Verified in Japan

Matsumoto, Nagano / 国宝 松本城

Matsumoto Castle

A National Treasure and the oldest surviving five-tier, six-storey wooden castle keep. Visiting the keep means using only its narrow, steep stairs (about 140 steps, up to about 61 degrees); it has no barrier-free alterations, so wheelchairs cannot go inside. The keep is lit up from sunset to 22:00 all year, and "omotenashi-tai" in costumes such as ninja greet visitors in the Honmaru garden from 8:30 to 16:00.

Last official check

26 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

0

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

25 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there
Train / Bus
Admission
Paid (see the price below)
Closing days
Has closing days (see below)

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.

Opening hours

8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30); 10:00-15:30 on January 1-3.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Closed

Open every day except December 29-31.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Admission

Paid area including the keep: general 1,200 yen (e-ticket) / 1,300 yen (paper), elementary and junior high 400 yen, preschoolers free. Free for people with a disability certificate and one carer.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Getting there

About 20 minutes on foot from JR Matsumoto Station, or about 10 minutes on the "Town Sneaker" loop bus (north course) to Matsumotojo/Shiyakusho-mae.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking

No free parking; the nearest are the city's Matsumotojo-kita and Otemon car parks (about 8 minutes on foot to the Kuromon ticket office).

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Payment

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Accessibility

Free wheelchair loan at the Kuromon ticket office and elsewhere (no reservations). Wheelchairs cannot enter the keep; no elevator. Accessible toilets: 1 in the Honmaru garden, 2 in the park.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: Matsumoto, Nagano (Japanese address: 長野県松本市丸の内4番1号)

Official site: https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/

Location

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

Open in Google MapsGet directions

Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances. Some locations are approximate, so treat these distances as a rough guide.

Crowds

Crowd level

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Best time to visit

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Peak time

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Busiest days

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Busiest season

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Latest traveler report
None yet

Very crowded in busy periods such as Golden Week and Obon, when entry is restricted.Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

Visiting respectfully

  • PhotographyNo photography near the stairs inside the keep, for safety. Flying drones anywhere on the castle grounds (including the park) is prohibited unless specially permitted.Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • Local etiquetteNo shoes inside the keep (carry them in the bag given at the entrance). No pets in the Honmaru garden or keep (ask in advance about assistance dogs). No eating or drinking in the Honmaru garden. No smoking anywhere in the keep, garden or park.Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site

Verification log