During the New Year holiday season, many museums, local sake and miso breweries, craft shops, restaurants, and other venues may be closed or operate on irregular schedules. Below, we provide important information about closures and adjusted working hours during this period.
Matsumoto Experience
- Holiday Schedule
Our office will be closed from December 31, 2025 to January 3, 2026. During this time, we will not be operating any tours or services.
- Limited Operating Hours / Tours
Due to the closure of some local attractions, our company will offer a limited number of tours and activities on December 29 and 30, 2025 and on January 4, 2026. If you have any questions about our available tours during this period, please feel free to contact us.
Matsumoto Castle
- Holiday Schedule
Matsumoto Castle will be closed from December 29, 2025 to December 31, 2025. During this time, both the inner garden and the castle itself will be inaccessible. However, the outer park will remain open to the public.
- Limited Opening Hours
From January 1, 2026 to January 3, 2026, Matsumoto Castle will operate on reduced hours, open from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM (last entry at 3:00 PM). While the garden near the castle will be accessible free of charge, visitors will need to purchase tickets to enter the castle.
- Regular Operating Hours
From January 4, 2026 onward, the castle will resume its regular schedule, open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM.
For more details, please click here.
Exploring Nagano City During the Holiday
If Matsumoto Castle is closed during your visit, consider heading to Nagano City to visit Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples. Unlike many attractions, Zenkoji Temple remains open and accessible throughout the New Year period, though with some adjusted hours. The temple grounds are open 24 hours, and the inner sanctuary maintains daily access. On December 31, the inner sanctuary closes at 1:00 PM but reopens in the evening for New Year celebrations. From January 1-3, the inner sanctuary opens from morning until evening, and visitors can participate in special New Year ceremonies and rituals.
Nagano Experience offers guided tours to Zenkoji Temple through December 30, 2025, providing cultural context and historical insights that transform a simple temple visit into a deeper understanding of Japanese Buddhism and local traditions. The journey from Matsumoto to Nagano takes about an hour by train, making it an easy alternative when planning your holiday itinerary. Zenkoji Temple also hosts significant New Year events, including special prayers, traditional ceremonies, and the famous New Year's bell ringing.
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