Matsumoto, formerly a castle town and now a bustling, modern city, is located in Nagano Prefecture, in the Chubu region of Japan.

The most famous site in Matsumoto is its stunning feudal era castle, which is a national treasure and one of the few remaining castles from that period in Japanese history. It is set atop a hill and its walls are black, making for a stunning spectacle. Matsumoto is also well known for its delicious cuisine, which includes tasty soba noodles and locally grown wasabi.