To get to Matsumoto Castle, we booked a bus from Shinjuku at 9:50 AM to Matsumoto Bus Terminal. We then printed the documents and paid for them at the bus station just 30 minutes before departure, as we had been walking around looking for the station for a long time.

The bus stop map to Matsumoto in Shinjuku is the same as the bus stop to Kawakuchigo.

At the bus station, we crossed the street in front of the parked bus and walked down a small road for 100 meters to buy breakfast at Starbucks (we got lost and didn't have time to sit down and eat). We then returned to wait for the bus 10 minutes before it departed (we had just enough time to go to the bathroom at the ticket office).

Five minutes before the scheduled departure time, the bus we were going to take arrived. At 9:50 am sharp, the bus departed. Once on board, we were asked to sit according to the seat numbers on our tickets. More passengers boarded along the way. The bus made one stop for a 15-minute break, during which we could use the restroom, take photos, and buy snacks. It's important to remember the bus and the parking spot to avoid getting on the wrong bus and to arrive on time for departure.

The bus took about 3 hours to reach Matsumoto Station around 1:00 PM.

From the bus stop, walk back to the front of the train station to check in and leave your luggage at the Idaya Hotel.
We booked the hotel through Booking for a twin room at a price of 8,300 yen per night for 2 people.

After that, we made plans to meet up and find a place to eat near the hotel.

After lunch, we planned our walking route.

Starting from Matsumoto Station, we walked straight along Agatanomori Street to take pictures of the manhole covers.

Walk for about 3 traffic lights and you will see the Statue of Embisu. Turn left.

We've walked 400 meters, 700 meters left to the castle.

Walk straight along Honmachi Street and you will find a bridge over the river. (Before crossing the bridge, if you turn left, you will find the Matsumoto Timepiece Museum. The photos taken in the afternoon are backlit.) After crossing the bridge, on the right-hand side is Nawate Dori, or Frog Street. Stop and take a picture with the frogs. On the way back from the castle, the shops were almost all closed.

Walk straight through Yohashira shrine, stop for a photo, and then walk a little further to reach the castle.

Walk straight across the road and you will reach the castle entrance.

Let's take a picture of the front of the castle.

Let's buy tickets to go inside for 610 yen each. We'll come out and take pictures outside later.

Go through the door on the left and right sides of the door.

Go up to take pictures of the view from all 4 sides on the top floor of the castle. On the day I went, there were a lot of Chinese people. Be careful when walking up and down the stairs, as they are steep and narrow.

On the 4th floor of the castle, there are seats to rest and enjoy the view. I think the view from this side is the most beautiful.

Inside the castle, there are samurai outfits and various tools and equipment, similar to other castles.

Back down below, there are samurai to take pictures with.

We continue to take pictures outside the castle. The entrance to the castle where we walked out

Matsumoto Castle from various angles

Matsumoto Castle reflected in the water

Matsumoto Castle and the Red Bridge

The evening atmosphere at the castle. People are walking their dogs.

On the way back, I stopped to eat green tea ice cream.

The cart man came to sell it.

Visit Yohashira Shrine

I stopped by Nawate Dori, or Frog Street, for a stroll. Most of the shops were already closed.

From the bridge, you can see the Matsumoto timepiece museum

Take a walk and take some pictures.

After that, we went to PASCO department store to look for waterproof spare parts and had dinner before heading back.

Tomorrow we will go to see the Snow Wall.

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This review is part of the Snow Wall trip. Traveling by Airasia airline
Day 1 Arrived at Narita Airport at 19:00. We sent some of our luggage to Takayama and stayed at Narita Airport Resthouse tonight.
Day 2 We exchanged train tickets at Tokyo Station and took a bus from Shinjuku to stay and visit the castle Matsumoto
Day 3 We went to Japan Alpine early in the morning, visited the dam, took the cable car to the Snow Wall all day, and then went to sleep in Toyama
Day 4 In the morning, we visited Toyama Castle and in the afternoon we went to Hida Furukawa and in the evening we stayed and cycled around Takayama
Day 5 In the morning we went hiking at Kamikochi and then took a car and walked around Takayama
Day 6 We left early in the morning to walk around Shirakawako for half a day and in the afternoon we went to Kanazawa
We went to Higashi Chaya Districs and then to 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Day 7 In the morning, we visited Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle and in the afternoon we traveled to Osaka
Day 8 In the morning, we visited Nara and in the afternoon we came back to Osaka for shopping before returning tonight.