Historic Japan at Matsumoto & Himeji Castle - See & Eat travel guide with useful tips!

Find out what to expect when visiting 2 of Japan’s most well-preserved original castles! They are must-visit unique destinations in Japan, not just for those who like Japanese history, but for anyone interested in Japanese culture.
Matsumoto is a great base for exploring the Japanese Alps, with direct connections from Nagano and Takayama. Himeji is a bustling city and can be directly accessed from Kyoto or Hiroshima.
The ‘Black Crow’ and ‘White Heron’ castles are two of the 12 original castles in Japan, making it a must-see for those keen on digging deeper into Japanese culture and history. This travel guide includes info on price, crowd level, food options, and bonus travel tips when visiting these castles.
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Places mentioned:
📍 Matsumoto Castle (Matsumoto, Nagano prefecture)
-Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto Castle is both impressive and beautiful with its black walls and surrounding moat.
📍 Himeji Castle (Himeji, Hyōgo prefecture)
- Built for absolute defence as well as aesthetics, Himeji is extremely romantic, and especially popular in Spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Try to beat the crowds by arriving close to opening time, we had a pleasant experience here (on a weekday) and the Koko-en garden is also worth the visit.
📍 Nawate-dori and Nakamachi-dori (Matsumoto)
- Two interesting shopping streets to visit when you’re in Matsumoto. There are various food stalls and souvenir shops selling local products. I found it one of the best shopping streets I had been to in Japan!
📍 草菴 Sou-an (Nakamachi-dori, Matsumoto)
- A great restaurant serving ‘Bandit chicken’ in Matsumoto, recommended by a local. There may be a line during lunch hour, but give it a try because the turnover looked pretty fast. We didn’t have to wait for a table when we went though.
📍 Menme (Honmachi, Himeji)
- Handmade udon noodle shop located not far from Himeji’s entrance. The price was very reasonable, and the noodles are freshly made. We had to join a line though, and waited for about 15-20 minutes. And, though I rarely say it, it was really worth the wait!
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Key moments:
00:00 Japan’s original castles
00:20 Matsumoto Castle (black crow)
02:13 Nawate shopping street (Frog street)
02:31 Nakamachi shopping street
02:42 Sou-an (local restaurant)
03:05 Himeji Castle (white heron)
04:11 Koko-en garden (in Himeji)
04:52 Menme (handmade udon restaurant)
05:01 6 Travel trips for castle visits
5:33 Comparing Matsumoto & Himeji
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Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed are my own and contain no paid promotions or reviews. The places and prices mentioned in the video were from November 2023. Please be sure to check official websites for updated information!
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[@AllthewayupG]

Cool interesting video, im from the Netherlands and everything is flat

[@memoriesfromjapan]

Thanks for watching! Yea the mountainous landscape is so beautiful isn't it! :)