[Nagano] Matsumoto is a castle town that is easy for women to travel alone. 10 recommended hotels and ryokan

Matsumoto City in Nagano is a town with plenty of spots where you can feel the romance of history, such as the national treasure Matsumoto Castle, Nawate-dori and Nakamachi-dori streets where you can feel like you've traveled back in time to the Edo period, and the retro Western-style building of the former Kaichi School. It's also easy to get to, about three hours by bus from Tokyo, making it the perfect place to enjoy a casual trip.

Matsumoto City actually has many lodgings that welcome solo travelers. This shows how popular solo travelers are. Having options other than business hotels can add to the fun of your trip! Why not choose a lodging that suits your taste and make your solo trip even more fulfilling?

In this article, we will introduce hotels and ryokan with a focus on the stylishness and cleanliness of the rooms, amenities, etc. We will introduce a wide range of accommodations, from affordable to luxury, so please use this as reference for your trip.

*The information listed is current as of December 2023. Please check the official website for the latest information when making a reservation.

The hotel is located about a 2-minute walk from the national treasure Matsumoto Castle and about a 6-minute walk from Nakamachi Street, lined with storehouses. If you use this hotel as your base, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the castle town after arriving at the hotel. The hotel itself has an elegant Western-style atmosphere, and the banquet hall where breakfast is served, Harmonie Bien, is registered as a tangible cultural property.

All of the guest rooms are modern Western-style. In addition to the bed, there is a desk, sofa, and table, so you can spend a fulfilling night rather than just sleeping. Although it has the atmosphere of a luxury hotel, you can stay here for just under 7,000 yen without meals.

The bathrooms in the rooms are unit baths, but the bathtub is large enough that you can stretch your legs out, so you can relax comfortably. There is space around the sink to store skin care products, so it is very convenient.

Founded in the Meiji era, this stylish hotel was rebranded in 2016. It features a retro interior design known as "Matsumoto folk craft furniture." There are also stylish shops on the premises, such as the "Yasoroku Onkan" coffee shop, where you can enjoy cloth-drip coffee, and the "Tsumugu" general store, where you can purchase Matsumoto folk crafts. It is about a 5-minute walk from Matsumoto Castle.

The guest rooms are simple, but that actually gives them a sophisticated atmosphere. If you enjoy a retro feel, we recommend a room in the old building, which still has wooden beams and plaster walls.

There is a large public bath here, where you can relax and soak in the tub. The water is "Fukashi no Mizu," which is groundwater that is the result of melting snow from the Alps. The water is soothing and gentle on the skin. The hotel also offers great amenities, such as indoor wear.

The hotel is proud of its cuisine, prepared by a chef who has trained at famous restaurants both in Japan and abroad. There are a variety of courses to delight your palate, including creative French cuisine and Japanese banquet dishes that use plenty of ingredients from Nagano Prefecture. Why not treat yourself to a slightly luxurious dinner?

This hotel is located just a minute's walk from the west exit of JR Matsumoto Station, and yet offers reasonable accommodation. Hotels in front of stations are convenient in many ways, as you can leave your luggage immediately after arriving and board the train immediately after leaving the hotel. This hotel has single rooms that are perfect for solo travelers, and you can sleep comfortably on fluffy down comforters.

As a priority service for guests staying at the hotel, bicycles are available for free rental. It's convenient and makes it easy to get around the city. Why not try using one when sightseeing in Matsumoto? (*Image is for illustrative purposes only)

This business hotel is located about a 5-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station. The recommended point is the breakfast buffet, which has received high reviews. You can enjoy "mother's taste" using seasonal ingredients from Nagano.

The hotel is equipped with large public baths for men and women, which use natural water. They are available from 3pm to midnight, and from 5am the next morning! It's nice to be able to stretch out your arms and legs in the large bathtub.

The hotel is located about a 7-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station. There is a free shuttle bus from the station, so it is easy to access. It is also convenient for those with large luggage.

The best thing about this hotel is that guests can enjoy the large public bath at onsen ryokan "Shoho" for free! Although there are time restrictions, there is a free shuttle bus to onsen ryokan, so you can enjoy it easily.

The entire hotel has a luxurious atmosphere, like a wedding venue. Every room has a high-class feel, and you can relax and unwind. There are also plans available that allow you to check in after 6pm, so if you want to keep your accommodation costs down, be sure to check them out!

About a 20-minute bus ride from JR Matsumoto Station is a onsen resort that has been loved as an inner sanctum. One of the attractions of the Matsumoto area is that you can enjoy sightseeing in the castle town and a trip to onsen at the same time. This onsen hotel is a long-established establishment that was founded in 1885. There are various room types, so it is recommended for those who want a reasonable stay as well as those who want to relax and enjoy a little luxury.

The waters of onsen are alkaline simple onsen, and are said to make your skin smooth. In addition to the large public bath, there are three private open-air baths that you can use for free for 40 minutes. If you want to extend your stay, it's a reasonable 500 yen for 30 minutes. Why not enjoy the sense of freedom of a solo trip in a spacious open-air bath?

For those who want to splurge, we recommend the "Modern Japanese-style Double" room, which comes equipped with a massage chair. The bed is made by Kingsdown, a company used in first-class hotels in the United States and Tokyo. If you sleep soundly in a high-quality bed, you will be able to relieve the fatigue of your trip and wake up refreshed the next morning! It's perfect for a reward trip.

Unusually for a onsen ryokan, there are also Western-style single rooms available.

If you like the atmosphere of guesthouses and dormitories (shared rooms), this place is recommended. It is popular for its pop and stylish interior, a renovated Japanese-style room, and you can stay there for the exceptional price of just 3,000 yen per night.

This inn also has a restaurant that is well-known for its homemade dishes. Seating is around the "irori" hearth, and you may have to share a table with other guests. Why not exchange information and enjoy communicating with fellow travelers?

If you are a woman traveling alone and looking for a reasonable and safe place to stay, we recommend a 6-tatami Japanese-style room. You can be sure of your privacy, and the style of laying a futon on the tatami mats will make you feel like you are traveling♪

The water is, of course, onsen Onsen. It is 100% natural spring water. The bathhouse interior is colorful, so you can bathe in a happy mood.

Located in onsen as a hot onsen ryokan brand of "Hoshino Resorts," "Kai Matsumoto" is an ryokan where you can feel the "Matsumoto-ness" in every aspect, including the interior, food, and music. Another attraction is that you can stay alone in a room with an onsen bath. You can enjoy a luxurious trip.

For dinner, enjoy the marriage of Shinshu wine and multi-course meals. There is also a pairing course where you can enjoy a variety of wines from local wineries, and you can enjoy wines to match your food. Enjoy a private meal overlooking the courtyard.

In the lobby, which features a high vaulted ceiling, concerts are held every night in honor of Matsumoto City, known as a city of music. Why not enjoy a glass of wine carefully selected from Shinshu wineries while immersing yourself in the beautiful music echoing through the dome?

This inn with a warm atmosphere is located in Utsukushigahara onsen, about a 20-minute bus ride from JR Matsumoto Station. The lobby with a fireplace and the lounge furnished with antique furniture such as Matsumoto folk art are perfect for relaxing and reading. In the space equipped with high-quality audio equipment, you can spend a luxurious adult time intoxicated with alcohol and jazz.

There are a variety of rooms with different themes, including those with lofts, hearths, and folk art. All rooms except "Keyaki" are available for single occupancy, but only on weekdays. We recommend "Alps," which has a claw-foot bathtub. You can see the Northern Alps outside the window. Rocking in an antique rocking chair and gazing at the majestic mountain scenery... You'll be able to enjoy a stay that's like a scene from a movie.

The large public bath is filled with fresh natural hot onsen that springs up on the premises. The open-air bath surrounded by steam and soft light is a dreamlike sight, and is sure to soothe both body and mind. There is also a mist sauna in the women's large public bath. The set temperature is low, so it's not stuffy and you can sweat it out thoroughly.

This inn is "very welcoming to single diners." They offer a one-night stay plan with two meals, which is only available on weekdays, where you can choose your favorite room. Dinner includes dishes that let you feel the seasonal flavors of Nagano, such as wild vegetables, bamboo shoots, handmade soba noodles, and game meat. Please enjoy the luxury of eating fresh mountain produce with simple seasonings.

The storehouse-style exterior looks like something straight out of a period drama. It's only fitting that a onsen inn like this exists in a castle town. Founded in the Meiji era, this small inn has 15 rooms, and what makes it so appealing is that you can stay here for one night with two meals included at a reasonable price.

The compact 6-tatami room with a toilet is just the right size for a solo traveler. Although it is a long-established hotel founded in the Meiji era, the rooms are well-maintained and clean. After a bath or dinner, lounging on the tatami mats is the best part of a onsen trip!

There are various baths, such as the private open-air bath "Yamanobe no Yu" full of rustic charm, the "Komorebi no Yu" with its open windows, and the indoor bath "Goten no Yu" with its lovely retro mosaic tile atmosphere. The free private bath "Tsukama no Yu" is a cypress bath, so you can relax and enjoy onsen while surrounded by the scent of wood.

For meal, please enjoy the private room-style meal area, perfect for solo travelers. For dinner, you can choose from three different menus: sashimi, grilled dishes, and tsukemono. You can enjoy dishes such as "Three kinds of sashimi of pure stream fish" and "Shinshu beef hot stone steak." The next morning, you can enjoy healthy Japanese meals such as "Overnight dried rainbow trout" and "Easy-to-prepare soy milk tofu."

We have introduced 10 hotels and ryokan that are recommended for women and are OK for solo travelers. What do you think? Choose an inn that suits you and enjoy a carefree solo trip.