What to do in Matsumoto when it rains
When Matsumoto turns grey, head for the indoors — centuries of history in its museums, art to lose an hour in, and markets and cafés out of the rain.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Matsumoto City Museum of Art 4-chōme-2-22 Chūō, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0811, Japan
- Former Kaichi School 2-chōme-4-12 Kaichi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0876, Japan
- Matsumoto City Museum 3-chōme-2-21 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
- Japan Ukiyo-e Museum 2206-1 Shimadachi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0852, Japan
- Matsumoto Timepiece Museum 1-chōme-21-15 Chūō, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0811, Japan
- Matsumoto Mingeikan Folk Art Museum 1313-1 Satoyamabe, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0221, Japan
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Guesthouse Azumaya 4-chōme-5-1 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
- Gakubuchi no Takahashi Matsumoto-ten 3-chōme-10-19 Idegawa, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0827, Japan
- シナノ画房 3-chōme-7-8 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815, Japan
- ギャラリーノイエ Japan, 〒390-0874 Nagano, Matsumoto, Ōte, 3-chōme−2−１７ KKビル ２階
- Susan Unique Market 2-chōme-10-1 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
- Yukomori 3-chōme-11-4 Asamaonsen, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0303, Japan
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Matsumoto Castle 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873, Japan
- Nawate Shopping Street Japan, 〒390-0874 Nagano, Matsumoto, Ōte, 3-chōme−4−３ 松本Ｍ―１
- Former Kaichi School 2-chōme-4-12 Kaichi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0876, Japan
- Koboyama Tumulus Japan, 〒390-0822 長野県松本市並柳２丁目１０００番
- Matsumoto Castle Black Gate 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873, Japan
- あがたの森文化会館講堂（旧松本高等学校講堂） Japan, 〒390-0812 Nagano, Matsumoto, Agata, 3-chōme−1−１ 道2541号線
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- DON QUIJOTE Minami-matsumoto 18-22 Futaba, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0833, Japan
- valor 2-chōme-12-13 Sasabe, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0847, Japan
- JA Matsumoto Highland Famazugadenyamabe 1317 Iriyamabe, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0222, Japan
- 浅間温泉わいわい広場 1-chōme-29-17 Asamaonsen, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0303, Japan
- JA Matsumoto Highland 3297-1 Shimadachi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1301, Japan
- 越中屋 4-chōme-1-12 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Coffee Bigaku Abe Japan, 〒390-0815 Nagano, Matsumoto, Fukashi, 1-chōme−2−８ NOVAビル
- Matsumoto City Museum 3-chōme-2-21 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
- Starbucks Coffee - Matsumoto Sasabe 2-chōme-1-55 Sasabe, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0847, Japan
- McDonald's 1-chōme-3-2 Chūō, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0811, Japan
- McDonald's 6-5 Takamiyahigashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0835, Japan
- Hangout Coffee Japan, 〒390-0811 Nagano, Matsumoto, Chūō, 2-chōme−3−２０ 2F
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Aeon Mall Matsumoto 4-chōme-9-51 Chūō, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8560, Japan
- Nagisa Life Site 1-chōme-7-1 Nagisa, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0841, Japan
- Shinmai Media Garden 2-chōme-20-2 Chūō, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0811, Japan
- Alpico plaza 1-chōme-2-30 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815, Japan
- Life Square COMO Shonai 1-chōme-1-1 Idegawa, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0827, Japan
- MIDORI Matsumoto 1-chōme-1-1 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815, Japan
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.