours total). Make sure your booking matches your chosen departure point.

Is the wine tasting suitable for non-drinkers?

Wine tasting is limited to guests 20 and over (Japan's legal drinking age), but non-alcoholic options are available, and everyone can still enjoy the vineyard atmosphere and mountain views.