Top 10 Half-day Tours in Matsumoto

Destination: Matsumoto.
Explore the city and its surroundings on this off-the-beaten-path bike tour! Far from the Japanese metropolises, enjoy a deep breath of fresh air and the magnificent landscapes of Matsumoto City. Ride an electric bicycle with your guide through the countryside of Matsumoto and discover the main historical sites of the city while enjoying a country ride through the vast fields surrounding the city. The ideal experience for all cycling enthusiasts! Matsumoto is centered in the Japanese countryside and is the ideal place to get on a bicycle for an exploration of the city and its surroundings! Beyond the city built around its historic castle, Matsumoto offers all kinds of magnificent rides. Explore the city's historic sites, take a deep breath of fresh air, as you cycle around the city, past rice fields and admire the beautiful and traditional Japanese farmhouses. You will not fail to marvel at the beauty of the landscapes, with the vast and spectacular Japanese Alps as a backdrop.
Known For: Matsumoto Private and Luxury, Matsumoto Mountain Bike Tours, Matsumoto E-Bike Tours, Matsumoto City Tours, Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Nature and Wildlife Tours, Matsumoto Small Group.
Duration: Around 4 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Discover Matsumoto on a relaxed private walking tour that blends samurai history, charming streets and local flavors. Meet your guide at Matsumoto Station and step back in time at Matsumoto Castle, a 16th-century national treasure. Climb its wooden stairways, feel the atmosphere of the tatami-lined rooms, and enjoy panoramic views from the castle keep while hearing stories from Japan’s feudal era. After the castle, your guide will lead you through Matsumoto’s old town. Stroll along lively Nawate Street, known as “Frog Street,” and the elegant Nakamachi district with its well-preserved kura-style merchant houses. Along the way, your guide will point out favorite snack shops and a cozy, family-run sake bar where you can sample regional specialties and sake at your own expense. The tour finishes back in central Matsumoto, close to the station, so you can continue exploring on your own or catch your next train after a memorable afternoon in one of Japan’s most atmospheric castle towns.
Known For: Matsumoto Architecture Tours, Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Private and Luxury, Matsumoto Historical Tours, Matsumoto Private Sightseeing Tours, Matsumoto Sake Tasting, Matsumoto Food & Drink.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Have an unforgettable journey from central Tokyo to Yokohama, where you'll visit the car meet-up and hear firsthand experiences and unique stories. Your adventure begins in the heart of Tokyo. We'll hit the legendary Wangan for a scenic C1 loop, with brief stops at street racing hotspots. Then, we'll cruise along the Bayshore Route, passing through the iconic Rainbow Bridge on your way to Yokohama to witness amazing cars and meet their passionate owners. Your night will span approximately 3 hours where you'll feel like you are hanging out with a local friend. The best part? We'll provide a drop-off back to central Tokyo! Experience genuine car culture as we show you an authentic night out with a local, focusing on delivering a COMPLETE experience, not just a glimpse of cars at Daikoku.
Known For: Matsumoto Historical Tours, Matsumoto Bus Tours, Matsumoto Car Tours, Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Cultural Tours, Matsumoto Private Sightseeing Tours, Matsumoto New Product.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Explore the most iconic and hidden spots in the heart of Tokyo with a local guide. After leaving the first bar, you will embark on a photography tour of some of the most iconic yet lesser known spots in the heart of Tokyo. Your English-speaking local Japanes guide/driver will take photos of each spot and share information only a local would know. So when you finish the tour, you will not only have great photos, but also some local knowledge about each spot.
Known For: Matsumoto Bus Tours, Matsumoto Car Tours, Matsumoto Night Tours, Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Photography Tours, Matsumoto Private Sightseeing Tours, Matsumoto New Product.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Discover a real feudal era castle and the historical streets! Matsumoto is a city with deep-rooted living traditions and proud people who retain an ancestral way of life that we have to honor and respect! Get an introduction into Matsumoto’s past and present during a 3 hour half-day walking tour. Make your stay in Matsumoto the most unique and enjoyable experience possible! Your guide will help you enjoying the best of the city. Our half-day Matsumoto Castle Town Walking Tour is designed to reveal the living traditions of our city by following a different route to and from the castle, and in doing so, bring the history and tradition of the famous castle town to life! Take more than just a tour, discover ancient history and wisdom, have a unique and enlightening experience! Get a glimpse of all there is to explore in Matsumoto City!
Known For: Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto Top Product, Matsumoto City Tours, Matsumoto Excellent Quality, Matsumoto Private and Luxury, Matsumoto Historical Tours, Matsumoto Half-day Tours.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Your chance to become a Samurai while visiting Matsumoto Castle! What better place to have your samurai experience than in a city with an authentic castle from the feudal era? First take a tour of Matsumoto Castle designated a “National Treasure” of Japan due to its well-preserved original structure! During the tour, you will learn about the Matsumoto Samurai lords, the history of Matsumoto City and even some of the castle's defensive strategies. Then experience a live hands-on Samurai Sword Fighting activity! A Master Samurai will teach you some of these ancient fighting techniques. You can choose your own colors for your outfit which consists of a yukata (light kimono), hakama (wide-leg pants), and obi (belt). You can even select your swords! The stage and the atmosphere of the place is bound to take you on a realistic journey back in time. The perfect setting for a complete immersion into this slice of Japanese history!
Known For: Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto Top Product, Matsumoto Excellent Quality, Matsumoto Private and Luxury, Matsumoto Historical Tours, Matsumoto Best Conversion, Matsumoto Half-day Tours.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Fed by pure spring water, Matsumoto is a city where the nature of the Northern Alps, refined craft traditions, and the quiet dignity of an old castle town come together in harmony. This gentle walking route from Matsumoto Castle to Yohashira Shrine, then onward to Nakamachi Street and Nawate Street, offers an unhurried immersion into landscapes shaped by history and aesthetics. Visits to a long-established sake brewery and a famous local spring invite you to taste the flavors born from Matsumoto’s exceptional water—a refined urban stroll that reveals the city’s true character.
Known For: Matsumoto Private Sightseeing Tours, Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Cultural Tours, Matsumoto Historical Tours.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
This tour is designed to meet the needs of those who have limited time in Tokyo, want to relax at their hotel, but also want to do some sightseeing! By touring Tokyo with a private guide who is well versed in Tokyo's history, culture, and art, you will be able to smoothly explore the history and culture of the major areas of Tokyo while also experiencing art. The key to this tour is that you can customize the route as you wish. For those who are anxious about being in unfamiliar place and want to have an in-depth experience that cannot be obtained from mere guidebooks or information websites, we will do our utmost to ensure that you enjoy your trip to Japan to the fullest! This tour is led by a nationally certified interpreter-guide. The itinerary is an example. Please check the sample tour and let us know some of your requests! We will arrange the best route for you. Basically, a private car will be provided for this tour, but please inquire if you would like a walking tour.
Known For: Matsumoto Private Sightseeing Tours, Matsumoto Private and Luxury, Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto Day Trips, Matsumoto Bus Tours, Matsumoto New Product, Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Cultural Tours, Matsumoto Car Tours, Matsumoto Art Tours, Matsumoto Historical Tours.
Duration: Around 6 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Gotokuji & Shimokitazawa Day Tour – Tokyo’s Hidden Gems Discover the spiritual charm of Gotokuji Temple, the birthplace of Japan’s Beckoning Cat, and explore the trendy streets of Shimokitazawa, known for vintage shops, cozy cafés, and live music. This relaxed day tour offers a perfect mix of culture, creativity, and local Tokyo vibes—ideal for those seeking a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience.
Known For: Matsumoto Fashion Tours, Matsumoto Rail Tours, Matsumoto Fashion Shows, Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Cultural Tours, Matsumoto Private Sightseeing Tours, Matsumoto New Product.
Duration: Around 4 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Unlike a typical city jog or sightseeing walk, this experience blends trail running with storytelling. You’ll run through Matsumoto’s quiet backstreets, past the Yayoi Kusama Art Museum, the old Agata school park, and up the forested trails toward the ruins of Hayashi Castle — a forgotten fortress overlooking the Northern Alps. Along the way, I’ll share local insights about Matsumoto’s samurai past, mountain culture, and modern art scene, showing how nature and history meet in one 15 km loop. It’s designed for intermediate runners who want more than just a workout — a cultural journey on foot through one of Japan’s most atmospheric castle towns without actually going to the famous castle.
Known For: Matsumoto Half-day Tours, Matsumoto Running Tours, Matsumoto Adventure Tours, Matsumoto Small Group.