Hi there!
Walking on Nawate Street can be a part of a walking tour through the streets of Matsumoto.
You can make a slight detour here before or after a visit to the Matsumoto Castle when you’re coming from the direction of the train station or the bus station.
This street is located around a 5 minute walk from the castle, and around 10 minutes from both the Matsumoto train station and the Matsumoto bus terminal.
So if you only have a couple of hours before you leave by train or by bus from Matsumoto, then you can wander on Nawate Street too. (map – train station > bus station > nawate street > castle)
According to the Matsumoto tourism department:
With a long history in Matsumoto, Nawate Street’s stone-paved street with its many tiny shops is a charming place to stroll.
This is a small little street and point to point from start to end will take you just a few minutes to walk.
Frog Street
Nawate Street has become known as Frog Street.
At the beginning of Nawate Street (or at the end, depending on which direction you’re coming from), you’ll see a bunch of frogs.
It’s said that this street used to be home to a whole bunch of frogs (real ones) but they disappeared due to a natural disaster. You can say that the spirit of these frogs live on today with all the frog statues. 😉
🗾🐸
Now…
Here’s a bit more of what you’ll see walking on this tiny Nawate Street!
Japanese street snacks on Nawate Street
There are a couple of Japanese snacks you can try when you’re here too.
Taiyaki
You can get freshly made taiyaki, which is basically a cream-filled waffle cake.
If you want to try a classic taiyaki, you can go for the red bean paste (anko) taiyaki. Otherwise, the taiyaki shop on Nawate Street also offers a bunch of other filling flavors too.
Senbei
You can also get another classic Japanese snack when walking on Nawate Street in the form of senbei, which is basically a toasted (and flavored) rice cracker.
Besides taiyaki and senbei in Matsumoto, also be on the lookout for takoyaki and okonomiyaki for Japanese street food when traveling around Japan!
And that’s a bit of what walking on Nawate Street might look like!
And if you’re coming from the direction of the train station or bus station, you can first walk by the Genchi Well (considered the most renowed well in Matsumoto), make a detour to walk along Nakamachi Street, and then make your way to Nawate Street.
And then after your walk along Nawate Street you can continue walking the streets of Matsumoto towards Matsumoto Castle!
HAPPY WALKING MATSUMOTO ON NAWATE STREET!
