2021-09-09 / Last updated : 2021-09-09 Sylvain Other

10 days with the French Paralympic Cycling Team

In Tokyo, the original organizers of the 1964 Olympics and the more recent Summer Olympic Games, are hosting the Paralympic Games from August 24th to September 5th, 2021. Matsumoto had the honor of welcoming the French Paralympic Cycling Team from August 15th to 25th as part of the preparations for these games. The athletes were able to utilize the exceptional setting of the city for their training. Welcome-Matsumoto was present with them during those 10 days as they prepared for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Join us as we explore the day-to-day lives of these top athletes as they prepared for the start of the games!  Day 1: Arrival of the athletes […]
2021-08-26 / Last updated : 2021-08-26 Kevin Kato Sightseeing

The Agetsuchi-machi Neighborhood: Historical Secrets and Old-Time Appeal

East of Matsumoto Castle, tucked away behind City Hall, you’ll find a stretch of the original outer moat. Just to the south of this remaining section of the ‘sotobori’ is Agetsuchi-machi, a quiet neighborhood with some interesting historical secrets and plenty of old-time appeal. The Origins of “Agetsuchi” The eastern side of Matsumoto Castle’s outer ‘sotobori’ moat used to run right through Agetsuchi-machi neighborhood. Along this eastern stretch was the largest of four “umadashi”, places like small islands designed as pathways for horses used in the protection of the castle. When the moat for this eastern umadashi was dug, the dirt was piled up to prevent people from seeing the […]
2021-07-06 / Last updated : 2021-08-10 Kevin Kato Sightseeing

Matsumoto: The Oldest, Biggest, Highest, First, and Best of Japan

Matsumoto is known to many as the home of Japan’s oldest castle keep. This is something the folks here are certainly proud of, but it is actually just one of our town’s many claims to national supremacy. Matsumoto, and in turn Nagano Prefecture, is the biggest, highest and best in Japan in more ways than you can shake a soba noodle at. Let’s explore! The Biggest Swing Right down the street from the castle you’ll find another of Matsumoto’s title-holders. From the Sensaibashi Bridge you can see it: the largest pendulum clock in Japan, dominating the facade of the Matsumoto Timepiece Museum. (Unverified reports have stated it is – or […]
2021-06-17 / Last updated : 2021-07-14 Kevin Kato Culture

Dōsojin: The Adorable Old Guardians of Shinshu

You’ll see Dōsojin all over as you explore Shinshu: elderly couples, standing arm-in-arm, smiling gently at everyone who passes. They can be found on roads, near bridges, even out in the woods. Say hello if you like, though you won’t get an answer. Because these kindly old folks, who have been watching over Matsumoto for a thousand years, are made of stone. Known as Dōsojin, they are the adorable old guardians of Shinshu. Where to Find Them Dōsojin (道祖神) are a centuries-old tradition particular to the Shinshu (i.e. Nagano) region where Matsumoto is located. Considered a sort of deity, or kami, they are often placed around the outskirts of a […]
2021-05-26 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Kevin Kato Culture

Fukashi Jinja: Shrine of the Old Castle Town

Long ago the City of Matsumoto was known as the castle town of Fukashi. Much of this old castle town stretched northwest and south from the moats and walls of the castle. Near the southern end of town stood Fukashi Jinja. Established in 1339 by the region’s first ruler, this shrine still stands proud today, and is an integral part of your tour of the history of Matsumoto. Origins The 1333 Seige of Kamakura saw Emperor Go-Daigo wrest control of Japan from the shoguns of the Minamoto clan. To show his gratitude, Sadamune Ogasawara, local warlord and first ruler of Shinano, built Miyamura Daimyojin and enshrined the Shinto deity of […]
2021-05-19 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Sylvain Outdoor Activities

Yamato Ranch: Mingle with local Japanese residents in a unique setting

The “Mountain Horse Project” is organized by the residents of the Okada neighborhood in Matsumoto. This project aims to educate and inspire the community about nature and the environment through various activities. Local residents and visitors alike are welcome to share in all the events. Meet local residents and experience real country life in Japan at Yamato Ranch! Yamato, a former champion Originally from Hokkaido Prefecture, Yamato was a successful race horse who participated in many races, winning many medals and awards throughout his illustrious career. Yamato just celebrated his 16th birthday this year (which is middle aged in horse years). For many years Yamato has been accompanied by his […]
2021-04-28 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Sylvain Video

Matsumoto Sakura Video 2021 ***New Video***

We are pleased to present our new “Matsumoto Sakura Video 2021” available right now on our YouTube channel. Discover Matsumoto City and its cherry blossoms from a local’s perspective! Watch our new video… The Sakura season in Japan is already coming to an end. So now is the perfect time to view our selection of the best images from 2021. Experience the cherry blossoms blooming throughout Matsumoto from the comfort of your own home! Matsumoto Sakura Video 2021 All the images on our new video were shot at different locations throughout the city. You may recognize Matsumoto Castle or Alps Park. However some other places known only to locals are […]
2021-04-19 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Sylvain Video

Matsumoto Video Backstage Passport of our live stream from the city

On Saturday the 13th of February 2021, in cooperation with local tourism organizations, Welcome-Matsumoto introduced you live from Matsumoto City some of the city’s most interesting sites, including the famous historic castle. Let’s get back behind the scenes with this Matsumoto Video Backstage Passport. Watch the video How did the project come about? In these times of worldwide health crise, it has become impossible to travel to Japan and enjoy the authentic charm of this ancient country. It was on this simple (and unfortunately quite sad) observation that the project was born. Initiated by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the Nagano Prefecture, and more precisely the Nagano Prefecture Tourism […]
2021-04-12 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Sylvain Events

Night walk through the Sakura at Matsumoto Castle

With the onset of spring comes the much-anticipated cherry blossom season. The Japanese know how to celebrate this event as it should! Matsumoto City is adorned with the most beautiful pink and white pigments. But do you know what happens after dark? Matsumoto and its historic castle are lit up for an even more impressive sight! Join us for a night walk through the Sakura at Matsumoto Castle. The interior garden of the castle The grounds inside the castle are normally closed after 4:30 pm. But during the Night Time Cherry Blossoms Festival, access is permitted to the interior garden of Matsumoto Castle for a limited time. It is from […]
2021-04-08 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Kevin Kato Seasonal Topics

Find the Most Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Matsumoto

Spring has once again come to Matsumoto! The air is warmer, the evenings are longer, and the trees are exploding in white and pink. Everywhere you turn you’ll see these famous flowers called ‘sakura’. But if you want to find the most beautiful cherry blossoms in Matsumoto, it’s good to know where to look. Lucky for you, we know exactly where to go! Matsumoto Castle – of course! Yes, this is a given! Matsumoto Castle is a beautiful sight on its own. Surrounded by sakura, Japan’s oldest extant castle keep takes on an aura of fairytale proportions. And yet there’s more than just the main castle itself. Take a walk […]
2021-04-07 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Kevin Kato History

Halls of History in Matsumoto: The Old Higher School Museum

During the Meiji Restoration, Japan established a network of special secondary schools to nurture the country’s best and brightest young minds. There were only forty-one of these ‘Higher Schools’ in Japan. Matsumoto was home to one of them. Most of these schools no longer exist, but you can still walk these halls of history right here in Matsumoto, at the Old Higher School Museum in Agata-no-Mori Park. Life of the Higher Schools When Japan opened its ports to the world in 1868, a deluge of western ideas came pouring in. To more deeply understand the ways of the west, Japan established a network of Imperial universities where students took science, […]
2021-03-25 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Sylvain News

The « Tamayura » Collection : Poetry by Shizuka Miyatsu – Available now!

We are pleased to announce the release of the Tamayura collection of poems – “I listen to myself attentively in silence” – available today! Take an opportunity to discover a local poet in bilingual French and Japanese. Shizuka Miyatsu – 宮津静 – invites you to share his unique vision of the world around him through his poetry. Meet the poet of Matsumoto! Shizuka & Miyatsu “I am giving you a part of Me, so that you no longer feel alone. In the world, one is with the other.” Ephemeral Western poets say that life is transitory and beautiful. One example of this is the Japanese tea ceremony, Simple beauty, without […]