As the second largest city of Nagano prefecture, Matsumoto is famous above all for its splendid medieval castle, built in the early 16th century. Matsumoto Castle is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan, making it a must-see for castle lovers. Walking on the street, you can enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere brought by the black-and-white lattice-patterned wall of the old buildings, as well as the local special dishes like soba (buckwheat noodles). Furthermore, Matsumoto is a convenient base for trekking to the Kamikochi area, which offers some of Japan’s most spectacular mountain scenery. (Photo copyright JNTO)