Matsumoto Sake Tasting Walking Tour in Nagano

Exploring the rich sake culture of Nagano, the Matsumoto Sake Tasting Walking Tour offers an immersive experience for visitors. This 2-hour tour delves into the charming Nakamachi Shopping Street, where you’ll admire traditional merchant houses before indulging in a 45-minute sake tasting session at a local brewery. Discover the heritage of Japanese rice wine and savor artisanal pickles paired with green tea. With an English-speaking guide, you’ll capture memorable moments throughout the tour. But the true highlight might just surprise you.

This experience features in our guide to 12 exceptional Tours in Matsumoto.

Key Points

• A 2-hour walking tour in Nagano, Japan, that offers an immersive experience in the local sake culture, including a tasting session at a local brewery.
• Explore the well-preserved merchant houses along Nakamachi Street and enjoy traditional Japanese pickles paired with hot green tea.
• Suitable for up to 8 participants, providing a personalized and intimate experience, with the tour conducted in English.
• Restrictions apply, with pregnant women, wheelchair users, and individuals over 70 excluded from participation.
• The tour includes sake tasting, introduction to eateries, and high-quality photographs, with options for a pay-later payment.

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Matsumoto Sake Tasting Walking Tour in Nagano offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich sake culture.

Priced at €63.83 per person, the 2-hour tour is limited to just 8 participants, ensuring an intimate experience. Conducted in English, the tour includes a sake tasting session, Japanese pickles, and guided visits to local food stalls and shopping streets.

Participants can also expect high-quality photographs to be shared after the tour. With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a pay-later option, this tour provides a flexible and immersive cultural experience in Nagano.

Itinerary and Highlights

Starting with Starbucks Coffee – MIDORI Matsumoto, the tour takes participants on a 2-hour journey through Matsumoto’s vibrant sake culture.

The first stop is Nakamachi Shopping Street, where visitors explore well-preserved merchant houses for 15 minutes.

Next, the group heads to a hidden gem – a local sake brewery – for a 45-minute tasting session.

Afterward, they stroll down Nawate Street, taking in 15 minutes of food stalls and shopping.

Throughout the tour, participants learn about Japanese rice wine, brewing techniques, and savor Japanese pickles with hot green tea.

Countless photographic opportunities abound.

Cultural Experience

This tour offers a unique cultural experience, immersing visitors in Nagano’s rich sake heritage.

Explore the well-preserved merchant houses along Nakamachi Street and reflect on Matsumoto’s medieval grandeur and modern vibrancy.

At the sake brewery, learn about traditional brewing techniques and sample various sake flavors, savoring the local culture.

Engage with the artisanal pickles and hot green tea, further connecting with Nagano’s culinary traditions.

Throughout the experience, capture the photogenic streets and landmarks, creating lasting memories of this immersive cultural journey in the heart of Japan’s renowned sake region.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes a sake tasting session, allowing participants to savor the local flavors and gain insights into Nagano’s renowned sake culture.

Also included are Japanese pickles, an introduction to favorite eateries and cafes, and high-quality photographs shared after the tour.

However, the tour excludes:

• Extra drinks and food (available for purchase)
• Bullet train tickets and other transportation fees
• Meal for infants

While the experience offers an immersive cultural exploration, certain restrictions apply, including not being suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or individuals over 70 years old.

Participant Restrictions and Meeting Point

Although the Matsumoto Sake Tasting Walking Tour offers an immersive cultural experience, it may not be suitable for all participants. The tour excludes pregnant women, wheelchair users, and individuals over 70. Participants will meet at the clearly marked Starbucks Midori Matsumoto Station, just outside the ticket gate.

Exploring Nakamachi Shopping Street

After starting the tour at the Starbucks near the station, participants stroll along Nakamachi Shopping Street, a well-preserved merchant district that offers a glimpse into Matsumoto’s storied past.

They’ll discover:

1. Machiya – Beautifully restored traditional merchant houses with distinctive latticed windows and overhanging second floors.

2. Local Crafts – Shops showcasing handmade ceramics, woodcarvings, and other artisanal wares that reflect the town’s heritage.

3. Historic Atmosphere – The street’s timeless ambiance, with locals going about their daily routines, transports visitors back in time.

4. Photogenic Backdrops – Ample opportunities to capture picturesque scenes and architecture that epitomize old-world Japan.

Discovering the Hidden Gem

From Nakamachi Street, the group then ventures deeper into a hidden alleyway, unveiling a secluded sake brewery that’s off the beaten path.

The guide shares the brewery’s history and introduces the brewer, who leads a private tasting. Guests sample several premium sakes, learning about the nuanced flavors and traditional techniques.

The intimate setting allows for engaging conversations about the region’s sake culture. Photographs are taken throughout the visit, capturing the brewery’s rustic charm.

After the tasting, the group emerges from the hidden gem, eager to explore the next stop on the Matsumoto sake walking tour.

Wandering Through Nawate Street

Leaving the intimate sake brewery, the group now meanders down Nawate Street, a lively commercial district teeming with traditional shops and eateries.

They stroll past picturesque stalls showcasing local crafts, from intricate woodcarvings to colorful paper lanterns.

Stopping to admire a row of charming shops, the tour guide highlights four must-visit destinations:

1. A quaint sweets shop offering handmade mochi and candied apples
2. A family-run pottery studio displaying exquisite ceramic wares
3. A lively izakaya serving up authentic Japanese tapas and sake
4. A historic bridge offering stunning views of the Metoba River

With camera shutters clicking, the group immerses itself in the vibrant rhythm of Nawate Street.

Things To Know

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, participants can’t bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour includes a sake tasting session and Japanese pickles, but extra food and drinks must be purchased separately during the experience.

Do I Need to Book in Advance or Can I Join on the Day?

You can book this tour in advance to secure your spot, but you can also join on the day if there’s availability. Reserving ahead is recommended to avoid disappointment, as group sizes are limited.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

There’s no strict dress code, but participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Casual, practical attire is recommended to fully enjoy the tour’s exploration of Matsumoto’s historic streets and sake culture.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Students or Seniors?

There are no specific discounts mentioned for students or seniors on this walking tour. However, the tour allows flexibility for booking and cancellation, so it’s worth checking if any discounts may be available at the time of booking.

Can I Customize the Tour to Fit My Preferences?

Yes, you can customize the tour to fit your preferences. The tour provider offers flexibility to adjust the itinerary and experiences based on your interests and needs, ensuring a personalized experience.

Sum Up

The Matsumoto Sake Tasting Walking Tour offers an authentic cultural experience, blending the charm of historic Nakamachi Street with the rich heritage of Japanese rice wine. Participants can enjoy the local artisanal traditions, savoring delectable pickles and fragrant green tea, all while capturing the beauty of this enchanting Nagano journey.