In 2016, Matsukawa Town earned its official designation as the “Minami Shinshu Matsukawa Apple Wine and Cider Special Zone.” The town is home to 3 breweries where farmers handle every step from cultivation to brewing. In addition, around 20 orchards create their own unique labels through contract brewing at these local facilities. Welcome to experience the rich diversity of tastes born from Matsukawa’s deep-rooted fruit-growing heritage.
Matsukawa is a renowned “Home of Fruit” with a history spanning over 100 years. Starting with cherries that signal the arrival of summer, the town offers fruit picking almost year-round, including blueberries, prunes, peaches, grapes, pears, and apples. A major highlight is the period from August to October, when visitors can enjoy picking multiple types of fruit at once. In early spring, unique activities such as asparagus harvesting are also popular. With a wide range of experiences—including picnics, BBQ, and jam-making—it is the perfect destination for families and groups of friends.
A luxurious lunch experience set within local orchards that are typically not open to tourists outside of the harvest season. As picnic blankets and tableware are provided, guests can enjoy this special occasion empty-handed. It offers a rare opportunity to relax and savor a peaceful moment in the heart of these private fruit groves.
Tree Dome Minami Shinshu Matsukawa is an accommodation that blends the charm of camping and glamping, nestled in a forest at an altitude of 700 meters at the foot of the Central Alps. While the rooms provide a cozy atmosphere with pellet stoves and wooden decks, they are intentionally kept free of televisions and clocks. This design invites guests to step away from the overwhelming flood of information and modern conveniences. It is a place to experience the world with every sense: the whisper of the wind through the trees, the gentle touch of the earth, the sizzling of the grill, the flickering flames of a campfire, and a sky so densely packed with stars it feels as if they might fall. Floating in the forest and embraced by nature, this is a sanctuary to leave behind the hustle and bustle of daily life. Here, visitors can savor the luxury of “free time” amidst the raw, ever-changing beauty of the four seasons.
This 59.2-meter-high gravity concrete dam was constructed on the upper reaches of Katagiri Matasukawa River in the Tenryu River system. Its primary purposes are flood control, maintaining a stable river flow, and securing a reliable supply of water for the public water system. The lakeside is filled with beautiful seasonal nature, from young leaves in spring, deep green in summer, and red leaves in autumn to snow-covered scenery in winter, captivating visitors. Well-maintained walking paths around the lake enable visitors to refresh themselves in nature while admiring the structural beauty of the dam and the tranquil lake surface. It is also a popular spot for bird watching and photography, beloved by locals and tourists alike. This is a soothing spot where you can feel the changing seasons in a quiet and tranquil atmosphere.
The people in the Bena area, located to the east of Matsukawa Town, are working to develop the area so that people can enjoy the rich natural environment and beautiful scenery overlooking the Central Japan Alps, with the motto of Turning the Entire Village into a Park. The area is dotted with scenic spots on high ground and walking paths where you can encounter rare plants and flowers. Recommended for those who want to be immersed in the nostalgic scenery of satoyama (the area where the villages meet the mountains).
Every year from late September to early October, 50,000 red spider lilies brightly color the temple grounds and plum orchards, making it a spectacular spot symbolizing the arrival of autumn. The best time to see them is generally short, lasting about a week. The bell towers and guardian deity statues scattered around make for a beautiful landscape that is popular with photographers. This is a perfect place for those who want to enjoy a relaxing autumn day while gazing at the sea of fiery red spider lilies.
At Baishoen Matsutake Cottage and Buckwheat Noodles, an Outdoor Plaza, you can enjoy the blessings of the mountains throughout the seasons; their popular lunch menu features handmade soba noodles made with 100 percent locally grown buckwheat flour. Enjoy mountain vegetables in the spring, BBQ and catching fish with your hands in the summer, matsutake mushroom dishes prepared exclusively with fresh matsutake harvested from local mountains in the fall, game meat in the winter, and a full range of authentic outdoor gourmet cuisine unique to the countryside. Lunch is served from 11:00 to 13:30 (from 10:30 on Sundays). Reservations are recommended. The cuisine, which brings out the best of its ingredients, and the dining experience in nature are a delight that will satisfy everyone from children to adults.
An experiential restaurant where you can savor French cuisine surrounded by fruit trees—from the blooming blossoms of spring to the harvest of cherries, peaches, pears, and apples. Enjoy a guided walk through the orchard with the farm owner while gazing at the Southern and Central Alps, then raise a toast with local cider. Afterward, move to your table and enjoy a gourmet meal prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Chanting is a traditional Nichiren Buddhist practice that involves chanting the mantra “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” At Kakurinbo, you can meditate and feel the Buddhist spirit by joining your hands together and repeating the mantra in the main hall, whether alone or with others.
