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- Ekikara Hiking from Matsumoto Station
Registration for “Ekikara Hiking from Matsumoto Station『Walk the castle town and visit Matsumoto's naturally welling spring waters』 ” closed on November 22, 2010 (Tue). Reservations are preferable, but you can participate even without reservations. Please sign up at the tour desk upon arrival.
We look forward to serving you again.
Information for First Time Participants
Ekikara Hiking (Hiking from the Station) events are one-day events starting from stations throughout the eastern Japan area that anyone can participate in easily. They consist of hiking while experiencing the historical buildings and abundant nature of the areas around the stations. Participation is free of charge. Participation in the Ekikara Hiking event is very simple! All you need to do is apply through this website and then go to the reception counter at the hiking spot on the day of the event!
Organization of the Event
It is also possible to join the hike on the day of the event but a prior application is more convenient!
English-speaking staff is available to help you!
English maps are also available. A wonderful free gift is included! Customers who make a reservation through the Internet will receive another wonderful free gift as well!
There are no time limits, etc. Please enjoy the hiking in your own way!
Overview of the Hiking
Choose any date for Ekikara Hiking between Friday, October 1 and Tuesday, November 23, 2010.
| Date | October 1 (Fri), 2010 – November 23 (Tue), 2010 |   A unique button and hiking map Visitors wearing the Arukuma button at Matsumoto Castle will receive a 120-yen discount off the 600-yen admission fee. |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in Time | 9:00 to 11:00 | |
| Nearest Station | JR Matsumoto Station |
|
| Reception Area | Matsumoto City Tourist Information Center (Next to the Matsumoto Stn. ticket gate) Map of Matsumoto Station |
|
| Walking Time | Approx. 4 hours | |
| Walking Distance | Approx. 7.5 km | |
| Tour Fee | No charge | |
| Lunch | Visitors may bring their own lunch | |
| Guide | There will not be a guide accompanying this tour. Visitors can take a map and guide themselves along the route. |
- Some establishments charge an admission fee. In this case, please purchase an admission ticket on arrival at the establishment.
- You will be walking for about 4 hours so please wear sturdy clothes and shoes, etc. on the hike.
- The event will still take place even if it is raining on the day. In the event of rain please bring your rain gear with you.
- Please take all of your trash home with you. Thank you for your cooperation.
Attractions along the Hiking Route
Matsumoto Castle
The castle keep, constructed in the Bunroku Period (1592 – 1595), is the oldest in Japan. With the Hida Mountains (also known as the Northern Alps) rising majestically in the background, the view from the keep is also stunning.
Adult admission to the keep, inner gardens and museum: 600 yen
Information: Visitors wearing an Arukuma button will receive a 120-yen discount off the 600-yen admission fee.
Nakamachi Street
As though stepping back through time, the Matsumoto of yore unfolds before your eyes, traditional storehouses lining Nakamachi Street with white earthen walls and black namako tiles arranged in diagonal patterns. We recommend Nakamachi Street for taking a relaxing stroll.
Nawate Street
Recreating the castle town of Matsumoto as it was in the Edo Period, nearly 50 different shops showcase nostalgic toys, artifacts and antiques along Nawate Street while vendors offer candy, food and beverages. Simply seeing Nawate Street is a fun experience.
Genchi Well
Matsumoto is a town with an abundance of quality natural springs. The water of Genchi Well has been acclaimed as the "best natural spring water in Shinshu" and has been in use since the Edo Period for drinking and sake production. You can even draw your own water to experience this unique Japanese water. Quench your thirst and refresh your body after hiking.
Route Details
Visit the famous bubbling and flowing springs and wells of Matsumoto. Enjoy a walking tour in the castle town of Matsumoto, where you can revive your spirits and wet your whistle with water that has been bubbling up from the springs here since time immemorial.
JR Matsumoto
Station
Walk
JR Matsumoto Station
Matsumoto Station is located on the Shinonoi Line and is the terminal station of the Oito Line and Matsumoto Electric Railway. From Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure, and the former Kaichi School, an Important Cultural Property of Japan, in the city to such surrounding attractions as the famous hot springs, Kamikochi, the Utsukushigahara Highlands and the Hida Mountains (also known as the Northern Alps), JR Matsumoto Station is developing into a major starting point for many visitors.
Matsumoto City Tourist
Information Center
Walk
Check in is at the Matsumoto City Tourist Information Center, right next to the ticket gate in Matsumoto Station. (Map of Matsumoto Station)
Sign in: 9:00 to 11:00
Genchi Well
water source
Walk
Genchi Well water source
This well has been providing the town with water since the Edo Period.
Genchi Well
Walk
Genchi Well
Water from Genchi Well is said to be the best in Shinshu. This delicious water has been used for drinking for over 400 years.
Iori Reisui
Walk
This is the final resting place of Suzuki Iori, who worked to find solutions for farmers during the agrarian disturbance known as the "Kasuke Uprising."
Metoba Spring
Walk
This is the one and only source of water used in brewing in Matsumoto City. Sake made with Metoba Spring water has a reputation for being delicious.
Great Kitamon Well
Walk
Great Kitamon Well
The water in this well burst forth during construction of the castle moat. It is situated between the park below the Shinmachi bus stop and the moat on the northern edge of Old Oyanagi-machi. In the area known as Yanagi-machi (named for the yanagi or willow trees here) there are many springs even inside the castle, and the abundance of well water enriched the lives of those living near the castle.
Kitababa Yanagi Well
Walk
Kitababa Yanagi Well
This well is called Kitababa Yanagi because of the large willow (yanagi) trees near it. Visitors can drink the delicious water from the Kitababa Yanagi well free of charge. Cups are provided for visitors to help themselves.
Matsumoto Castle
Walk
Matsumoto Castle
The six story keep of Japanese National Treasure Matsumoto Castle was built in the Bunroku Period (1592 – 1595), making it the oldest castle in Japan. Having withstood over 400 years of wind and weather, the keep has been preserved just as it was in the Warring States Period (1467 – 1610).
Information: Customers wearing the Arukuma button will receive a 120-yen discount off the 600-yen admission fee.
Matsumoto City Tourist
Information Center
Walk
Nawate Street
Walk
Nawate Street
The words "rope" (nawa) and "bank" (dote) combine to form the name Nawate, so called because it is a "bank as long and narrow as a rope."
Nakamachi Street
Walk
Nakamachi Street
As if you have stepped back through time, the Matsumoto of yore unfolds before your eyes, traditional storehouses lining Nakamachi Street with white earthen walls and black namako tiles arranged diagonally.
*1
Caution: Although the quality of the water in this well has been tested and conforms to standards for drinking water, it is untreated water. We therefore ask visitors with a history of digestive sensitivity to use caution.
Matsumoto City Tourist
Information Center
Walk
Matsumoto Station
Recommended Trains
Here we introduce the best trains to take from Tokyo or Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station in Nagano Prefecture. The trip to Matsumoto Station takes less than three hours on the Shinkansen.
From Tokyo Station
| Nagano Shinkansen Asama No.501 |
Nagano Shinkansen Asama No.505 |
Nagano Shinkansen Asama No.507 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Station | Depart | 6:24 | 7:28 | 7:52 |
| Nagano Station | Arrive | 8:04 | 8:53 | 9:45 |
| Limited Express Shinano No.4 |
Limited Express Shinano No.6 |
Limited Express Shinano No.8 |
||
| Nagano Station | Depart | 8:11 | 9:00 | 10:00 |
| Matsumoto Station | Arrive | 9:03 | 9:51 | 10:52 |
From Shinjuku Station
| Limited Express Super Azusa No.1 |
Limited Express Azusa No.3 |
Limited Express Super Azusa No.5 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku Station | Depart | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 |
| Matsumoto Station | Arrive | 9:39 | 10:23 | 10:37 |
Recommended Hikes
From Monday, November 1 to Tuesday, November 30, a Shinshu Ekikara Hiking campaign is also underway at Nagano Station. We hope you can come and join in the fun.
