Matsumoto was a lovely city to explore, with a great mix of history, shopping, art and a few unexpected treats along the way. One of our favorite spots was the pedestrian-only shopping street, Nawate Street, also known as Frog Street. It was full of little independent shops, quirky finds and places to stop and browse. We loved wandering along at our own pace, taking in the atmosphere and seeing what we might discover around the next corner.

Of course, no visit to Matsumoto would be complete without seeing its incredible castle. Matsumoto Castle, also known as Crow Castle (Karasu-jō), gets its nickname from its striking black exterior, which gives it a rather dramatic appearance. One of Japan’s most beautiful original castles, its black-and-white walls and impressive multi-level tower make it quite a sight. We especially loved seeing it as the sun began to set, and with its reflection in the surrounding moat, it was one of those views that made us stop and take it all in.

We also made a visit to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, home to an exhibition celebrating the work of Yayoi Kusama, who was born in Matsumoto. Her colorful, imaginative and eccentric artwork was such a contrast to the traditional architecture we’d been exploring. One of the highlights was the Chandelier of Grief, a sparkling chandelier inside a mirrored room that creates the illusion of endless reflections. It was quite magical and the giant colorful flower sculpture outside the museum was also quite a sight!

And finally, an added bonus that perhaps shouldn’t be underestimated after days of traveling around Japan – finding an American restaurant! After so much Japanese food, we were so excited to sit down to something a little more familiar (like biscuits & gravy, açaí bowls, and yummy chai). Sometimes I just crave a bit of “normal food,” which was an awesome way to round off our time in Matsumoto.