Matsumoto is Nagano’s second biggest city and one of its most popular destinations thanks to Matsumoto Castle, Kamikochi and other nearby sightseeing spots. In addition to its many hotels and restaurants, it also boasts plenty of cafes.

Whether you’re taking a break from sightseeing or just relaxing in the city, there’s nothing like a trip to a café for a sweet treat and pick-me-up.

Here are some of our favorites.

Coffee Abe

An early morning Showa-Retro Café

Located not far from Matsumoto Station, Coffee Abe is a popular morning stop for people on their way to work.

Opened in 1957, Coffee Abe is considered one of the pioneers of Matsumoto’s café culture and remains a favorite among locals. Its interior is warm and friendly, decorated with stained-glass lamps and colorful knick-knacks collected over the years.

One of its most popular drinks is the Moka Cream au lait—a coffee float with milk. The drink is made in front of you, with the server delicately pouring hot coffee and milk over a large scoop of coffee ice cream. The performance is almost as good as the drink itself.

Breakfast items are quite cheap (another reason for its popularity). Their cinnamon toast is only 50 yen! See their full menu here.

Details

Hours: 7:00 to 19:00
Holidays: Tuesdays
Address: 1-2-8 Fukashi, Matsumoto City
Access: A 5-minute walk from Matsumoto Station

High-Five Coffee Stand

Stylish coffee roaster specializing in single origin coffee

Just 500 meters from the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, High-Five Coffee Stand is a great place to grab a quick and delicious coffee.

High-Five Coffee Stand’s all-glass façade stands out among the other shops along Matsumoto’s main drag. You immediately peer inside, eye darting from colorful action figure to quirky painting, eventually resting on the shop’s centerpiece, its teal La Marzocco espresso machine.

This shop specializes in single origin coffees from around the world with up to five different bean varieties at any given time. For coffee purists, their hand drip coffee is the way to go. But if you’re looking for something unique, they offer seasonal drinks like lemon coffee in summer and Mexican mochas in winter.

While the shop isn’t particularly large, there is enough seating to have a quick cup before heading on your way to the museum or Matsumoto Castle.

Details

Hours: 10:00 to 19:00
Holidays: Wednesdays (with occasional irregular holidays)
Address: 3-1-3 Fukashi, Matsumoto City
Access: A 12-minute walk from Matsumoto Station

Healthy Penguin Café

Hearty and healthy vegan cuisine

Despite what some people may assume about a country known for its tofu, it is not easy to find vegetarian or vegan dishes in Japan. But visitors to Matsumoto are in luck: the Healthy Penguin Café offers a 100% vegan menu.

This small (three-table) café-restaurant serves a variety of hearty vegan dishes such as their burrito bowl and winter curry, as well as delicious, guilt-free desserts like vegan peanut butter cups and bliss balls.

The owner, originally from the U.K., is very welcoming and happy to talk to guests when not busy prepping meals. He says that lunch items take some time to prepare, so give yourself plenty of time to catch your train or make your next appointment before stopping by!

Details

Hours: 11:00 to 17:00
Holidays: Wednesdays (with occasional irregular holidays)
Address: 4-3-25 Ote, Matsumoto City
Access: A 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station

Coffee Marumo

Coffee and cake in a uniquely Matsumoto atmosphere

Coffee Marumo is a Matsumoto Institution. It was designed by the founder of the Matsumoto Craft Furniture movement and opened over 60 years ago. The traditional Japanese interior, accentuated by beams of dark wood, is filled with beautifully crafted tables and chairs and its walls decorated with photographs of the nearby Japanese Alps. It doesn’t get more “Matsumoto” than this.

Their menu offers a simple but delicious selection of coffees (no espressos here) and sides. There are several desserts to choose from, and popular options include their cheesecake and tiramisu.

Details

Hours: 9:00 to 16:00
Holidays: Tuesdays
Address: 3-3-10 Chuo, Matsumoto City
Access: A 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station

Nakamachi Café

Delicious souffle pancakes on historic Nakamachi Street

Along Matsumoto’s Nakamachi street of traditional earthen-walled storehouses are many cafes and shops. Nakamachi Café is one of them, and it offers a wide menu of food and drink that will satisfy your cravings for lunch, a sweet treat or just a good cup of coffee.

The traditional earthen-walled façade belies the spacious and modern atmosphere of Nakamachi Café’s interior. Spherical paper lanterns hang from its high ceiling and illuminate the white walls, dark wood floor and assortment of tables and chairs.

One of their most popular dishes is their souffle pancakes. Most people will opt for one of their sweet flavors such as salt caramel, chocolate or strawberry, but there are savory options too. Indulge in these sumptuous pancakes and pair with a cup of coffee made with freshly roasted beans from their partner store down the street.

Details

Hours: 10:00 to 18:00
Holidays: Thursdays
Address: 3-3-17 Chuo, Matsumoto City
Access: A 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station

Cohiludo

A stylish café with a Nagano twist

Cohiludo combines an elegant café atmosphere with some of Nagano’s most popular traditional foods: oyaki dumplings and soba noodles.

Most visitors to Matsumoto will recognize Cohiludo when they see it. Its design is a blend of traditional and contemporary, featuring a long, slanted roof reminiscent of Shinto shrines and glass-covered walls on the front and side. Through the windows, you can see its matte-grey interior furnished with large wooden tables.

Cohiludo’s menu has a wide variety of oyaki dumplings, some of which are hard to find anywhere else. In addition to more traditional flavors like nozawana pickle and kinpira (a sauté of root vegetables), you’ll also find keema curry and apple custard oyaki.

Their beverages include common espresso-based drinks as well some more Japanese options, like their matcha latte or the even rarer amazake latte—a combination of amazake, a fermented rice drink, and milk.

Details

Hours: 11:00 to 17:00
Holidays: Wednesdays from December thru February
Address: 3-5-11 Ote, Matsumoto City
Access: A 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station on the way to Matsumoto Castle

Conclusion

Matsumoto is one of Nagano's most popular cities for travelers and residents alike. Centered around Matsumoto Castle, it stays true to its traditional roots and seems to buzz with a creative energy. Everywhere you turn, you find something new and interesting, whether it's a small shrine covered in frog statues or a colorful and inviting cafe.

There are many more wonderful cafes around Matsumoto—too many to cover in one article—but we’ll continue to add more as time goes on!