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

from $200.61

  • Meals included
  • Guide included
  • Entry fees included

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Highlights

  • Stroll through Japan's largest wasabi farm and taste unique treats
  • Immerse yourself in samurai history at the iconic Matsumoto Castle
  • Start/finish in Nagano or Matsumoto — luggage only for one-way transfers (advance notice required, otherwise not accepted).

About this experience

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What to expect

The predecessor of Matsumoto Castle was Fukashi Castle. At the beginning of the Muromachi period, Ogasawara Sadamune, a retainer of the Ashikaga Takahashi clan, was entrusted with the guardianship of Shinano, and the castle was built. In the 17th year of Tenten (1548), when Takeda Shingen of Kohi defeated Ogasawara Chang of Forest City, this place was used as a base for advancing from Higashi Shinano to Kitashinano. The scale of Shenzhi City gradually expanded. During this period, Kiso Yoshimao, Ogasawara Zhenzhong, Ogasawara Zhenqing, and Ogasawara Hidezheng served as the city lords of Shenzhi City respectively. After the fall of the Takeda clan, Ogasawara Masaki, who inherited his father's land, changed the name of Fukashi Castle to Matsumoto Castle. In the 18th year of Tensho (1590), Toyotomi Hideyoshi destroyed the Hojo clan in Odawara, entered Kanto, and transferred the city to Ishikawa. After that, Toyotomi received a salary of 80,000 stone and began to build a five-story and six-tiered tower. It was not until the era of Kang Chang, the son of Shuzheng, that it was finally completed (that is, the prototype of the existing Songyuan Castle). The Tsukimi and Tatsumi turrets used in the castle were built in the early Edo period. After that, he went through the Ogasawara clan, the Toda Matsudaira clan, the Horita clan, and the Mizuno clan. Matsumoto Castle is a typical flat city. The castles of Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru are roughly square. The tower is set in the southwest of Honmaru, surrounded by the concave Ninomaru lacking the north, and surrounded by the square Sannomaru on the outside.

What's included

  • English-speaking guide (small-group format)
  • Entry to Matsumoto Castle
  • Entry to the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
  • Tour of a traditional miso brewery with onigiri lunch
  • Wine tasting at a local countryside vineyard
  • Free time at Daio Wasabi Farm
  • Start/finish in Nagano or Matsumoto (luggage allowed)

Not included

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

Things to note

  • The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is closed on Mondays and substitute holidays.Items recommended to bring:CameraComfortable shoesWeather-appropriate clothingNot allowed items:Alcohol and drugsAlcoholic drinks in the vehicleBaby strollersDrinks in the vehicleFood i

Frequently asked questions

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