[Spring] When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms at Matsumoto Castle? Information on the spectacular illuminations that change from day to night

In spring at Matsumoto Castle, approximately 300 Somei-yoshino, Kohigan, Yaezakura and weeping cherry trees are in full bloom, surrounding the castle tower and moat.
During the day, you can enjoy the scenery of spring with the snow-capped Northern Alps as a backdrop, and at night with the castle tower lit up. In normal years, the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom in early April and are at their best for about 10 days.

One thing not to be missed in the garden is the single weeping cherry tree.
It is said that when Kato Kiyomasa, the lord of Matsumoto Castle, visited the cherry blossoms, he tied his horse to the cherry blossoms, hence the name "Koma Tsunagi Sakura." As you can take photos with the castle tower in the background, it is one of the most popular spring photo spots.

The "Cherry Blossom Corridor of Light" will be held for 10 days starting three days after the cherry blossoms are declared to be in full bloom.
The castle tower and the cherry blossoms in the Honmaru garden are lit up, creating a fantastical atmosphere.
In addition, the "Yozakura-kai" (Cherry Blossom Night Party) is held for eight days in the Honmaru Gardens. At the Tsukimi Tower, you can enjoy flute and gagaku music performances, tea ceremonies, and cherry blossom viewing with rice dumplings at the food stalls.

▼桜並木 光の回廊
日時：松本城管理事務所による開花宣言の3日後〜10日間（4月上旬～中旬）
日〜木曜　18:30～21:00
金・土曜　18:30～22:00
場所：松本城外堀の桜並木等
お問い合わせ：0263-36-2002（国宝松本城桜並木ライトアップ事業実行委員会/テレビ信州内）

▼夜桜会
日時：松本城管理事務所による開花宣言の3日後〜8日間（4月上旬～中旬）
17:30～21:00
場所：国宝松本城本丸庭園
料金：開催時間中、本丸庭園を夜間無料開放  ※天守には登れません
お問い合わせ：0263-32-2902（松本城管理事務所）
備考：国宝松本城天守と本丸庭園の桜をライトアップされ、月見櫓では、三曲（箏・尺八）、フルート、雅楽の演奏が行われます。本丸庭園内では、お茶席（一席500円）が設けられ、花見団子の屋台（松本古城会）、常設売店の営業もあります。

▼Click here for details on spring events
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/spring
*The schedule and content may be changed or canceled.

[Summer] Matsumoto Castle enveloped in the majestic sounds of Japanese drums

When the wisteria, azaleas, water lilies, irises, and azaleas that adorn the gardens have finished blooming and midsummer arrives, the biggest event of the summer, the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Taiko Festival, is held.
For two days each year on the last Saturday and Sunday of July, a special stage is set up in the main venue, Honmaru Garden, where the sound of Japanese drum performances fill the air.

It is one of the largest Japanese drum events in the country, with around 20 groups from all over the country performing in perfect harmony. Every year, a famous professional performer active on the world stage is invited as a guest, and at the finale, they perform together with a local taiko group. The sight of the passionate performance unfolding with Matsumoto Castle as a backdrop is a spectacular sight.
During the day, there will be performances and drumming Experience in front of Matsumoto Station and around town, and the rhythm of the drums will echo through the summer city.

In addition, Matsumoto Castle holds a variety of events in the summer, such as the "Special Summer Opening of the Taiko Gate," which was built at the same time as the castle tower and restored in 1999, the "Takigi Noh" performances held on a special stage in the Honmaru Gardens, and the "Free Admission for Visitors in Kimono" event, which means that visitors wearing a yukata or jinbei can enter Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto City Museum for free.

▼National Treasure Matsumoto Castle "Taiko Festival"
Date and time: July 26th (Sat) and 27th (Sun), 2025
17:30-20:30 (Entry from 16:30)
Location: National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Honmaru Garden Special Stage
Admission: Free
Inquiries: 0263-34-8307 (Matsumoto City Tourism Brand Division)

▼ Takigi Noh "Hosho School"
Date and time: (Fri) August 8, 2025 *Cancelled in case of rain
17:30-20:30 (Opening 17:30, Start 18:00)
Location: Special stage at the site of the Ninomaru Palace of Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure
Admission: Free (only Honmaru Garden is free from 15:00 to 20:30)
Note: When the Northern Alps are dyed crimson red, a fire-lighting ceremony is held at the site of the Ninomaru Palace. This creates a sense of unity between the stage and the audience that is unique to outdoor Noh performances.

▼Free admission for visitors wearing kimono
If you come wearing traditional Japanese clothing (yukata or jinbei) during the extended summer hours, admission to the national treasure Matsumoto Castle will be free.
Date and time: August 9th (Sat) to 17th (Sun) 2025 *Extended summer hours
8:00-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Note: The stairs inside the castle tower are steep and difficult to climb in places.

▼Click here for details on summer events
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/summer
*The schedule and content may be changed or canceled.

[Autumn] When is the best time to see the autumn leaves at Matsumoto Castle? Recommended events and places to see in the fall

In September, autumn approaches and the cherry blossoms, maples, and zelkova trees begin to change color, painting Matsumoto Castle Park in vibrant autumn colors.
The best time to see the autumn leaves is usually around the end of October. The sight of the castle tower colored in autumn leaves and the surface of the moat reflecting the clear blue autumn sky is a refreshing sight.
The view from the castle tower is also wonderful, and you can see the peaks of the Northern Alps beginning to be covered in snow, as well as the autumn foliage of the mountains, including Utsukushigahara.

From late October to early November, the Chrysanthemum Exhibition is held, where hundreds of pots of large chrysanthemums compete for splendor, and we recommend taking a stroll around Matsumoto Castle Park.

On Culture Day on November 3rd, Matsumoto Castle hosts the Matsumoto Citizens' Festival, which includes a large-scale parade and other events, and is the most lively day of the year.

▼信州・松本そば祭り
日時：2024年10月12日(土)〜14日(月•祝)10:00〜16:00予定
場所：松本城公園内
入場料：無料
お問い合わせ：0263-33-8002(信州・松本そば祭り実行委員会事務局)
備考：http://www.sobamatsuri.jp/index.html

▼Chrysanthemum Exhibition
Date and time: October 27, 2024 (Sun)- November 11 (Mon)
8:30-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Location: TBA
Admission fee: Free

▼Hosatsu Kyudo Tournament
Date and time: November 3, 2024 (Friday/Holiday) 9:00-15:30
Location: Special venue at the site of the Ninomaru Palace
Price: Free

▼Click here for details on autumn events
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/autumn
*The schedule and content may be changed or canceled.

[Winter] When is the best time to see the snowy scenery? The contrast between Matsumoto Castle and the snow in winter

Matsumoto city does not get much snow, but from January to February, about 15cm of snow can be observed, creating a beautiful contrast between the black castle tower and the white snow.
We recommend the view from the southwest side of the park. The black of the clapboards, the white of the snow and plaster walls, and the vermilion of the Tsukimi Tower veranda create an exquisite combination of colors.

In the Honmaru Garden, about 50 flowering trees, including Ogasawara peonies, are decorated with "warabocchi" ornaments, and "yukizuri" ornaments are hung on the pines and Kirishima azaleas.
"Warabocchi" is a dome-shaped structure made of straw piled up in layers, used to protect plants in the winter. "Yukitsuri" is a method of stretching ropes to protect tree branches, unique to snowy regions. It is a familiar winter feature of Matsumoto Castle Park.

In winter, a variety of events are held with Matsumoto Castle as a backdrop. The National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival is a popular event that draws families, with artisans from all over the country gathering to compete through the night in the Ice Sculpture Competition and the Jumbo Ice Slide.

The view of Matsumoto Castle shining against the blue winter sky and the pure white snow-capped Northern Alps is particularly beautiful, making this a spectacular scenic spot.

▼National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival 2025
URL: https://visitmatsumoto.com/lightandicematsumoto/index.html#feastival
Date and time: January 24th (Fri)- 26th (Sun), 2025
Location: Matsumoto Castle Park, etc.
Admission: Free to Matsumoto Castle Park and Honmaru Gardens *Climbing the castle tower requires a fee

▼For details on winter events, click here
http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/event/winter
*The schedule and content may be changed or canceled.