Local Guide
[2025 Edition] Autumn foliage spots to enjoy in the naturally rich downtown Matsumoto

Matsumoto City, surrounded by the Northern Alps and the Utsukushigahara Plateau, has many famous spots for viewing autumn leaves. The leaves start changing in the mountains and gradually trickle down to the city center, allowing you to enjoy the colorful autumn scenery even in the city. We will introduce you to some of Matsumoto City's autumn foliage spots that can be enjoyed not only in famous tourist spots such as Kamikochi and Norikura Plateau, but also in the city itself.

Enjoy Matsumoto's history and culture and the autumn foliage in a park with a school building reminiscent of the Taisho era

Beyond the colorful ginkgo and maple trees, the mountains of Utsukushigahara spread out before you, and the autumn leaves reflected on the water's surface are also eye-catching.
Beyond the colorful ginkgo and maple trees, the mountains of Utsukushigahara spread out before you, and the autumn leaves reflected on the water's surface are also eye-catching.

This urban park is a place of relaxation for the locals, with rows of Himalayan cedars and zelkova trees planted during the Taisho era, a Japanese garden surrounding a pond, and a vast lawn plaza. It has a tranquil atmosphere that makes it hard to believe you are in the center of Matsumoto, and the Western-style wooden building of the former Matsumoto High School, which stands in one corner, gives you a sense of Matsumoto's history and culture.

In the large park, you can enjoy the colorful autumn leaves of the trees, which contrast beautifully with the quaint school building of the former Matsumoto High School, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property. In the Japanese garden, which uses Utsukushigahara as a backdrop, you will be captivated by the beauty of the autumn leaves reflected on the water surface.

[Best time to see autumn leaves] Early November to mid-November
[Types of trees] Zelkova, ginkgo, horse chestnut, maple, Japanese maple, Enkianthus campanulatus, etc.

Agata Forest Park
  • 住所Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture 3-2102-15 MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 23 minutes walk from Matsumoto Station
  • バスアクセスTake the sightseeing bus from Matsumoto Station, take the Town Sneaker East Course and get off at "Former Matsumoto High School"
  • TEL0263-34-3254

Enjoy panoramic views and autumn foliage at this hilly, nature-rich urban park

The park includes a zoo called "Forest of Small Birds and Animals," and is a comprehensive recreational spot where you can enjoy the whole day surrounded by autumn leaves.
The park includes a zoo called "Forest of Small Birds and Animals," and is a comprehensive recreational spot where you can enjoy the whole day surrounded by autumn leaves.

Located in the hills of Matsumoto city, this vast urban park overlooks the Northern Alps and Azumino to the west, and the Utsukushigahara Plateau and Matsumoto city to the east. Making use of the undulating terrain and nature, the park is packed with Property such as a museum with an observation deck, a small zoo, and a 630m-long roller coaster that runs through a forest course, as well as various play equipment and a mallet golf course, making it a popular leisure spot for families.

In autumn, when the trees in the park take on vivid colors, the spot is bustling with picnic goers, offering a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains bathed in the colorful autumn colors.

[Best time to see autumn leaves] Late October to mid-November
[Types of trees] Cherry, maple, zelkova, rowan, etc.

Alps Park
  • 住所2455-11 Arigasaki, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 15 minutes by car from JR Matsumoto
  • バスアクセスFrom JR Matsumoto Station, take the Alpico Kotsu bus on the Alps Park Line for about 20 minutes and get off at "Alps Park"
  • TEL0263-34-5640
  • 駐車場free
  • メモ*You can also check the autumn foliage situation on the live camera on the official Alps Park website.
    (http://toybox-net.jp/alpspark/live/live.asp)

A relaxing hill where you can enjoy seasonal scenery and views, such as autumn leaves and rows of cherry blossoms in spring.

The view from the Northern Alps to Utsukushigahara is outstanding, with the colorful trees and Matsumoto Plain spreading out below, and the autumn foliage of the cherry blossom trees in the park is also spectacular.
The view from the Northern Alps to Utsukushigahara is outstanding, with the colorful trees and Matsumoto Plain spreading out below, and the autumn foliage of the cherry blossom trees in the park is also spectacular.

Located on a hill overlooking Matsumoto Plain from the Northern Alps, it began when the lord of Matsumoto Castle planted cherry and maple trees around the ruins of his old castle (Inukai Castle) at the end of the Edo period and opened it to the general public. It was one of the first parks in Nagano Prefecture to be fully developed during the Meiji period, and the deep history and culture can be felt from the monuments bearing poems by local writers such as Asai Sei and Sugita Hisame.

The view from the cylindrical observation deck is amazing, and the view that continues to the ridge and Alps Park is also popular. It is known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in spring, and in autumn it is a little-known spot for viewing the red autumn leaves of cherry blossoms and maples.

[Best time to see autumn leaves] Early to mid-November
[Type of tree] Cherry, maple, etc.

Shiroyama Park
  • 住所1139 Arigasaki, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 10 minutes by car from JR Matsumoto Station
  • バスアクセス7 minutes by Alpico Kotsu bus from JR Matsumoto Station, get off at "Shiroyama Park Exit" and walk for approx. 15 minutes
  • TEL0263-34-3254（松本市公園緑地課）
  • 駐車場free

A dramatic yellow carpet of ginkgo trees sparkling in the evening light

This is one of Matsumoto City's most popular spots for viewing autumn leaves, with a beautiful tunnel created by rows of golden ginkgo trees.
This is one of Matsumoto City's most popular spots for viewing autumn leaves, with a beautiful tunnel created by rows of golden ginkgo trees.

This general gymnasium is adjacent to the Kissei Cultural Hall, known as the main venue for the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, which is held every summer. The highlight of the fall season is undoubtedly the row of ginkgo trees stretching out to the north. They were planted when the prefectural athletic ground, the predecessor to the prefectural athletic ground, was established in 1926, and are approximately 100 years old.

The scenery when the leaves turn gold is beautiful, and when the leaves fall and the ground becomes a yellow carpet, it is also romantic. You can see Matsumoto citizens coming to pick up the hanging ginkgo nuts. There are also maples on the premises, so you can enjoy the contrast of yellow and red autumn leaves.

[Best time to see autumn leaves] Late October to early November
[Type of trees] Ginkgo, maple, etc.

Matsumoto City General Gymnasium
  • 住所5-1 Misuzu, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 15 minutes by car from JR Matsumoto Station
  • バスアクセスFrom Matsumoto Bus Terminal, take the "Shindai Yokota Circulation Line" and get off at "Sogo Taiikukan" bus stop, then walk for about 1 minute
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0263-32-1818（総合体育館窓口）
  • 駐車場free

A serene temple ground with beautiful autumn colors. A spot for autumn leaves in the hot spring town that is known only to those in the know.

Tenmangu Shrine, where generations of Matsumoto Castle lords have worked hard to maintain the shrine buildings. The vivid contrast between the red torii gates and the yellow trees is beautiful.
Tenmangu Shrine, where generations of Matsumoto Castle lords have worked hard to maintain the shrine buildings. The vivid contrast between the red torii gates and the yellow trees is beautiful.

Located on the north side of Matsumoto City, Asama hot spring boasts a history of 1,300 years and was considered the Gotenyu of the Matsumoto Domain in the Edo period. It is a famous hot spring that is popularly known as "Matsumoto's back room", and was loved by literati such as Akiko Yosano and Yumeji Takehisa in the Meiji era.

hot spring hot spring The Uguisutemeyama Tenmangu Shrine, located on a hill overlooking the town, is a hidden beauty spot in autumn with its beautiful autumn leaves. The deciduous trees are beautifully colored with autumn leaves, and visitors can enjoy a quiet fall foliage viewing experience away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

[Best time to see autumn leaves] Mid-October to mid-November
[Type of trees] Maple, Rowan, etc.

Uguisu Tomeyama Tenmangu Shrine
  • 住所3-26-1 hot spring, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 18 minutes by car from JR Matsumoto Station
  • バスアクセスFrom Matsumoto Bus Terminal, take the "Asama Line" or "Shin-Asama Line" and get off at "hot spring", then walk for about 10 minutes
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0263-46-1800（浅間温泉観光協会）
  • 駐車場none

MAP

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