I’ve written about the Japanese Alps extensively on this site—where I stand on the region as a destination won’t be a secret to you if you’ve clicked around at all.
However, there are issues to be litigated apart from simply whether or not you should visit this part of Japan. And not just how many days to stay, whether or not to rent a car, how much to hike or climb or what time of year to go, though these are all of course important questions.
Today, I want to bring up one that’s even more fundamental: Whether Matsumoto or Nagano makes the best base for exploring the Japan Alps. The answer might not be as obvious as it seems!
Why Tourists Get Stuck Between Matsumoto and Nagano
Part of the confusion RE: Nagano vs Matsumoto? The fact that Matsumoto is technically in Nagano—well, Nagano prefecture. This leads some tourists to believe that the two are one in the same and choose Matsumoto not on merit, but by default. (Of course, as you’ll see, I would argue that it does win on merit in many cases, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. Stay tuned!).
On the flipside, some travelers decide to stay in Nagano City for dubious reasons. Some assume that Matsumoto is much further off the Shinkansen line than it actually is, or that Nagano has more worthwhile attractions because it is a larger city. The common thread here? A bit of simple research is all it takes to make a more informed decision. Even if that “research” is simply reading the rest of this article!
Ways to Compare Matsumoto with Nagano
Getting there and around
Each of these cities is connected directly to Tokyo: The Hokuriku Shinkansen travels directly from Tokyo and Ueno Stations to Nagano, while the Azusa Limited Express goes to Matsumoto from Shinjuku. Once there, both cities are pretty walkable, though Matsumoto is both smaller and flatter, which makes it a lighter lift in this regard.
Things to do
Likewise, both Nagano and Matsumoto are full of attractions, with one in each place standing out above the others. In Matsumoto, it’s Matsumoto Castle, which is one of just 12 remaining “original” castles in Japan. In Nagano, meanwhile, it’s Zenko-ji, the ancient (and absolutely massive) temple around which the city was originally built.
Hotels and restaurants
Matsumoto wasn’t very popular before the pandemic, and has seen the construction of several new and excellent hotels, including Tabino Hotel Lit and the Iroha Grand Hotel; Nagano’s hotels tend to be older and less remarkable. Conversely, I’d give Nagano the edge on food: Make sure to try soba noodles topped with locally grown wasabi.
Day trips
Whether in Nagano or Matsumoto, you have plenty of amazing spots within day-trip distance—I’ll expand more on these in a couple of paragraphs. From Nagano, Togakushi Shrine and the Jigokudani Monkey Park are top options; from Matsumoto, you can hike in the Kamikochi Valley or along the Nakasendo Way.
Onward excursions
Likewise, it’s easy to travel onward from both of these cities. From Matsumoto, I usually like to head westward over the Alps to Takayama, another smaller cities that makes a great mountain hub. From Nagano, the Hokuriku Shinkansen continues onward to destinations ranging from popular Kanazawa to offbeat Toyama, Fukui and Kaga Onsen.
Other Places to Visit in Nagano Prefecture
Nagano is a huge and diverse prefecture, which is home to some of my favorite destinations in Japan. Here are just a few of them:
- The ancient Nakasendo Way combines nature and heritage just 1-2 hours from Matsumoto, depending upon which of the villages you stop in.
- Seeking pure nature instead? Visit the Kamikochi Valley from Matsumoto, or the “snow monkeys” of Jigokudani from Nagano.
- More intense hiking is also available, whether you’re in Matsumoto and go to the Senjojiki Cirque, or visit Hakuba from Nagano.
- Togakushi Shrine and its towering cedars make for an absolutely spectacular day trip from Nagano, particularly if you go in winter.
Other FAQ About Matsumoto vs Nagano
Should I stay in Matsumoto or Nagano City?
Although Nagano is obviously more convenient, being directly on the Shinkansen line, Matsumoto is a great place to base yourself. The city center is smaller and more compact; no place on the level of Matsumoto Castle exists within Nagano City.
How do I get to Matsumoto from Nagano?
Matsumoto is only around an hour from Nagano, via the JR Shinonoi Line. Your journey time will be slightly longer on a local train, while the Shinano Limited Express can get you there quicker and with a more comfortable reserved seat, albeit it at a higher cost.
Is Matsumoto or Nagano a better place to visit?
As a standalone destination, I’d say that Matsumoto is city where you get slightly more bang for your buck than in Nagano. When factoring in day trips, as well as the ease of getting there from Tokyo, however, I’d say that it’s really a draw as to which city is “better.”
The Bottom Line
Should you stay in Matsumoto or Nagano during your trip to the Japanese Alps? There isn’t a “wrong” answer, per se. On one hand, Matsumoto is a city that’s smaller and easier to explore, and is closer to a wider variety of non-ski attractions than Nagano. On the other hand, Nagano City is directly along the Shinkansen line, and is also a hub for bus and train routes to many of the top ski resorts in Japan. Ultimately, your decision will depend as much on the goals of your trip and your travel style as it does on the cities themselves. Need personalized help hammering out the details of your trip to Japan? Consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary!
