Top 10 Small Group 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.
An immersive experience into Japanese cuisine! Buckwheat has long been grown in Matsumoto, lending to its well-established tradition of Soba noodle making. This part of the country is famed as the destination for getting the best serving of Soba and so happens to be the locally Matsumoto City as well. But that's not all with the discovery of fresh authentic Wasabi of the region that awaits you! - Learn a traditional Japanese culinary art from a master As our Soba master says, “Nothing tastes better than soba noodles made with your very own hands.” While Soba is a simple dish by itself, making the noodles from scratch is a challenge that combines culinary art with precision knife handling and a dash of Japanese discipline. - Discover all the secrets of real Wasabi The real taste of Wasabi is not what you find in plastic tubes. Yes, the flavor of real Wasabi is just as spicy, but much fresher and more nuanced than the store-bought kind!
Known For: Matsumoto Restaurants, Matsumoto Food & Drink, Matsumoto Small Group, Matsumoto Cooking Classes, Matsumoto Lunch, Matsumoto Dining Experiences.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Begin in Kamikochi amid alpine peaks, clear rivers, and quiet forest trails. From Matsumoto or Nagano, we aim to arrive before the busiest hours—when the air is crisp and the scenery feels serene. Skip the bus lines with a direct ride to Kamikochi’s central parking. Enjoy a riverside walk from the Kappa Bridge area toward Taisho Pond, with your guide sharing nature insights along the way. Walk at a relaxed pace with time for photos, viewpoints, and a flexible lunch break—a simple packed lunch works best. Later, visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s oldest original wooden castles. With pre-arranged admission, explore the interior and grounds while your guide adds helpful context and local stories. Designed as a premium small-group tour, this day blends mountain stillness with cultural depth—ideal for travelers who value calm, beauty, and discovery. Autumn peak season: Matsumoto 8:00 AM departure only due to congestion in Kamikochi.
Known For: Matsumoto Architecture Tours, Matsumoto Small Group, Matsumoto Nature and Wildlife Tours, Matsumoto Day Trips, Matsumoto Nature Walks, Matsumoto Bus Tours, Matsumoto Full-day Tours, Matsumoto Top Product, Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto New Product.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Enjoy sake-tasting odyssey at a historic brewery run by very friendly owners. Immerse yourself in the nuances of local sake flavors, gaining insights into the meticulous brewing techniques that define Nagano's rich sake culture. Taste Japanese pickles made by the owners and you will be served nice hot green tea after Sake tasting. There is a fresh well water, which is used to make the Sake here just in front of the Sake brewery. You can draw up fresh water from the well and enojy it later in you hotel. Visit the lively Nawate Street, affectionately known as Frog Street to enjoy local street. After Nawate street, delve into history at Nakamachi Shopping Street, an Edo-period avenue adorned with well-preserved merchant houses. Explore quaint shops and cafes, absorbing the echoes of Matsumoto's past. Reflect on a day filled with Matsumoto's medieval grandeur and modernity as the tour concludes at Matsumoto Station and aslo you can explore more about Matsumoto city after this tour.
Known For: Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto Small Group, Matsumoto Historical Tours, Matsumoto Food & Drink, Matsumoto New Product, Matsumoto Sake Tasting.
Duration: Around 2 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
This type of Tour is for those who are interested in having a custom tour in Kamikochi and/or Norikura. For these tours we offer full day Kamikochi Tours to Kappa Bridge, Kamikochi+Norikura frozen waterfall combination tours, and other tours upon request. Starting times and finishing times can be adjusted. We can also pick you up at your hotel (Norikura, Shirahone, Sawando area only) or at certain bus stops (Oyakodaki, Sawando, Nakanoyu) if you are traveling from Matsumoto or Takayama. **IMPORTANT Notice: Arriving to Kappa Bridge is not guarunteed depending on physical fitness, time schedule, and for those coming by Bus. If you want a higher chance at arriving at Kappa Bridge we must start earlier at around 8:00am. For an 8:00am start you must stay in Norikura prior to the Tour or come by rental car to NORHTSTAR. There is no early bus that arrives at this time. Please plan accordingly. Guides will make the final decisions on the trail regarding when to turn back.
Known For: Matsumoto Small Group, Matsumoto Winter Sports, Matsumoto Snowshoeing.
Duration: Around 6 hours.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Explore the hidden winter wonderland of Kamikochi on a guided 7 km snowshoe hike. Follow local experts through quiet tunnels to the shimmering Taisho Pond and along the Azusa River to Tashiro Pond. With dramatic alpine views and no crowds, this is a once-in-a-season way to see Japan’s Northern Alps.
Known For: Matsumoto Snowshoeing, Matsumoto Small Group, Matsumoto Winter Sports.
Duration: Around 5 hours.

Destination: Nagano.
Discover Matsumoto on this full-day tour through Japan’s historic heartland. Explore the black-walled Matsumoto Castle, a rare original fortress with deep samurai history. Visit a 150-year-old miso brewery for a guided tour and onigiri lunch. Stroll Japan’s largest wasabi farm, sampling wasabi ice cream and other treats. Taste local wines at a countryside vineyard, then end the day at the Ukiyo-e Museum, home to a major woodblock print collection. Led by a local guide, this small-group tour offers an authentic Matsumoto experience. ※ Depart from Nagano (8:00 AM / 8.5 hrs) or Matsumoto (9:30 AM / 6.25 hrs). Finish at either station. Luggage accepted only for one-way transfers between Nagano and Matsumoto (advance notice required). ・Matsumoto Castle ・Miso brewery tour & onigiri lunch ・Japan’s largest wasabi farm & local treats ・Local wine tasting in countryside vineyard ・Ukiyo-e Museum print collection ・Start/finish at Nagano or Matsumoto (luggage one-way only, notice required)
Known For: Nagano Day Trips, Nagano Plantation Tours, Nagano Culinary Tours, Nagano Full-day Tours, Nagano Likely to Sell Out, Nagano Likely To Sell Out, Nagano Spring Break, Nagano New Product, Nagano Private and Luxury, Nagano Food & Drink, Nagano Small Group, Nagano Bus Tours.

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.

Destination: Matsumoto.
On this 1-day walking tour, your guide will show you around one of Japan's best medium sized cities - Matsumoto. Set to a beautiful background of the Japanese Alps and blessed with hundreds of years of refined culture, there is a lot to do here. Starting with a trip to the City Museum to get a sense for the history of the area, your guide will then walk you by the famous Matsumoto Castle and the beautiful Former Kaichi School, both registered national treasures of Japan. You will even get to drink from some secret local wells! You will then have time for lunch and relaxation in the city's relaxing downtown, before heading to the local art museum, housing many works of Yayoi Kusama, who was born and raised in Matsumoto. To round out the day, you will have a chance to whisk your own Matcha!
Known For: Matsumoto Food & Drink, Matsumoto Small Group, Matsumoto Walking Tours, Matsumoto Coffee & Tea Tours, Matsumoto Cultural Tours, Matsumoto New Product, Matsumoto Full-day Tours, Matsumoto Private and Luxury, Matsumoto Art Tours.
Duration: Around 6 hours and a half.

Destination: Matsumoto.
Discover the breathtaking winter landscapes of Norikura Highlands, including frozen waterfalls, snow-covered forests, and panoramic mountain views that few travelers ever get to see. This snowshoe tour is not just a hike – it’s an immersive winter adventure tailored by a local guide to match your pace and interests. Whether you are an adventure seeker looking for a challenge or a family with children wanting a fun and safe activity, snowshoeing offers a memorable way to connect with nature. Guests often highlight the sense of peace in the quiet winter forest and the insider knowledge shared by the guide about the local environment and culture.
Known For: Matsumoto Winter Sports, Matsumoto Small Group, Matsumoto Snowshoeing.
Duration: Around 3 hours.