Nagano Prefecture (Matsumoto) Events

You can witness an artillery demonstration by a gunnery squad in armor, firing matchlock guns against the backdrop of National Treasure Matsumoto Castle. The power of the roar and white smoke is conveyed even without understanding the language.

The sound is very loud, so those with small children should watch from a slightly distant spot. The event is canceled on rainy days.

This is a night festival where Matsumoto Castle in winter is entirely illuminated with light and ice. Centered around projection mapping on the National Treasure keep, the entire castle town area, including Daimyo-machi Street and Chitose Bridge, is decorated. Admission is free, and it's a highlight of winter that you can walk to from your accommodation for an evening stroll.

During the festival period (usually a weekend in late January), the "National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival" is also held, with works by ice sculptors from all over Japan and a giant ice slide lining Matsumoto Castle Park. The schedule for the 2026-27 season will be finalized on the official website closer to the date, so please check before your visit.

Matsumoto Castle during the New Year's first three days. You can visit the National Treasure keep at the beginning of the year.

For those staying in Matsumoto during the New Year holidays, it's an alternative to Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year). Please check the official website for opening hours.

This is a night festival where Matsumoto Castle in winter is entirely illuminated with light and ice. Centered around projection mapping on the National Treasure keep, the entire castle town area, including Daimyo-machi Street and Chitose Bridge, is decorated. Admission is free, and it's a highlight of winter that you can walk to from your accommodation for an evening stroll.

During the festival period (usually a weekend in late January), the "National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival" is also held, with works by ice sculptors from all over Japan and a giant ice slide lining Matsumoto Castle Park. The schedule for the 2026-27 season will be finalized on the official website closer to the date, so please check before your visit.

This is one of Nagano's premier craft festivals, bringing together approximately 260 artisans from across Japan. Handicrafts such as woodworking, pottery, glass, and dyeing are showcased under the trees of Agata-no-Mori Park.

It's a weekend where you can experience "Matsumoto, the city of folk crafts and craftsmanship." The highlight is being able to talk directly with the artisans and choose items. The dates are usually late May, but please check the official website closer to the time.

This is the summer festival of Matsumoto Shrine, located just north of Matsumoto Castle. During the eve festival on the 10th, fireworks are launched behind Matsumoto Castle (directly behind it), illuminating the summer night sky with the silhouette of the National Treasure keep.

It's one of the few fireworks displays you can walk to from your accommodation. There are also food stalls, so you can enjoy the festival itself. The dates are fixed annually on July 10th and 11th, but the fireworks display may be decided at the last minute due to weather, so please check Matsumoto City's tourism information before your visit.

Groups from all over Japan play taiko drums with the National Treasure keep as a backdrop.

For the evening stage, the illuminated Matsumoto Castle itself becomes the backdrop. It's an event that transcends language, making it easy to recommend to international guests.

This is Matsumoto's biggest summer festival. Tens of thousands of people dance the same choreography through the city streets to the same song, "Matsumoto Bon Bon."

Groups (ren) form lines in matching yukata and proceed, making it a spectacular sight even just to watch. The dance is a simple repetition, so you can join in by imitating.

The venue spans from the station to the castle. The festival comes to you, within walking distance from your accommodation.

This is a summer fireworks display with approximately 3,000 fireworks launched along the Susukigawa River, which flows through the city of Matsumoto.

It's a relatively close fireworks display to Matsumoto's accommodations, and you can sit by the river and look up at them. The schedule is usually in early August, but please check the official website closer to the date.

This is Matsumoto's international music festival at the end of summer, started by Seiji Ozawa. Orchestra performances and operas by the Saito Kinen Orchestra are held in the city of Matsumoto.

Tickets are required for each performance, and popular performances sell out quickly. Please check the official website for the program and ticket release dates.