Best hotels in Matsumoto

Founded in 1887, Kagetsu is one of those rare city hotels with genuine historical roots and a soul to match. Set on a quiet street barely five minutes' walk from Matsumoto Castle, it's steeped in the mingei philosophy that defines this old furniture-making town: the idea that everyday objects, crafted by unknown hands, hold a particular kind of beauty. That spirit runs through the Kagetsu, from the handmade Matsumoto furniture in every room to the restaurant serving Nagano's finest produce surrounded by original artworks. It's not flashy or particularly modern, but it's warm, authentic and lovely.

Deep in the Kiso Valley, a centuries-old farmhouse perches on a hillside above rice paddies and thick forest, looking much as it has since samurai walked the trails below. This is Zenagi, Japan's first 'expedition hotel', and it operates on a beautiful, simple premise: one group at a time, with a private chef, butler and guide dedicated entirely to you. The restored kominka is filled with black lacquer floors, washi-paper walls and furniture carved by locals, turning the whole place into a living gallery of Kiso craftsmanship. By day, former Olympic athletes lead you through gorges, along ancient samurai trails and into forests that are otherwise off-limits. It's deeply personal, wildly adventurous and utterly unlike anything else in Japan.

Thirty minutes above Matsumoto, tucked into the forest at 1,050 metres, Myojinkan feels genuinely otherworldly. The Saito family has welcomed guests here since 1931, and the mythology runs even deeper. In fact, local legend talks of gods that once came to these mountains to soak in the hot springs. With three communal onsen open around the clock, private baths in every room, and silence broken only by birdsong and the babble of the Susukigawa river, this is a place built entirely for slowing down. Unusually for a ryokan, there are two distinct restaurants – organic French and traditional kaiseki – both sustained by local ingredients.

The Celecton Matsumoto sits within easy walking distance of Matsumoto Castle — and some rooms look straight out at it. The design are neo-vintage: exposed brick, warm wood, and interiors that feel more Brooklyn coffee shop than corporate Japan. It's a mid-range chain hotel, so nobody's coming here for a transformative experience, but it punches above its weight with a communal bathhouse, a bakery-style breakfast, and Serta beds that do exactly what you need after a day in the Japanese Alps.

This hotel, located close to the Matsumo catle, has the perfect location for your stay. Their spacious guest rooms are designed for convenience and comfort, making them ideal for individuals as well as groups.

Matsumoto Jujo is the collective name for the revitalization project of Koyanagi, a long-established inn with a history dating back to 1686. Jujo means "ten stories." The name was chosen with the hope that visitors will experience various stories in this place, and that their own stories will begin here.

The premises include two hotels, "HOTEL Matsumoto Honbako" and "HOTEL Koyanagi," as well as a bookstore, bakery, shop, restaurant, and hard cider brewery. Outside the premises are two cafes, "Oyaki and Coffee" and "Philosophy and Sweets".