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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Matsudo
松戸市
Spend a half‑day in Matsudo, explore the temples and market, then return to Tokyo; one day is enough.
Matsudo is a small city east of Tokyo with easy 15‑20 min JR Joban Line links, a few local temples and a specialty pickled eggplant. It fits a half‑day side‑trip from Tokyo or a quick stop on a Chiba‑area itinerary.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 松戸市
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, humidity)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | ¥300–500 |
| Yoichizuke pickled eggplant (small pack) | ¥200–400 |
| Temple entry (Hondoji) | ¥500 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ¥2,000–2,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- ≈65 min via Narita Sky Access + Shin‑Keisei, ¥1,070
- HND · Haneda Airport
- ≈75 min via monorail & Yamanote, ¥850
Typical fares
- Ueno → Matsudo (JR Joban rapid)
- about ¥290, 15–20 min
- Narita → Matsudo (Narita Sky Access + Shin‑Keisei)
- about ¥1,070, 65 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The city centre is walkable; taxis are common at Matsudo Station. Limited bus service; most visitors rely on train and foot.
See and do
Known for
- Hondoji Temple hydrangea garden
- Tozenji Temple cherry blossoms
- Yoichizuke pickled eggplants
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hondoji Temple | JR Joban Line to Kitakogane Station, 10‑min walk | ≈30 min total |
| Tozenji Temple | JR Joban Line to Kitakogane Station, 10‑min walk | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Matsudo Station area
- Convenient for train arrivals; budget hotels and capsule inns within 5‑10 min walk.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Rapid Joban trains run every 10 min; last train leaves around midnight.
- Temple entry fees are ¥500 for adults; children free.
Matsudo is generally safe; stay alert on trains at night and keep an eye on luggage in taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Matsudo yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Hondoji Temple hydrangea garden
- Tozenji Temple cherry blossoms
- Yoichizuke pickled eggplants
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Matsudo tourist association (English): www.matsudo-kankou.jp/en/
- Matsudo city official site: www.city.matsudo.chiba.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Matsudo, revision 5283489 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5283489
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/matsudo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.