Local Guide
Let's check the temperature and clothes in Matsumoto

Matsumoto is well known as the castle town of Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure that looks great against the clear blue sky.
It is the most extensive area in Nagano Prefecture, including the Chubu-Sangaku National Park and Yatsugatake Chushin-Kogen National Park, and a basin at an elevation of 600 meters surrounded by the 3000-meter-high mountains of the Hida Range (Northern Alps), with an average annual temperature of 12.2 degrees Celsius.
It is characterized by large seasonal temperature differences (see temperature chart: maximum temperature: 31.3°C / minimum temperature: -5.5°C).

Matsumoto Basin has many "sunny days" and the Hida Mountains (Northern Alps) block the snow clouds, so there is not much snowfall.
Although Matsumoto has a basin climate with little rainfall throughout the year, it is cool in summer due to the winds blowing down from the mountains, and although there is little snowfall in winter, the area is severely cold.

Matsumoto's Temperature and Clothing

In mid-April, someiyoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees around Matsumoto Castle begin to bloom, and the temperature rises dramatically from March to May, but visitors should be aware of the temperature difference between morning and evening.

The average temperature in March and April is about 3~4 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature in Tokyo, but the lowest temperatures in March and April can be as low as winter, so it is recommended to bring winter clothes such as sweaters, functional innerwear, knit caps, and scarves, and a jacket for the Golden Week holidays.
If you are going to Norikura Kogen, Kamikochi, or other areas outside of the city, there is still snow on the ground, so be creative in keeping warm by wearing down jackets and inner layers.

In early summer, azaleas in Utsukushi-ga-hara Plateau and mountain hydrangeas at Konchoji Temple bloom, and there are many sunny days as the rainy season does not affect the area much.

In July and August, the temperature in the city area often rises above 30°C (86°F), but in the evening, the temperature drops due to the wind blowing from the Northern Alps, so it rarely becomes a tropical night.

Morning and evening temperatures become cooler, so it is recommended that you bring lightweight long sleeves.
When visiting high altitude areas such as Utsukushigahara Plateau and Norikura Plateau, do not forget to bring equipment to cope with wind and rain, as the weather can easily change suddenly.

Usually, the autumn foliage in the highland areas begins in early October, and the urban areas, such as Matsumoto Castle, are usually at their best in late October.
Summer is short and autumn appears in September, with average high temperatures reaching nearly 20°C in October and winter temperatures in November.

We recommend that you dress for winter early, such as knitwear, jackets, and scarves in October when you go to the highland areas to see the autumn leaves, or in the city center in October, and a heavy coat or down jacket and disposable body warmer in November to prepare for sudden cold weather.

Even if there is no snow in the city area, there are ski resorts in Norikura Kogen and Nomugi Touge, which are easily accessible and allow you to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

Norikura Kogen's "ice falls" are also a natural beauty unique to this frigid area.
Therefore, visitors should expect temperatures in the single digits in December and below freezing in January and February.

This is also a good season for day trips to hot springs such as Shirakone Onsen and Utsukushi-ga-hara Onsen. Be sure to have a thick layer of functional innerwear, warm clothes, scarves, gloves, knit hats, and other accessories.

The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.