City in Nagano, Japan
Matsumoto for solo travelers
Is Matsumoto good for solo travel?
A compact Nagano city under the Alps with Japan's black castle, quiet streets of craft shops and cafés, and the gateway to Kamikochi. Good for slow trips; winters are cold and nightlife is small.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women, day or night. |
How to meet people in Matsumoto
Guesthouses near the station, music and coffee shops, hiking groups bound for the Alps, and izakaya counters. Small and relaxed rather than social.
Good things to do alone
- Walk around Matsumoto Castle at opening time
- Browse Nakamachi's craft shops and old storehouses
- Day hike in Kamikochi from April to November
- Eat soba and basashi in a back-street restaurant
- Soak at Asama Onsen after a hike
Where to stay in Matsumoto
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Matsumoto Station area | Trains, buses and the easiest base for visitors |
| Nakamachi and Nawate Street | Old merchant houses, craft shops and cafés near the castle |
| Castle area | Quiet, leafy streets and walks around the moat |
| Asama Onsen | Hot spring ryokan and a calmer pace |
Solo travel across Japan
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 5/5 | Limited |
| Kyoto | 5/5 | Limited |
| Osaka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Fukuoka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Hiroshima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nara | 4/5 | Limited |
| Sapporo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Okinawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Niseko | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yokohama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kanazawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Takayama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nagoya | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kamakura | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kobe | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakuba | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ishigaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nagasaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Miyakojima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakodate | 4/5 | Limited |
| Otaru | 4/5 | Limited |
| Beppu | 4/5 | Limited |
| Matsumoto | 4/5 | Limited |
| Koyasan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Sendai | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakone | 3/5 | Limited |
| Kawaguchiko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nikko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shirakawa-go | 3/5 | Limited |
| Furano | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Matsumoto good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). A compact Nagano city under the Alps with Japan's black castle, quiet streets of craft shops and cafés, and the gateway to Kamikochi.
How do you meet people in Matsumoto?
Guesthouses near the station, music and coffee shops, hiking groups bound for the Alps, and izakaya counters. Small and relaxed rather than social. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Matsumoto?
Limited.
Is Matsumoto safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women, day or night.
More about Matsumoto
Going to Matsumoto solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Matsumoto meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.