antiques

2022-05-01 / Last updated : 2024-01-10 Kevin Kato Other

Make Time for the Minute Details of the Matsumoto Timepiece Museum

I’d read somewhere that the huge pendulum clock on the Matsumoto Timepiece Museum was one of the largest of its kind in the world. Its pendulum was supposedly even longer than the one on London’s Big Ben. The museum’s own website claims it is the largest pendulum clock in Japan. But, failing to find an independent source to corroborate the claim, I decided to make time to go down and inquire directly. Thanks to museum manager Nishizawa-san, who pointed out various minute details of the exhibits during his gracious, impromptu personal tour, I now have answers to questions I didn’t even know I had – plus the one I had […]
2020-12-21 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Sylvain Seasonal Topics

Christmas market: Matsumoto and its antiques market in Christmas colors!

Discover the unique Japanese Christmas market, Matsumoto style! Most know Christmas as a Western holiday with religious roots. Although Christmas was not traditionally observed in Japan in the past, today it is commonly celebrated across Japan, like it is worldwide. Every December, Matsumoto too is transformed into a Santa Claus workshop, dazzling everyone with its charming vision of the Christmas spirit! Christmas in Japan Christmas was first introduced to modern Japan from Western countries, many who still regard the holiday as an important religious tradition. Although not a religious holiday in Japan per se (only 2% of the Japanese population identifies as Christian), aspects of Christmas are celebrated by most […]