Matsumoto is a city on the island of Honshu in the Nagano Prefecture and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Japan Alps. The city developed around the Matsumoto Castle that still stands today. The castle garden has over 300 cherry trees and is known as one of the best spots in Japan to view blossoming cherry trees. Roughly three kilometres outside Matsumoto is the Japan Ukiyoe Museum, which houses one of the world’s biggest private art collections of over 100 000 pieces. Those who love wasabi should head to the Daio Wasabi Farm to wander the trails between fields and sample interesting wasabi products such as wasabi chocolate, wasabi ice cream, wasabi flavoured crackers and more.