Things to Do in Matsukawa (松川町), Nagano: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Matsukawa (松川町) in Nagano Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Akaishi Mt. (赤石岳), Minami-komaga-take (南駒ヶ岳), Minami-arupusu-kokuritsu Park and served by Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) via the regional hub at Nagano Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) & Matsumoto Station (JR Azusa). Set at 574 m elevation (35.6053°N, 137.9092°E), Matsukawa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles), Oyaki (stuffed roasted buckwheat buns), Sanzoku-yaki (crispy garlic fried chicken) cuisine and exploring neighboring Takamori (高森町) (5.8 km), Nakagawa (中川村) (7.1 km), Iijima (飯島町) (8.2 km), Toyooka (豊丘村) (8.3 km).

Like many other small Southern Nagano villages, it is famous for its apples. Set in a highland landscape at roughly 574 m above sea level in Nagano Prefecture, Matsukawa is anchored by local landmarks including Akaishi Mt. (赤石岳), Minami-komaga-take (南駒ヶ岳), Minami-arupusu-kokuritsu Park and connects to neighboring Takamori, Nakagawa, Iijima via Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km). Within Nagano Prefecture, Matsukawa (松川町) serves as a town (町) in nagano prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Original black-walled Matsumoto Castle, Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Nakasendo post towns (Narai-juku, Tsumago, Magome), Kamikochi, and Hakuba/Nozawa Onsen.

What to See & Do in Matsukawa (松川町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Matsukawa (松川町) from Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) at 574 m elevation (35.6053°N, 137.9092°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Matsukawa):

• Akaishi Mt. (赤石岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Matsukawa (松川町).
• Minami-komaga-take (南駒ヶ岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Matsukawa (松川町).
• Minami-arupusu-kokuritsu Park — local sightseeing landmark near Matsukawa (松川町).
• Kazakoshi Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Matsukawa (松川町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Matsukawa: Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) (connecting to Nagano Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) & Matsumoto Station (JR Azusa)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Matsukawa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Matsukawa (松川町) and Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Nagano Prefecture and Chubu:

• Takamori (高森町) — 5.8 km from Matsukawa (Nagano Prefecture)
• Nakagawa (中川村) — 7.1 km from Matsukawa (Nagano Prefecture)
• Iijima (飯島町) — 8.2 km from Matsukawa (Nagano Prefecture)
• Toyooka (豊丘村) — 8.3 km from Matsukawa (Nagano Prefecture)
• Iida (飯田市) — 12.8 km from Matsukawa (Nagano Prefecture)

Getting to Matsukawa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Matsukawa (松川町) via Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km): 1h 22m from Tokyo Station to Nagano on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (65m to Karuizawa), or 2h 35m from Shinjuku to Matsumoto on the JR Limited Express Azusa. From Nagano Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) & Matsumoto Station (JR Azusa), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) to reach central Matsukawa (35.6053°N, 137.9092°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Nagano with Matsukawa (松川町) and neighboring Takamori, Nakagawa, Iijima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Matsukawa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Matsukawa between Nagano and Takamori can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Matsukawa: While Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) anchors public transit for Matsukawa, picking up a rental car at Nagano Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) & Matsumoto Station (JR Azusa) makes it easy to link Akaishi Mt. (赤石岳) and Minami-komaga-take (南駒ヶ岳) with nearby Takamori (高森町) (5.8 km), Nakagawa (中川村) (7.1 km), Iijima (飯島町) (8.2 km), Toyooka (豊丘村) (8.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Matsukawa (松川町) & Nagano

Dining near Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) and across Matsukawa (松川町) highlights the regional food culture of Nagano Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Matsukawa:

• Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Matsukawa (松川町) and Nagano Prefecture.
• Oyaki (stuffed roasted buckwheat buns) — regional specialty enjoyed across Matsukawa (松川町) and Nagano Prefecture.
• Sanzoku-yaki (crispy garlic fried chicken) — regional specialty enjoyed across Matsukawa (松川町) and Nagano Prefecture.
• Shinshu miso & apples — regional specialty enjoyed across Matsukawa (松川町) and Nagano Prefecture.
• chestnut sweets in Obuse — regional specialty enjoyed across Matsukawa (松川町) and Nagano Prefecture.

If you are dining in Matsukawa (松川町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km).

Where to Stay in Matsukawa (松川町)

Visitors staying overnight in Matsukawa (松川町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km), or base at major rail hubs in Nagano (Nagano Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) & Matsumoto Station (JR Azusa)) or neighboring Takamori, Nakagawa, Iijima for quick train access into Matsukawa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Matsukawa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Matsukawa (松川町, 574 m elevation at 35.6053°N, 137.9092°E): April for Matsumoto & Takato Castle blossoms; July–August for Kamikochi & Karuizawa highland hiking; October for Kiso Valley foliage; Dec–Mar for Hakuba, Nozawa & snow monkeys.

Wider sightseeing across Nagano Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Akaishi Mt. (赤石岳) in Matsukawa (松川町) includes: Original black-walled Matsumoto Castle, Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Nakasendo post towns (Narai-juku, Tsumago, Magome), Kamikochi, and Hakuba/Nozawa Onsen.

Practical Travel Tips for Matsukawa (松川町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Matsukawa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Nagano Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) & Matsumoto Station (JR Azusa) or Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) for local bus schedules to Akaishi Mt. (赤石岳) and walking maps of Matsukawa (松川町).
• Cash & ATMs in Matsukawa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Akaishi Mt. (赤石岳) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Matsukawa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Matsukawa: Around Inaōshima Station (伊那大島駅) (1.1 km) and neighboring Takamori, Nakagawa, Iijima, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.