Experience Firing Lasers and Samurai Culture in Matsumoto

This winter will once again see Matsumoto Castle illuminated in brilliant light and color with our annual Winter Illumination Festival. One of the most popular events each year is set to be even more spectacular thanks to the inclusion of laser-mapping upon the castle structure – a display certain to draw visitors from all over Japan and abroad. To celebrate this event, we are also happy to announce our new Samurai Sword Fighting, Castle & Illumination Tour! Operating from December 13^th to February 15^th, this exclusive tour offers visitors an even more unique experience of the castle combining a samurai experience, a castle tour and its brilliant winter illumination.

Experience the Powerful Elegance of Matsumoto Castle

On the day of your tour, your guide will meet you at Matsumoto Station and accompany you directly to Matsumoto Castle – a registered National Treasure and one of Japan’s last remaining original castles. Often referred to as the “Crow Castle” due to its distinctive upturned black tiles reminiscent of a bird taking flight, the overall architecture is characteristic of the “Warring States Period”. Constructed at the end of that period, the castle has stood guard over Matsumoto for more than four hundred years.

Matsumoto Castle is, along with Nagano City’s Zenko-ji Temple, one of the most important historical and cultural destinations in Central Japan. As such, no visit to the region is complete without experiencing the castle. This tour takes you inside the castle precinct to discover its history and significance, with a winter-only start time of 15:30 allowing visitors to join later in the afternoon. Should you have any questions or need assistance in planning your visit, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Samurai Sword Fighting Experience

Having enjoyed the castle tour, your guide will lead you onto your next activity – samurai sword fighting! Located a short walk from the castle, you will be met by a samurai master charged with teaching you some basic techniques of ‘katana’ (samurai sword) use!

The experience begins by dressing in samurai outfit and then selecting your sword. Once prepared, the samurai master will instruct how to assume basic attacking and defensive stances and use of your sword. In doing so, you’ll learn more about the samurai as you master the weapon that in many ways defined them. The samurai master’s passion and expertise is certain to inspire you to linger longer and learn more about Matsumoto’s proud feudal past.

A Blending of Legend, Color & Light

After your samurai experience, your guide will lead you around the historic grounds to enjoy the Castle Illumination. As you do so, your guide will introduce you to the history and legends of the castle, while also allowing plenty of time to explore for yourself including capturing those all-important photographs of the brilliant light display.

One of the castle’s most famous legends tells of a woman who appeared to a lone samurai patrolling the defenses at night. That legend lives on today and is often told as part of the castle’s history, a reflection that the castle itself is a mix of fact and fable and of course, symbolic of the proud samurai that once dominated Matsumoto and Japan.

Additional Information

Meeting Location: Tour begins at Matsumoto Station. Your guide will meet you at 3:30pm.

Group Type: Group Tour (Private Tour Option available)

Important information:

• Our Samurai Sword Fighting, Castle & Illumination Tour does not include exploration inside the castle at night.
• You will spend around 30 minutes outside to enjoy the illumination. Please wear warm clothing and bring other appropriate items for the winter weather conditions including the possibility of snow.
• The samurai experience location is located around 5 minutes walk from the castle
• In Japan, authentic katanas are classified as illegal weapons under strict licensing laws. Tourists can see them in museums or specialty shops, but theatrical swords are widely used in performances, training, and during our samurai experience.
• This activity focuses on proper sword techniques and kata accessible to all including families. It does not involve any type of slicing or cutting of objects.

The tour itinerary includes the following visits:

• Daytime Matsumoto Castle Tour (90 minutes)
• Samurai sword fighting Experience (60 minutes)
• Outdoor exploration of Matsumoto Castle Illumination (30 minutes)

Please note that the above times are estimates and that the tour may end
earlier or later.

Cancellation Policy: To receive a full refund, cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start date in the local time zone. No refunds will be given after that time period.

Terms & Conditions: Please see our Terms & Conditions