Travel in Nagano
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle · 松本城
Enjoy Matsumoto Castle’s black keep and the moat in front of it. Walk outside the moat for exterior views, or enter the keep to explore wooden architecture. If stairs would be difficult, choose a walk outside the moat instead of interior sightseeing.
Castle combined-ticket conditions Official sources Official sources
Visitor information
Admission
Adult electronic timed-entry tickets cost 1,200 yen; on-site paper tickets cost 1,300 and are same-day tickets without selectable times. Ages 6–15 pay 400 with either ticket; preschool children aged five and under enter free. The online castle–City Museum combined ticket costs 1,500 per adult and is valid for two days. Choose a castle-entry time; combined tickets cannot be cancelled or amended after purchase.
Opening hours
Basic visiting hours are 08:30–17:00, last admission 16:30. Closed 29–31 December. Busy-period restrictions and summer extended hours follow official notices.
What to see at Matsumoto Castle
Black keep and moat scenery
Walking outside the moat offers views of the black keep together with the water. Start around the moat for a leisurely look at the exterior.
Matsumoto Castle: visiting information Matsumoto Castle: FAQs
How to get to Matsumoto Castle
From Matsumoto Station’s eastern Oshiro Exit, take Town Sneaker Northern Course bus 21 to Matsumoto Castle/City Hall. Head to southern Kuromon Gate for Honmaru entry. Walking from the station takes about 20 minutes. The red Uzumibashi bridge is not the Honmaru entrance.
Matsumoto Castle: access Matsumoto Castle: FAQs Alpico: Matsumoto Town Sneaker
Before you visit
Honmaru entrance at southern Kuromon Gate
Enter Honmaru through Kuromon Gate on the south side. The red Uzumibashi bridge does not provide entry; after enjoying that view, walk round to the entrance.
New Year and 2026 Golden Week hours
On 1–3 January, hours are 10:00–15:30, last admission 15:00. Existing 2026 Golden Week guidance lists extended hours of 08:00–18:00 on 25 April–6 May, last admission 17:30. Check the relevant notice for other years or summer extensions.
Questions about Matsumoto Castle
Does Matsumoto Castle’s keep have stairs?
Yes. Interior sightseeing requires climbing stairs. If stairs would be difficult, consider a walk outside the moat for keep views.
Official sources
- Castle combined-ticket conditions ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Matsumoto Castle: access ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Matsumoto Castle: FAQs ·
- Alpico: Matsumoto Town Sneaker ·
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