Spring: When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms at Matsumoto Castle? Information on the spectacular lighting that changes from day to night

In spring, Matsumoto Castle is in full bloom with approximately 300 Someiyoshino cherry trees, Kohigan cherry trees, Yae cherry trees, and weeping cherry trees surrounding the castle tower and moat.
During the daytime, the view of the snow-covered Northern Alps can be seen in the background, and at night, the castle keep is illuminated by lights, creating a magnificent spring scene. In a normal year, someiyoshino cherry trees bloom in early April and are at their best for about 10 days.

Not to be missed in the garden is the lone weeping cherry tree.
It is called "Koma-tsunagi no sakura," which means "the cherry tree that connects pieces (horses)," derived from the legend that when Kiyomasa Kato visited, the lord of Matsumoto Castle connected the pieces (horses) together. The castle tower can be photographed in the background, making it one of the most popular photo spots in spring.

The "Cherry Blossom-Lined Path of Light" will be held for 10 days starting three days after the cherry blossoms are declared to be in bloom.
The cherry blossoms in the castle tower and Honmaru Garden will be lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
Also, the "Night Cherry Blossom Party" will be held in the Honmaru Garden for 8 days, with flute and Gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) performances in the Tsukimi Yagura, tea ceremony seats, and food stalls to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night with hanami dango (dumplings for cherry blossom viewing).

▼Cherry Blossom-lined Tree-Light Corridor
Date and time: 3 days after the Matsumoto Castle Management Office declares the cherry blossoms to be in bloom for 10 days (early to mid-April)
Sunday - Thursday 18:30 - 21:00
Friday and Saturday 18:30-22:00
Place: Cherry blossom trees along the outer moat of Matsumoto Castle, etc.
Inquiries: 0263-36-2002 (Matsumoto Castle Cherry Trees Lit Up Project Executive Committee/In TV Shinshu)

Night Cherry Blossom Party
Date and time: 3 days after the blooming of the cherry blossoms is declared by the Matsumoto Castle Management Office to 8 days (early to mid April)
17:30 - 21:00
Place: Honmaru Garden of Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure
Fee：The Honmaru Garden is open to the public free of charge at night during the opening hours *Temple keep cannot be climbed
Inquiries: 0263-32-2902 (Matsumoto Castle Management Office)
Remarks: The cherry blossoms of the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle keep and Honmaru Garden will be illuminated, and Sankyoku (koto and shakuhachi), flute, and Gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) performances will be held at the Tsukimi Yagura (moon-viewing tower). In the Honmaru Garden, there will be tea ceremony seats (500 yen per seat), a hanami dango stall (Matsumoto Old Castle Association), and a permanent store.

▼For more information on spring events, please visit
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/spring
Please note that the schedule and content may be subject to change or cancellation.

Summer: Matsumoto Castle is enveloped by the sound of Japanese drums.

The wisteria, azaleas, water lilies, irises, and satsuki azaleas that adorn the grounds of Matsumoto Castle are in full bloom, and when mid-summer arrives, the "Matsumoto Castle Taiko Festival," the largest summer event, is held.
For two days on the last Saturday and Sunday of July each year, a special stage is set up in the Honmaru Garden, the main venue of the festival, and taiko performances fill the air.

The festival is one of the largest taiko events in Japan, with approximately 20 groups from all over the country performing taiko in unison. Renowned professional performers from around the world are invited as guests each year, and the finale is a joint performance with a local taiko group. The performance is a spectacular sight to behold, with Matsumoto Castle in the background.
During the day, performances and taiko experiences are held in front of Matsumoto Station and throughout the city, and the rhythm of the taiko echoes through the summer city.

Matsumoto Castle also offers a variety of summer events, such as the "Summer Special Opening of the Taiko Gate," which was built at the same time as the castle tower was constructed and restored in 1999; "Takigi Noh (Noh Play)" performed on a special stage in the Honmaru Garden; and "Free Admission for Visitors in Japanese Clothing," which offers free admission to Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto City Museum to those wearing yukata or jinbei (a type of summer kimono).

▼ National Treasure Matsumoto Castle "Taiko Festival
Date: July 26 (Sat) and 27 (Sun), 2025
17:30 - 20:30 (Entrance from 16:30)
Place: Special stage in the Honmaru Garden of Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure
Admission: Free
Inquiries: 0263-34-8307 (in Matsumoto City Tourism Brand Division)

▼ Firelit Noh Play "Hosho-ryu
Date: August 8, 2025 (Fri) *to be cancelled in case of rain
17:30 - 20:30 (Opening 17:30, Performance begins 18:00)
Place: Special stage at the Ninomaru Palace of Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure
Admission: Free (Admission to Honmaru Garden only from 15:00 to 20:30)
Remarks: When the mountains of the Northern Alps turn red, a fire-opening ceremony will be held at the Ninomaru Goten (Palace) site. It creates a sense of unity between the stage and the audience that only an open-air Noh play can create.

Free admission for visitors in kimono
During the extended summer hours, admission to Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure, will be free for visitors dressed in kimonos (yukata and jinbei).
Date: August 9 (Sat) - 17 (Sun), 2025 *Extended summer hours
8:00-18:00 (last admission until 17:30)
Note: Some of the stairs inside the castle tower are steep and difficult to climb.

▼For more information on summer events, please visit
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/summer
*Schedules and details are subject to change or cancellation.

Autumn: When is the best time to see the autumn leaves at Matsumoto Castle? Recommended Autumn Events and Highlights

In September, Matsumoto Castle Park turns into a vivid autumnal color as the cherry blossoms, maples, and zelkova trees begin to change color.
Usually, the best time to see the autumn leaves is around the end of October. The moat reflects the clear blue autumn sky, and the castle keep is illuminated by the autumn leaves, creating a refreshing sight.
The view from the castle tower is also magnificent, offering a panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks of the Northern Alps, Utsukushi-ga-hara (Utsukushi-ga-hara Plateau), and other mountains in autumn.

From late October to early November, the Matsumoto Castle Park is the site of the "Kikka (chrysanthemum) Exhibition," where hundreds of large chrysanthemums compete in a spectacular display.

On November 3, Culture Day, the Matsumoto Citizens' Festival, which includes a large-scale parade and other events, is held at Matsumoto Castle, and the Matsumoto Castle Archery Festival and other events are held there, making it the busiest day of the festival.

▼ Shinshu Matsumoto Soba Festival
Date：No festival in 2025
Location：In Matsumoto Castle Park
Admission: Free
Inquiries: 0263-33-8002 (Shinshu Matsumoto Soba Festival Executive Committee Office)
Remarks: http://www.sobamatsuri.jp/index.html

▼Chrysanthemum Exhibition
Date: October 28 (Tue) - November 12 (Wed), 2025
8:30 - 17:00 (last admission by 16:30)
Location: to be determined
Admission: Free

▼ Dedication Archery Tournament
Date：November 3, 2025 (Mon) 8:40 - 15:30
Place：Special venue at the Ninomaru Goten site
Fee：Free of charge

For more information on autumn events, please visit
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/autumn
Please note that the schedule and content may change or the event may be canceled.

Winter: When is the best time to see the snowy scenery? Contrast of Matsumoto Castle and snow in winter

Although Matsumoto city center does not receive much snowfall, from January to February, about 15 cm of snow can be observed, providing a beautiful contrast between the black castle tower and the white snow.
The view from the southwest side of the park is recommended. The black of the clapboards, the white of the snow and plaster walls, and the vermilion of the moon-viewing tower's rim create an exquisite beauty of color.

In the Honmaru Garden, about 50 flowering plants, including Ogasawara buttons, are decorated with "warabotchi" and pine trees and Kirishimatsutsuji azaleas are decorated with "yukisuri" (snow hanging).
Straw baubochi are made by piling up layers of straw in the shape of a dome, and are used as winter enclosures to protect plants. Yuki-hanging" is a method of stretching ropes to protect the branches of trees, and is unique to snow country. It is a well-known winter tradition in Matsumoto Castle Park.

In winter, Matsumoto Castle is also the backdrop for a variety of events. The "Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival," where craftsmen from all over Japan gather to compete in an all-night ice sculpture competition, and the "Ice Jumbo Slide," are popular with families. Projection mapping is also held to decorate the night, offering an opportunity to enjoy light art only available in winter.

The view of Matsumoto Castle against the blue winter sky and the white snow-covered Northern Alps is spectacular.

Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping
URL: https: //matsumoto-kacchin.jp/illumination#projection-mapping
Date: December 13, 2025 (Sat) - February 15, 2026 (Mon)
Location: National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Keep
Time: 18:00 - 22:00

▼ Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival 2026
URL: https: //matsumoto-kacchin.jp/ice-festival
Date: January 24 (Sat) - 25 (Sun), 2026
Place: Matsumoto Castle Park, etc.
Admission: Free to Matsumoto Castle Park and Honmaru Garden *There is a fee to climb the castle tower.

▼For more information on winter events, please visit
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/winter
*Schedules and content are subject to change or cancellation.