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 Avenue: Corridor of Light” event will be held for 10 days, starting three days after the official announcement of the cherry blossom blooming.
The castle keep and the cherry blossoms in the Honmaru Garden will be illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.
In addition, the “Night Cherry Blossom Festival” will be held for 8 days within the Honmaru Garden; we recommend enjoying the nighttime cherry blossoms with a traditional tea ceremony and hanami dango.

▼ Cherry Blossom Avenue: Corridor of Light
・Dates: 3 days after the Matsumoto Castle Management Office’s official blooming announcement, for 8 days (early to mid-April)
*In 2026: Thursday, April 2 – Thursday, April 9
・6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
・Location: Cherry blossom-lined paths along the outer moat of Matsumoto Castle, etc.
・Inquiries: 0263-36-2002 (Executive Committee for the Illumination of the Cherry Blossom-Lined Paths at Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure / c/o TV Shinshu)

▼ Night Cherry Blossom Festival
・Dates: 3 days after the Matsumoto Castle Management Office’s official bloom announcement through 8 days thereafter (early to mid-April)
*In 2026: Thursday, April 2 – Thursday, April 9
・5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
・Location: Honmaru Garden, Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure)
・Admission: The Honmaru Garden is open free of charge during the event hours. *Visitors cannot climb the castle keep.
・Inquiries: 0263-32-2902 (Matsumoto Castle Management Office)
・Notes: The cherry blossoms at the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Keep and the Honmaru Garden will be illuminated. Within the Honmaru Garden, a tea ceremony will be held, and stalls selling hanami dango (operated by the Matsumoto Old Castle Association) as well as the permanent gift shop will be open.

▼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.

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The cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the water in the moat are wonderful. An ethereal world of light unfolds.

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

As the wisteria, azaleas, water lilies, irises, and satsuki azaleas that adorn the grounds finish blooming and midsummer approaches, the “National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Taiko Festival”—the summer’s biggest event—takes place.
Every year on the last Saturday and Sunday of July, a special stage is set up in Matsumoto Castle Park—the main venue—and the sounds of Japanese taiko drumming 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.

In addition, Matsumoto Castle offers a variety of summer events, including the “Takigi Noh” (firewood Noh), performed on a special stage at the site of the former Ninomaru Palace, and “Free Admission for Visitors in Traditional Attire,” where admission to Matsumoto Castle is free for those wearing yukata or jinbei.

▼National Treasure Matsumoto Castle “Taiko Festival”
Date and Time: July 25 (Sat) and 26 (Sun), 2026
5:30 PM – 8:40 PM (Admission begins at 5:00 PM)
Location: Main Stage, Matsumoto Castle Park (National Treasure)
Admission: Free
Inquiries: 0263-34-8307 (Matsumoto City Tourism Brand Division)

▼Takigi Noh (Hosho School), Kyogen (Okura School)
Date and Time: Sat, August 8, 2026 *Cancelled in case of rain
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM, performance begins at 6:00 PM) (tentative)
Location: Special Stage at the Site of the Ninomaru Palace, Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure)
Admission: Free
Notes: As the Northern Alps are bathed in the crimson glow of sunset, a fire-lighting ceremony will be held at the site of the Ninomaru Palace. This event creates a unique sense of unity between the stage and the audience, characteristic of outdoor Noh performances.

▼Free Admission for Visitors in Traditional Japanese Attire
During the extended summer hours, admission to Matsumoto Castle (a National Treasure) is free for visitors wearing traditional Japanese attire (yukata or jinbei).
Dates: August 8 (Sat) – 16 (Sun), 2026 *Summer extended hours period
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
Note: The stairs inside the main keep are steep, and some sections may be 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.

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Enjoy powerful performances by taiko drum groups from all over Japan, one after another, as Matsumoto Castle is illuminated.

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.

From November 3 through November 10—which is “Matsumoto Castle Day”—the event is known as “National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Week,” featuring various events and attracting the largest crowds.

▼Shinshu Matsumoto Soba Festival
Dates: October 10 (Sat) – 12 (Mon, Holiday), 2026
Location: Matsumoto Castle Park and other venues
Admission: Free
Inquiries: 0263-33-8002 (Shinshu Matsumoto Soba Festival Executive Committee Secretariat)
Notes: http://www.sobamatsuri.jp/index.html

▼Chrysanthemum Exhibition
Dates: Late October to Early November 2026
8:30 AM–5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
Location: Matsumoto Castle Park
Admission: Free

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.

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The Matsumoto Soba Festival will be held at Matsumoto Castle, where many soba restaurants boasting of their excellent taste will gather! This is a fun event where you can compare the taste of soba in the home of soba. Autumn produce, local food, and B-class gourmet foods from Shinshu are also on sale.

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, “warabocchi” will be placed around approximately 50 flowering shrubs, such as Ogasawara peonies, and “yukitsuri” will be hung on the pine trees.
“Warabocchi” refers to a winter shelter made by stacking layers of straw in a dome shape to protect plants. “Yukitsuri” is a technique of stretching ropes to protect tree branches, unique to snowy regions. These are beloved as winter traditions at 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
Dates: December 2026 – around February 2027
Location: National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Main Keep

▼National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival 2027
URL: https://matsumoto-kacchin.jp/ice-festival
Dates: Late January 2027
Location: Matsumoto Castle Park and other locations
Admission: Free admission to Matsumoto Castle Park and the Honmaru Gardens *A fee applies to climb the main keep

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

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The ice sculpture production process will be open to the public. As the temperature rises, the ice gradually becomes less transparent, melting and cracking, so the best time to visit is as early in the morning as possible.