Hidden Dream Stationery Café + Matsumoto Castle Tour & Autumn Leaves | Nagano Prefecture Japan Vlog
Hey journalers, today I’m taking you to a hidden gem in Aano Perfecture Matsumoto City. And if you love stationery, cozy cafes, and a bit of a travel inspo, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. This vlog has four chapters, so feel free to use the timestamps and jump around. But honestly, each part has its own little surprise. First, our main chapter, a secret stationary cafe I stumbled upon. From the outside, it looks pretty normal, but inside it’s packed with some of the cutest and most popular stationery, plus a really calm, peaceful atmosphere. I’ll show you what I found and why this place feels so special. Then, we’re heading to Matsumoto Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. I’ll walk you through the views, share a few small details that most people miss, and give you some travel tips that I wish I knew before going. After that, a short and sweet stop for Mom Lake Autumn Leaves Festival 2025. It’s a quick chapter, but the colors were so stunning, I had to include it. And finally, I’ll share extra travel tips where to find more stationery, souvenirs, and a few cute spots around Matsumoto that might not be on your usual tourist list. All right, grab a drink, check the timestamps if you’d like, and let’s head to Matsumoto together. Let’s go. Asama onen is this beautiful place where Japanese style hotels are located. It’s basically a hot spring heaven. A lot of foreign visitors come here to stay and experience authentic Japanese onsen culture. It’s about 25 to 30 minutes by bus from Matsumoto station or about 20 minutes by car if you’re driving. So, I found this hidden stationary cafe while exploring around Matsumoto here at Asamama Onen. It’s called Tegamisha Fubako, and it’s the coziest stationary cafe I’ve ever been to. The cool part, it’s actually a sister location of famous Tegamisha stationary brand from Tokyo. I’m super excited to give you a really detailed tour of this adorable little stationary cafe. Now, it might look small at first glance, but trust me, it’s packed with the cutest and most up-to-date stationaries. They’ve got pieces from local Matsumoto artist and some well-known Japanese stationary creators. I actually came right when they open at around 10:00 a.m. So, it’s still pretty quiet and they’re just getting things ready. So, you can sit down, get comfy, and soak in that peaceful atmosphere while you browse through all the goodies. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the tour and I’ll show you everything they’ve got. All right, so let’s start with the calendar section. Here you’ll see all the available 2026 calendars from different Japanese creators. They have a really wide selection, and honestly, there’s a lot to choose from. I kind of want to buy another one even though I’ve already got mine. Hey, hey, hey. And now let’s move on to something really special, the postcards. They’ve got a beautiful selection here that showcases the local scenery of Nago Prefecture, which is basically a paradise for hikers. So, a lot of these postcards are mountain themed and really capture the outdoor spirit. If you love hiking or you’re looking for a souvenir that really reflects the nature and charm of Nagano, these postcards are perfect. It’s definitely a hiker’s haven here and these little cards are lovely way to remember it. Let’s heat. Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. So, just a heads up as we go through the video, you’ll see all sorts of goodies. Memo pads, washi tape, sticky note rolls, and more. It’s not really separated by one type of item per section. Instead, each corner has a fun assortment of different things. So, you’ll find a bit of everything mixed in. And it’s all kind of delightfully assorted depending on which artist corner we’re exploring. That means you’ll get a nice variety sprinkled throughout the whole tour. Let’s heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. So, there’s a big wall of postcards from all the artists featured in the store. I spotted quite a few familiar styles. Some of them I recognized from the Tokyo events we’ve been to, like work from artist we all love. Yumi Tagishi’s pieces and others that are just super recognizable. It’s really fun to see all those familiar designs here and it’s definitely brings back memories of those events. I noticed that everything here in this little corner is actually from a brand called Kini Roto. I first came across them at the paper expo last September and it’s really fun to see them again. And as we keep exploring, we’ve spotted a few more stamps and another set of postcards here and there. Hey. Hey. Yeah. And as we keep exploring, we’ve spotted a few more stamps and another set of postcards here and there. This particular artist, Kiko Shibata, the creator of the Megano series, is actually quite popular here in Japan. So, it’s really cool to find some of her designs here. And guess what? I also found Yumiki Tagishi stickers here along with some of her washi tapes. It’s like a little treasure hunt finding these familiar artist works mixed in. Hey, hey, hey. Moment Down. Okay, this just made me so happy. I told you guys at the paper expo how much I adore Hiroitomi’s mountain themed art since I’m a hiker and seeing her work here again is just amazing. And here you can see different creator sticky note rolls. There’s actually a lot of more coming, so stay tuned because we’ll check out even more of those a bit later. Plus, we’ve got some really familiar stickers here that I remember seeing at the paper expo as well. So, if you want to meet a ton of amazing artists, you definitely have to check out that event. And if you’re curious, I’ll pop the link to my paper expo video up in the corner of the screen so you can watch it. So, one of the great things about this shop is that it’s not just stationery. You can also find books here. I actually picked up my glass pen book right in this shop. And there’s just a lot of interesting things to see beyond the usual. So, definitely take your time to explore. Let’s be Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Okay. So, let me share a little backstory with you all. About a year ago, I actually came back to Japan after some time away, mostly to hike and visit my family. And that’s when I discovered this shop for the very first time. I ended up buying my first glass pan right here along with that glass pan book I mentioned earlier. So, it’s kind of a little nostalgic moment for me just remembering that first visit and how special it was to find this place. Okay. And over here, they even have this special Matsumoto Miyaga. For 1,000 yen, you can get a random little ooco cup. An oo cup is a small traditional Japanese sake cup used for drinking sake with a Matsumoto themed design like the local scenery and icons you see on the sign. I think it’s such a fun way to get a surprise souvenir. And now there’s this little corner that’s just full of sticky note rolls made by different creators all compiled together. It makes me so happy to see this much variety And yep, I even spotted Hiro Kashtoi’s designs again in there. I actually already have that one. I’ve been spending a lot on stationary lately, so I’m trying to hold myself back this time because to be honest, I kind of want them all. But I really do have everything I need right now. Hey, black. Hey hey hey. Hey, So, this is actually one of my favorite brands, Oetta Letter Press. I first discovered them at the Bungu Hakuranga event in Tokyo, and I absolutely love their style. It’s so elegant, and it’s got that beautiful vintage vibe. So, it actually feels a bit like mini art exhibition in this little part of the store. They have a collaboration display between Kinro Hito and Melo Glass. Let’s take a look. And next up, We’re looking at more stamps from Kinroto. They’ve got a whole bunch here, probably because of the little art exhibition going on. So, there’s a lot of their products on display. All right, now let’s go ahead and proceed to a bit of shopping. I just pick up a few little souvenirs to remember this fall visit. Since I come back here from time to time and it’s only about 3 hours from Tokyo, I don’t need to go overboard with shopping. Okay, so after filming everything, I was seriously starving. I got myself to a pumpkin cake with orange and a chai drink that I absolutely love. It was the perfect little break after all the exploring. So, after that little treat, I got my energy back and we’re heading up to the second floor. Up here you can find a whole bunch of different items. Think clothes, teacups, handmade goods, bags, shoes, even some glasses, and other little bits and pieces. It’s kind of like a mini department store vibe up here, which is pretty fun to explore. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. So, for our second chapter, we’re heading over to Matsumoto Castle. Here’s a quick look at the map. First stop, the castle itself, and then we’ll wander through Nakamachi Street and Naware Street. There’s a ton of interesting stuff to see, so let’s dive right in. So, everything you’re about to see is basically a walkthrough adventure. I actually filmed all of this while we’re exploring on foot. No cars needed at all. So, from Matsumoto station to Matsumoto Castle, it’s roughly a 15-minute walk. Now, once we get to the castle, you’ll see the entrance gate. And here’s something really nice. There are volunteer Englishspeaking guides who offer free tours. Yeah, totally free. No tips needed. They’re just there to help you enjoy the scenery, history, and hospitality. From here, you can see Matsumoto Castle in the distance. Then we’ll head closer and look around. But before that, let me quickly explain how to enter if you want to go inside the castle. You can actually enter and see the interior, but once you go through the gate, you’ll see signs that say no pets, no bicycles, and no alcohol inside. There are also very steep stairs, and filming is not allowed inside the castle. Here are the ticket prices on the screen, so you can check before you visit. So, if you head a little further along, you’ll find the ticket office right here. And you’ll probably notice there’s a guy in a red jacket in front of me. He’s actually one of the free tour guides I mentioned earlier. Just a heads up, there’s no filming allowed inside the castle, so I’ll leave that part for you to experience yourself when you come to Japan. While we’re walking and exploring, let me share a quick and friendly overview of Matsumoto Castle’s history. This black castle is over 500 years old. At first, it wasn’t even called Matsumoto Castle. It was called Fukushi Castle and it started as a small fort in the early 1500s. Back then, Japan was in its samurai war era. So, this place was built for battle, not for photos. Different warlords fought over it and the castle kept changing owners. Kind of like a very intense past the castle game through history. Later on, it got a big makeover and became the black castle we see today. They added the tall main tower, moes and walls and designed it so soldiers could watch and protect the town. In modern times, the castle actually started to lean and was almost torn down. But the local people work so hard to save it. So, the fact that we can still see it today is thanks to them. Now, Matsumoto Castle is one of the few original castles left in Japan. It’s a national treasure and people call it Karasu Jojo or Crow Castle because of its black exterior. If you’re enjoying this so far and you haven’t subscribed yet, feel free to hit that subscribe button for more adventures like this. Thanks a lot. So, let’s go ahead and explore these lovely streets and enjoy the autumn leaves around us. Now, we’re heading over to a shrine called Yohashira Shrine. And here’s a little cultural note for you. The bowing and clapping we do here is unique to shrines. So at Shinto shrine like this, you’ll put in your coin, bow twice, clap twice, say your prayer, and then bow once more. In temples, it’s a bit different. Temples usually have a Buddhist statue and you won’t do the clapping ritual there. This is a little Shinto shrine etiquette. That’s fun to know. Yohashura Shrine is a wish granting shrine. It’s dedicated to four gods with such powerful divine virtues. Locals believe this shrine can grant all kinds of wishes. It’s famous throughout Nagano Prefecture as one of the leading power spots. Let’s go ahead and grab our omikoji. If you’re not familiar, omiuji are these little fortune sleeps you can get at shrine. Basically, you put in about 100 or 200 yen coin, depends on the shrine. Pick one out of the box and you get a little fortune. So, I got this green cat and it says chuki, which is like medium luck. It’s not super lucky or super unlucky, just kind of in the middle. Things should go okay as long as I do my best. Okay, so these aren’t just decorations. Basically, people can write their wishes or prayers on these boxes and then the shrine priests actually pray for you. It’s like you’re making a request to the kami or god and the shrine does the spiritual work for you. Let’s keep wandering along Nawata Street. As you can see, there are frog statue here. Fun fact, it’s because Metoba River is known for its frogs. So, that’s a bit of local charm. Now, we’re going to explore this small alley here. Some stores might be closed around lunchtime, but when they’re open, you’ll find all sorts of cute souvenirs. In here, you’ll see frog themed stickers, power stones, or crystals. Hey, hey, hey. Wabishabi has a ton of unique Japanese gifts and crafts. If you’re looking for something special from your trip, you have to check this place out. So many awesome finds in one spot. Hey, hey, hey. And let me share a bit of a personal note here. Matsumoto City is honestly a dream place for me. It’s full of museums, cozy coffee shops, and it has these gorgeous mountain views. The hot springs are amazing. The food is fresh and delicious, and the air is so refreshing. It’s like a little slice of heaven if you love that blend of culture and nature. I love Tokyo for the city vibe, but Matsumoto city is just a whole different charm. And just to give you an idea, there’s this Matsumoto City Museum of Art right here. They have exhibitions and everything from Ukio to works by the famous artist Yayoi Kusama. I even spotted a poster for a San Rio exhibition coming up early next year, and I’m definitely hoping I can check it out and let you all know if I can film inside. For the third chapter, we actually drove about 30 to 40 minutes out from Matsumoto City and included this little segment here. There’s a lovely autumn leaf viewing festival in Minoa town called the Mumi Lake Autumn Leaves Festival 2025. It’s actually known as one of the best spots in Japan to see autumn leaves with thousands of maple trees turning brilliant shades of red and orange every year. If you want to experience Japan’s autumn magic, this is the place to be. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey. Okay, so now that we’ve wrapped up that little side trip, we’re heading back to Matsumoto. I’m going to give you a quick tour and share a few travel tips on what else you can do around here besides just visiting Matsumoto Castle. There’s definitely more to explore. So, let’s dive back in. I I want to show you that there’s an Eon Mall in Matsumoto and it’s also within walking distance from the castle. And the cool thing is inside this Eon Mall, you’ll find both a loft in a Syria. So, if you’re in the mood for more stationary shopping, you’ve got options right here. And just across from the Syria and loft, there’s this adorable cat cafe called Cat Cafe Mocha, where you can sip your coffee and hang out with some friendly cats. It’s all inside the Ion Mall, so it’s a really fun stop if you love cats. And there’s more. Inside the same mall, there’s a place called Hobby Zone where you can find toys, anime goods, and fun souvenirs. So, as a tourist, you’ve already got everything here. It’s a great mix of nature, shopping, and relaxation all in one spot. Let’s go. behind. Hey Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, All right, now that we’re done touring on Mall, I also want to show you this big bookstore called Maruzen. It’s actually within walking distance from Matsumoto Castle as well, so everything’s really conveniently close by. You can find all sorts of stationary books and postcards there. I’ll give you a quick little tour so you can see what they have. honey. Hey Yeah, hey n hey. Hello. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Yeah, hey, hey. down. Hey Hey, hey, hey. Wow. Heat. Heat. Heat. Finally, if you’re looking for souvenirs, there’s the Alpico Plaza nearby, also walkable, of course. They have a basement area where you can buy local Matsumoto specialties, snacks, and even get tax-free shopping if you show your passport. So, it’s a nice relaxing alternative to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Heat. Heat. Okay, journalers. So, we’re heading back to Tokyo, which means our little adventure is wrapping up. Thank you so so much for watching. I really hope this gave you a helpful pick into what you can do when you visit this beautiful part of Nago Prefecture. And hey, if you haven’t subscribed yet and you enjoy these kinds of travel and stationary adventures, definitely hit that subscribe button. I also cover the latest stationary events in Tokyo. So, if that’s your thing, you’re in the right place. Thanks again for hanging out with me and I can’t wait to see you in the next vlog. Have a wonderful day. Bye-bye.
Hey journalers! 🥹🫶
In today’s vlog, I’m taking you with me to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture for a cozy mix of stationery, castles, and autumn leaves.
💌 Chapter 1 is all about a hidden stationery café in Matsumoto — it’s both a coffee shop and a stationery shop, packed with popular and up-to-date Japanese stationery from artists I’ve seen at events in Tokyo. Honestly… this place is my dream. ☕️📚
🏯 Chapter 2 is a simple walking tour around Matsumoto Castle, with a few easy travel tips if you’re planning to visit (tickets, stairs, no-filming spots, etc.).
🍁 Chapter 3 is a short but beautiful look at the Momiji Lake autumn leaves festival 2025 — just a tiny segment, but the scenery is so pretty.
🚶♀️ Chapter 4 is more little travel tips and ideas on what to do in Matsumoto, like where to find more stationery, souvenirs, and cute spots to explore.
It’s a longer, cozy vlog, so feel free to skip to the parts you’re most interested in using the chapters below. I hope this helps you if you’re planning a trip, or just want to enjoy a calm Japan vlog from home. 💕
If you enjoy Japanese stationery and slow travel vlogs, I’d be really happy if you could like, comment, and subscribe so we can keep exploring together. 🫶
⏰ Chapters/timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:17 Chapter 1: Hidden Stationery Café tour
34:08 Chapter 2: Matsumoto Castle
Tour and brief fun history
46:46 Chapter 3: Momiji Lake Autumn Leaves
Festival 2025 Red leaves viewing
49:09 Chapter 4: More travel tips
Where to get more stationery, souvenirs and cute spots
📍 Places mentioned:
Tegamisha Fubako Café
1 Chome-30-6 Asamaonsen, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0303
Matsumoto Castle
4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873
Momiji Lake
Higashiminowa, Minowa-machi, Kamiina-gun, Nagano Prefecture 399-4602, Japan.
AEON MALL:
4 Chome-9-51 Central, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8560
MARUZEN Bookstore:
Konguro M Building B1–2F, 1-3-11 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815, Japan.
ALPICO PLAZA: Matsumoto’s main bus hub to
Tokyo, Nagoya & Osaka.
1 Chome-2-30 Fukashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0815
✨ Let’s be friends
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