Works of art by Kusama Yayoi welcome visitors to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. (Photo: Matsumoto City Museum of Art)

In recent years, Matsumoto has also come to be known as a city of arts and crafts. The Matsumoto City Museum of Art, where the works of native avant-garde artist Kusama Yayoi are on permanent display, is a prime example. Crafts Fair Matsumoto, an annual market held in May that attracts pottery and woodwork artists and craft enthusiasts from all over Japan, has also become a must-visit scene amid the city’s lush greenery in springtime. Matsumoto is also home to a number of discerning independent galleries and shops offering high-end designs, so be sure to look through the selection to find your favorites.

When hunger strikes, try oyaki, a traditional local bun made of a wheat-based dough stuffed with paste made with vegetables or fruit. A stop for souvenirs at one of the city’s old and established snack shops is another fun way to pass the time. Tired feet will also appreciate a leisurely break at Marumo, a coffee shop with a nostalgic retro decor featuring Matsumoto folk craft tables and chairs.

Matsumoto retains the feel of a historic castle town, but it never feels old. Visitors are sure to enjoy the special charm of its blend of traditional and contemporary craft culture thriving amid the verdant natural surroundings.

Cohiludo is a popular restaurant that adds its own modern touch to the traditional oyaki. A great place to enjoy oyaki stuffed with Nozawana pickles, the restaurant’s specialty, or with cheese, apples, and many other ingredients.

Left: A long-established traditional sweets shop, Kaiun-do dates back to 1884. Its signature sweet, shinmito, is a Japanese-style nougat made of sugar, honey, and walnuts.
Right: Kissa Marumo is a coffee shop whose interior was designed with the help of the originator of the Matsumoto folk craft furniture style. People stop in for the shop’s original coffee blend, as well as its delicious homemade pudding.

Map of Matsumoto Area

①Matsumoto Castle②Former Kaichi School③Matsumoto City Museum of Art④Matsumoto Folk Craft Furniture Central Showroom⑤Galerie Kaigetsu⑥Cohiludo⑦Kaiun-do⑧Kissa Marumo

●Access

From Shinjuku Station, Matsumoto Station is about 2.5 hours by limited express on the JR Chuo Line.

●Contact information

Visit Matsumoto
The Official Travel Guide of Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
https://visitmatsumoto.com/