10 Great Cafés in Matsumoto

From Retro Kissaten to Modern Coffee Stands

Matsumoto is famous for Matsumoto Castle, soba noodles, and its historic streets — but the city also has a wonderful café culture.

You can find traditional Japanese kissaten coffee shops, cafés inside renovated old buildings, specialty coffee stands, and book cafés all within walking distance of the city center.

If you are exploring Matsumoto Castle, Nakamachi Street, or Nawate Street, stopping for coffee is a perfect way to slow down and enjoy the city.

Here are 10 cafés worth adding to your Matsumoto itinerary.

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1. Marumo Coffee｜A Classic Matsumoto Kissaten

Marumo Coffee is one of Matsumoto’s best-known traditional coffee shops.

The café is part of Marumo Ryokan. The inn was founded in 1868, while the present building dates from the late 19th century. The café itself opened in 1956 and is furnished with traditional Matsumoto folk furniture.

The warm wooden interior makes it a wonderful place to experience the atmosphere of an old Japanese kissaten.

Best for:
Retro cafés, Japanese folk craft, and a quiet break near Nakamachi Street.

Address:
3-3-10 Chuo, Matsumoto

Hours:
9:00–16:00
Closed Monday and Tuesday, except public holidays.

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2. Coffee Bigaku Abe｜A Matsumoto Coffee Institution Since 1957

Coffee Bigaku Abe is a long-established coffee shop near Matsumoto Station.

It opened in 1957 and has played an important role in Matsumoto’s traditional coffee culture. One of its signature drinks is the Mocha Cream Au Lait, made with coffee and ice cream.

The café is also well known for its morning service, making it a good place to start a day of sightseeing. Matsumoto’s official tourism site lists it about a five-minute walk from Matsumoto Station.

Best for:
Breakfast, retro Japanese cafés, and visitors staying near Matsumoto Station.

Address:
1-2-8 Fukashi, Matsumoto

Coffee Bigaku Abe official website

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3. NAKAMACHI CAFÉ｜Fluffy Rice-Flour Soufflé Pancakes

Located on historic Nakamachi Street, NAKAMACHI CAFÉ is a convenient stop during a walk through the old merchant district.

Its specialty is fluffy soufflé pancakes made with original rice flour using Nagano-grown rice. The café also serves specialty coffee and lunch dishes.

The relaxed atmosphere makes it especially easy to recommend to international travelers looking for both sweets and coffee.

Best for:
Pancakes, sweets, lunch, and a break while exploring Nakamachi Street.

Address:
3-3-17 Chuo, Matsumoto

Hours:
10:00–18:00
Closed Thursday.

NAKAMACHI CAFÉ official website

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4. Kamenoya Coffee｜Old-School Japanese Café Atmosphere

Kamenoya preserves the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese coffee shop while serving freshly roasted coffee and classic café dishes.

The current shop inherited the setting of the historic Okina-do Sabo coffee shop, which had operated for more than 60 years.

It is within easy walking distance of Matsumoto Castle and Nawate Street.

Best for:
Traditional kissaten atmosphere and a quiet coffee break near Matsumoto Castle.

Address:
4-7-22 Ote, Matsumoto

Hours:
8:00–18:00
Closed on irregular days.

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5. Kauhiya 3-Banchi｜A Quiet Retro Coffee Stop

Kauhiya 3-Banchi is a small coffee shop in central Matsumoto, close to the Nakamachi area.

It is listed as a coffee shop and café at 2-9-21 Chuo and is a good option for travelers who prefer a quieter, old-fashioned coffee break rather than a large modern café.

Best for:
Slow coffee time and travelers looking for a less hurried café experience.

Address:
2-9-21 Chuo, Matsumoto

Because smaller cafés can change their opening days, checking the latest information before visiting is recommended.

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6. Hangout Coffee｜A Modern Café in Central Matsumoto

Hangout Coffee offers a more contemporary side of Matsumoto’s café scene.

It opened in 2022 and is located on the second floor of a building between Matsumoto Station and the Nakamachi area. Current listings show morning and lunch service, with operating information updated in 2026.

It makes a nice contrast to Matsumoto’s older traditional coffee shops.

Best for:
Modern café atmosphere, morning coffee, and a casual break while walking through central Matsumoto.

Address:
2-3-20 Chuo, Matsumoto, 2F

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7. Alps coffee lAb.｜Coffee Inside a Renovated Storehouse

Alps coffee lAb. stands beside the Metoba River in a renovated traditional storehouse.

The first floor functions as a coffee stand, while the second floor offers seating overlooking the greenery outside. The company describes its concept as reinterpreting Japanese coffee culture for the present day.

Its location works especially well with a walk through Nakamachi and Nawate Streets.

Best for:
Specialty coffee, architecture, and travelers interested in modern Japanese café culture.

Address:
2-4-9 Chuo, Matsumoto

Hours:
10:00–18:00
Irregular closing days.

Alps coffee lAb. official website

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8. High-Five COFFEE STAND｜Freshly Roasted Coffee Near Matsumoto Castle

High-Five COFFEE STAND is a Matsumoto-based coffee roaster serving hand-drip coffee, espresso, lattes, and freshly roasted beans. All menu items can also be ordered for takeaway.

There is a branch inside Matsumoto City Museum, making it especially convenient if you are visiting Matsumoto Castle.

Matsumoto City Museum branch:
3-2-21 Ote, Matsumoto

Hours:
9:00–21:00
Closed on the third Tuesday of the month. The shop notes that hours may change.

Best for:
Specialty coffee, takeaway, and Matsumoto Castle sightseeing.

High-Five COFFEE STAND official website

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9. Storyhouse Cafe & Bar｜An International Meeting Place

Storyhouse Cafe & Bar is located near Nawate Street and has a relaxed international atmosphere.

It was opened in 2017 by a husband from Seattle and his Japanese wife after they moved to Matsumoto. The café serves food and drinks during the day and also operates as a bar in the evening.

Matsumoto’s official tourism site also highlights its popularity with international travelers.

Best for:
International travelers, casual meals, and meeting people during your stay.

Address:
4-3-19-1 Ote, Matsumoto

Hours:
Lunch & Café: 11:00–17:00
Dinner: 18:00–22:00
Hours may vary seasonally.

Storyhouse Cafe & Bar official website

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10. Sioribi｜Books, Coffee and Matsumoto Culture

Sioribi is a book café that opened in Matsumoto in 2013.

The café combines coffee with independently selected books, exhibitions, and cultural events. It is about a ten-minute walk from Matsumoto Station according to its official website.

It is a good choice when you want a quieter break away from the busiest sightseeing spots.

Best for:
Books, design, culture, and slow travel.

Address:
3-7-8 Fukashi, Matsumoto

Hours:
7:00–20:00
Closed Wednesday.

Sioribi official website

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What Is a “Kissaten”?

A kissaten is a traditional Japanese coffee shop.

Compared with many modern cafés, kissaten often have a quieter atmosphere, classic interiors, carefully prepared coffee, toast, desserts, and simple meals.

Matsumoto is a particularly enjoyable city for experiencing both this older coffee culture and newer specialty coffee shops.

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Choose a Café by Area

Around Matsumoto Station, Coffee Bigaku Abe and Sioribi are convenient choices.

Around Nakamachi Street, Marumo Coffee, NAKAMACHI CAFÉ, Kauhiya 3-Banchi and Alps coffee lAb. are easy to combine with sightseeing.

Around Matsumoto Castle and Nawate Street, Kamenoya, High-Five COFFEE STAND at Matsumoto City Museum, and Storyhouse Cafe & Bar are useful stops.

Final Thoughts

Matsumoto is a city worth exploring slowly.

After visiting Matsumoto Castle, walk through Nawate Street and Nakamachi Street, then take a break at a café that catches your eye.

A cup of coffee in a traditional kissaten, a fluffy pancake in an old merchant district, or a specialty coffee beside the Metoba River can become part of the travel experience itself.

Take a little detour, slow down, and enjoy Matsumoto one cup at a time.

Opening hours, holidays and menus may change. Please check each café’s official website or social media before visiting.