Matsukawa Village, located in northern Nagano Prefecture, is a peaceful rural community surrounded by the magnificent mountains of the Northern Alps. Situated in the northern part of the Azumino area, between Omachi City and Azumino City, the village is known for its spectacular mountain views, expansive rice fields, clear streams, and relaxed countryside atmosphere.
With the snow-covered peaks of the Northern Alps rising in the distance, Matsukawa offers some of the most picturesque rural scenery in the region. Cherry blossoms and fresh greenery brighten the landscape in spring, lush rice paddies spread across the countryside in summer, golden fields appear in autumn, and snow transforms the village into a tranquil winter landscape.
Matsukawa is also home to cultural attractions, museums, historic temples and shrines, farms, hot springs, outdoor recreation areas, and local food experiences. It is an appealing destination for travelers who want to experience not only the scenery of the Japanese Alps, but also the art, food, and everyday culture of a traditional rural community.
The defining landscape of Matsukawa is the combination of the Northern Alps and peaceful agricultural fields. From the village, visitors can look across broad expanses of rice paddies toward the dramatic mountain range, creating a classic Japanese countryside scene.
In spring, snow remains on the mountain peaks while cherry blossoms and young greenery appear around the village. Summer brings vivid green rice fields beneath blue skies. In autumn, the paddies turn golden as the rice ripens, while winter covers the mountains and countryside in snow.
The changing light and seasons make Matsukawa especially attractive to photographers. Simply walking or cycling through the rural landscape can provide memorable views of the mountains, fields, waterways, and traditional settlements.
The mountains surrounding Matsukawa include Mount Ariake, Mount Amabiki, and Mount Marao. These mountains and their foothills provide opportunities for hiking, walking, and enjoying the natural environment.
The area around Mount Marao is particularly suited to outdoor recreation. Its forests and highland scenery offer a refreshing escape in summer, while snow creates a completely different landscape during winter.
Several rivers flow through Matsukawa, including the Takase River, Chigawa River, Nakabusa River, Ashima River, and Maekawa River. Fed by water from the Northern Alps, these rivers nourish the village’s agricultural land and help create its lush rural landscape.
The clear water and green surroundings also provide opportunities for fishing and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside. The sound of flowing water adds to the sense of tranquility that characterizes Matsukawa.
Azumino Chihiro Art Museum is one of Matsukawa Village’s most famous attractions. The museum focuses on the work of renowned Japanese picture-book artist Chihiro Iwasaki, whose delicate watercolor paintings are celebrated for their soft colors and sensitive portrayals of children and everyday life.
The museum also introduces works by picture-book artists from Japan and around the world, creating a diverse collection that appeals to both art lovers and families.
Inside the museum, visitors can browse a library containing approximately 3,000 picture books and find spaces designed for children. There is also a picture-book café where visitors can relax while enjoying views toward the Northern Alps.
The museum is surrounded by the spacious Azumino Chihiro Park, where visitors can enjoy walking, picnicking, and relaxing outdoors. The open landscape provides a beautiful setting for the museum, with the Northern Alps visible beyond the surrounding greenery.
Flowers, trees, and grasses change with the seasons, making the park enjoyable throughout the year. Combining a visit to the museum with a leisurely walk through the park is one of the best ways to experience the artistic and natural atmosphere of Matsukawa.
The Shinano Matsukawa Museum of Art is another place where visitors can experience the area’s cultural life. Surrounded by the landscapes of Azumino, the museum provides an opportunity to enjoy art in a peaceful rural setting.
Suzune Hall serves as a local cultural center for concerts, performances, presentations, and other events. Known for its good acoustics, the hall contributes to Matsukawa’s active cultural scene and provides opportunities to experience music and performing arts in the countryside.
Kansho-in Temple is an important historical site in Matsukawa. The temple is home to a Miroku Bosatsu Hanka Shiyu Statue, regarded as one of the oldest of its kind in Nagano Prefecture and designated as an Important Cultural Property.
The quiet temple grounds offer a chance to appreciate the area’s religious and cultural heritage while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding countryside.
Matsukawa is also home to historic shrines such as Uzume Shrine and Owada Shrine. These shrines have long been connected with the local communities and continue to preserve traditions and seasonal ceremonies.
Visiting these smaller local shrines provides a different perspective on Matsukawa. Rather than simply seeing famous tourist attractions, travelers can gain a glimpse into the customs and traditions that remain part of everyday life in the village.
Alps Azumino National Government Park, Omachi-Matsukawa Area is a spacious outdoor park where visitors can enjoy the natural environment of the Japanese Alps. It is well suited to families and groups, with opportunities for walking, cycling, barbecuing, and other outdoor activities.
The park provides a convenient way to enjoy the mountain landscape without undertaking a difficult hike. It is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a relaxed day surrounded by nature.
Marao Highlands is a forested highland area where visitors can enjoy fresh mountain air and seasonal scenery. During summer, the cooler temperatures make it a pleasant place to escape the heat of the lowlands.
When winter arrives, snow covers the highlands and creates opportunities for enjoying the snowy landscape and winter recreation. The changing scenery makes Marao an attractive destination in every season.
Kabochayama Farm offers seasonal fruit-picking experiences by advance reservation. Visitors can enjoy different fruits depending on the time of year, providing a hands-on introduction to the agricultural culture of the Azumino region.
Strawberry picking is available from around mid-January through late June, followed by blueberries from July to August. In autumn, visitors can enjoy Sun Fuji apples from early to mid-November.
Picking fresh fruit surrounded by the mountains and countryside is an enjoyable experience for both children and adults. It is also a wonderful way to appreciate the agricultural landscapes that form such an important part of Matsukawa’s identity.
Igu Pan is a local bakery specializing in bread made with Japanese-grown wheat and natural yeast. Its carefully prepared breads are popular with visitors looking for a casual meal or something special to take home.
The adjoining café serves sandwiches, soup, salads, and a weekly special known as “This Week’s Bread Meal”. Enjoying freshly baked bread while surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of Matsukawa is a simple but memorable part of a countryside trip.
Michi-no-Eki Azumino Matsukawa “Yotte-te Matsukawa” is a roadside station where visitors can purchase local agricultural products, regional specialties, and prepared foods.
The selection includes local vegetables and other farm products, as well as oyaki and meals prepared with ingredients from the region. Visitors can choose from set meals, rice bowls, noodle dishes, and other casual local fare.
The roadside station is also a convenient stop for finding souvenirs and taking a break while exploring the Azumino area by car. From late summer into autumn, events inspired by the village’s association with suzumushi, or bell crickets, may also be held.
Suzumushi-so is a hot-spring accommodation facility where visitors can enjoy natural hot-spring water drawn from approximately 1,800 meters underground beneath the Marao Highlands.
The large communal baths and open-air baths offer views of the mountains of Azumino, creating a relaxing setting after a day of sightseeing or outdoor activities. Guests can also enjoy dishes prepared with locally grown rice and vegetables.
A visit to the hot springs is an ideal way to slow down after exploring the Northern Alps, and staying overnight provides an opportunity to experience the peaceful atmosphere of Matsukawa after the day-trippers have left.
The Furusato Festival brings local residents and visitors together to celebrate Matsukawa’s community culture. Traditional dances, music, local food, and other activities create a lively atmosphere and offer visitors an opportunity to experience the village beyond its scenic landscapes.
In the evening, a fireworks display lights up the summer night sky. The festival provides a colorful contrast to the peaceful rural scenery found during the daytime.
Spring brings a beautiful contrast between snow remaining on the Northern Alps, cherry blossoms, and fresh green vegetation. Meltwater flows down from the mountains, while the fields gradually awaken for another agricultural season.
Summer turns the rice fields vivid green beneath the blue sky. Visitors can enjoy the cooler air of Marao Highlands, explore Alps Azumino National Government Park, or spend a relaxing day surrounded by nature at Azumino Chihiro Park.
Autumn transforms the countryside into a sea of golden rice fields. It is also an excellent season for enjoying freshly harvested agricultural products and seasonal fruit, providing a taste of Matsukawa’s rich farming culture.
Winter brings snow to the surrounding mountains and creates a quiet, beautiful landscape. Snow activities can be enjoyed in suitable areas, while hot springs offer a warm and relaxing way to experience the winter scenery.
Matsukawa Village is a beautiful rural destination where the magnificent Northern Alps meet peaceful rice fields and traditional countryside life. Here, travelers can enjoy mountain scenery while walking through agricultural landscapes, listen to clear streams, taste seasonal produce, and experience the slower rhythm of rural Japan.
The village offers a wide variety of experiences. Visitors can explore the world of picture books at Azumino Chihiro Art Museum, discover local history at Kansho-in Temple and traditional shrines, enjoy outdoor activities in Marao Highlands and Alps Azumino National Government Park, and experience seasonal fruit picking at a local farm.
Local bakeries, roadside-station cuisine, fresh agricultural products, and mountain hot springs add another dimension to the journey. Rather than simply sightseeing, visitors can experience the everyday culture and flavors of a community shaped by its mountains, water, and farmland.
Majestic mountains, clear water, expansive rice fields, art, history, food, and hot springs all come together in Matsukawa Village. For travelers looking for a peaceful introduction to the landscapes and culture of the Japanese Alps, Matsukawa offers a chance to slow down and enjoy the beauty of rural Nagano at its own pace.