Matsukawa, town in Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture, Japan
Matsukawa is a small town in Nagano Prefecture nestled between the Central and Southern Japanese Alps, defined by terraced orchards that cover its hillsides. The Tenryu River flows through the Ina Valley nearby, supporting a landscape where apples and nashi pears grow alongside seasonal changes that paint the area in different colors.
The town developed over more than a century as a recognized fruit-growing area, with terraces carefully carved into mountainsides to create ideal growing conditions. Its long history as a stopping point for travelers shaped a culture of hospitality that remains visible today in how locals welcome visitors.
The name Matsukawa relates to the pine trees that once defined the region, reflecting how deeply the people here connect with their natural surroundings. The terraced orchards serve as spaces where visitors can directly experience this bond with the land and witness how locals take pride in their way of life.
The town is easily reached by train or bus, as it connects well to other places in Nagano Prefecture, and the quiet scenery makes the journey itself enjoyable. Checking local transportation schedules before you travel helps you plan your activities and visits properly.
The town operates on a concept of gradually falling in love with the area, where experiences like fruit picking on terraced orchards serve as symbols of this gradual process of discovering the place. This deliberate approach to tourism differs from sites that push for quick impressions and instead invites deeper engagement.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
