Today we’ll be exploring Matsumoto—a castle town that blends historical spots, nostalgic shops, and peaceful cafés. The castle gets most of the attention (and for good reason), but if you have a bit more time, there’s a lot else worth exploring.

Everything in the city portion of the itinerary is easily walkable. Later in the day, you’ll take a short bus ride to a nearby onsen town for a well-earned soak, either in a completely tattoo-friendly onsen or a private one if you prefer.

Recommended arrival time at the first location: 9:00 AM

Quick summary of the day:

• Ease into the day with a cozy café and the castle-town atmosphere

• Visit one of Japan’s most beautifully preserved original castles

• Explore antique shops, shrines, and traditional buildings tucked in side streets

• Try nostalgic sweets, local crafts, and low-key neighborhood finds

• Wrap up with a relaxing soak at a tattoo-friendly onsen (private options available)
  

Notes about restaurants:
Since everyone moves at their own pace, I’ve placed the food options along the way—so you can stop wherever feels right without worrying about timing.

NOTE: We’ll be skipping the “how to get there” section in this itinerary, since most of the day takes place in central Matsumoto. I’m assuming you’ll either be staying nearby or starting your day from Matsumoto Station—so we’ll jump straight into the first location.