Matsushiro Samurai Town & Seasonal Fruit Picking Day Tour from Nagano

🕒 Duration: Approx. 6 hours (return to Nagano Station by mid-afternoon)
📍 Location: Matsushiro & Chikuma, Nagano
👥 Group Size: Small groups for a relaxed, personal experience
🗣️ Language: English guide provided

🔎 What to Expect
Step back into Japan’s feudal past in Matsushiro—one of Nagano’s best-preserved samurai towns—then enjoy a refreshing countryside finish with seasonal fruit picking in Chikuma. This easy-going day tour blends history, local culture, and a taste of rural Nagano, with a smooth return to Nagano Station by mid-afternoon.

🏯 Tour Highlights

1️⃣ Visit Matsushiro Castle Ruins 🏰

• Walk the grounds of a former feudal stronghold and learn why Matsushiro mattered strategically.
• Enjoy scenic views and great photo moments with stone walls and gates.

2️⃣ Explore Samurai Residences 🏡

• Step inside traditional residences and see tatami rooms, furnishings, and exhibits of daily life.
• Learn the values, discipline, and social order that shaped the samurai era.

3️⃣ Visit the Sanada Treasure Museum 🏺

• See clan artifacts such as weapons, armor, and historical documents.
• Hear the story of the Sanada Clan—famous for strategy, resilience, and legend.

4️⃣ Discover Matsushiro Bunbu School 📚

• Bun (Studies): Learn how samurai trained the mind through ethics, literature, and calligraphy.
• Bu (Martial spirit): Discover the role of martial arts education in shaping leadership and discipline.

5️⃣ Stroll Through Historic Streets 🚶‍♂️🏘️

• Enjoy a gentle walk through Edo-period streets and soak in the quiet atmosphere of old Japan.

6️⃣ Scenic Countryside Stop at Oyaki Farm Matsushiro 🌿

• Factory viewing & terrace views: A beautiful modern space with great scenery—an easy, refreshing break.
• Oyaki available for purchase: Try Nagano’s famous dumplings with seasonal fillings (optional).

7️⃣ Seasonal Fruit Picking in Chikuma 🍓🍊

• Included activity: Enjoy fruit picking at a local farm in the Chikuma countryside.
• Fruit varies by season: Strawberries in winter–spring and citrus in autumn (exact fruit depends on the day).

🍵 Why Join This Tour?

• Balanced day: A satisfying mix of samurai heritage and a countryside hands-on experience.
• Tickets included: Key Matsushiro admissions are covered for a smooth visit.
• Small-group comfort: A relaxed pace with time for photos, questions, and local stories.

📸 Picture-Perfect Moments

• Castle ruins, samurai residences, and cinematic streets in Matsushiro.
• Open countryside scenery and seasonal harvest moments.

📋 Tour Information

• Where to Meet: In front of Beck’s Coffee inside Nagano Station 
• What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket (seasonal), and a camera 📷
• Weather: Tours run rain or shine (ponchos provided if needed ☔).

Experience Matsushiro’s samurai legacy and finish with seasonal fruit picking—an easy, rewarding day trip from Nagano.