Things to do in Matsumoto, no research required

Matsumoto is the one people cut when the itinerary gets tight, and it’s the wrong cut. Kamikōchi anchors it, a valley worth a full day on its own and reason enough to be in this part of the country. In town, 大西堂 does oyaki dumplings that make a better lunch than anything near the station, and THE SAKE PUB SHINSHU MATSUMOTO covers the evening. Storyhouse Cafe & Bar handles the stretch that’s too late for lunch and too early for dinner, which on a mountain-town day is most of the afternoon. Smaller list than Tokyo or Kyoto get, and every pin on it earns the space.