Japan Travel on firebirdテックトーク

Matsumoto 2-Day Travel Guide: Castles, Castle Town & Shinshu Food — Everything You Need to Know

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 01:30:00 +0900

Matsumoto is one of those rare Japanese cities that packs a remarkable amount into a small area. Two National Treasures (Matsumoto Castle and Old Kaichi School), a castle town with genuine historic streetscapes, a world-class art museum, mountain spring water, and one of Japan’s best regional food cultures — all within walking distance of each other.

Two days is the sweet spot. One day feels rushed; three days gives you room for a side trip to Kamikochi.

Matsumoto Castle & Castle Town: A 2-Day Trip to Japan's "Deepest" Fortress【June 2024】

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 01:00:00 +0900

I told myself, “One visit to Matsumoto Castle is enough.” And yet the next morning, I was walking back toward it.

That pretty much says everything.

In late June 2024, I spent two days in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Home to one of Japan’s twelve remaining original castle keeps, Matsumoto Castle — nicknamed “Karasu-jo” (Crow Castle) for its striking black exterior — was at the top of my list.

Toslove Tateyama Luana & Kamogawa SeaWorld: Complete Guide — IT Health Insurance Resort, Access, Costs & Orca Show Tips

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:35:00 +0900

On the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, about two hours from Tokyo by car, sits one of the most unusual value propositions in Japanese travel: a hilltop ocean-view resort where IT industry workers can stay for ¥6,600 per person, including a full multi-course kaiseki dinner and breakfast.

This guide covers how to use the Toslove Tateyama Luana IT-Kenpo resort, how to pair it with Kamogawa SeaWorld, and everything practical you need to plan the trip.

Tateyama & Kamogawa 2-Day Trip: ¥6,600 Kaiseki Dinner at an IT Health Insurance Resort — and the Orca Show That Got Us Soaked

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0900

A full kaiseki dinner. Fresh seafood sashimi. A view of the Pacific from a hilltop balcony. And all of it, accommodation plus two meals, for ¥6,600 per person.

This was the trip that made me genuinely grateful to work in the IT industry.

In late October 2024, I spent two days in the Tateyama and Kamogawa area of Chiba Prefecture’s Southern Boso Peninsula. The stay was at Toslove Tateyama Luana — a resort run by the Kanto IT Software Health Insurance Society (IT-Kenpo) — followed by the orca show at Kamogawa SeaWorld. Both exceeded expectations.