Iconic, Unmistakable Symbol of Nakamachi Street
Matsumoto’s Nakamachi-dori Street is lined up and down with buildings from a bygone era. Some wear facades of time-worn wood and large storefront windows. Many others stand decorated with a distinctive black and white criss-cross pattern. These buildings are known as kura and are a symbol of Matsumoto. But standing above all of these, at the mid-point of the street, is the iconic and unmistakable Kurassic-kan.
The largest of the traditional structures of Nakamachi-dori, the Kurassic-kan is a testament to the artistic architecture of Japan’s recent past. The most curious aspect of the building, however, may be the brown ball of cedar branches hanging over the front door.
A Former Sake Brewery
Called a sugidama, it is a traditional symbol of sake brewers, The Kurassic-kan, built in 1888, once was part of a considerable sake brewing operation. Today it serves as a venue for various events, craft exhibitions, and classes in traditional Japanese arts ranging from flower arrangement to tea ceremony to samurai sword etiquette and technique. Stop by when you are strolling down Nakamachi-dori; you never know what you might stumble upon.
Even when it’s quiet the Kurassic-kan is worth a long, slow look. The lofty atrium above the rear half of the first floor is a veritable showcase of Japanese structural woodworking. To one side can be seen the four stages of constructing the walls of such a building over a century ago. The first and second floors are an exquisite mix of hardwood and tatami straw mat floors, free and open to the public.
The Kurassic-kan actually consists of two buildings. The smaller kura to the left of the main building – decorated with that familiar black and white pattern – was once used as a storehouse and is now an intimate and attractive teahouse and cafe. Behind this is a small garden in the typical traditional Japanese style.
Nakamachi Street is a treasure trove of history and traditional architecture, and is worthy of some leisurely exploration. And standing in the middle of it all is the iconic and unmistakable Kurassic-kan. You can’t miss it!
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