culture

2026-05-11 / Last updated : 2026-05-11 Elodie Suzawa Other

Regional Mascots in Nagano Prefecture

In Japan, almost every city, prefecture, or village today has its own local mascot called yuru-kyara, a contraction of “yurui mascot character.” These characters are designed to represent local areas, tourist spots, products or events, while arousing the affection of locals and visitors. These regional mascots in nagano are often designed with visual elements directly inspired by heritage, culinary specialties or local nature. And their main purpose is to promote tourism and local culture. Yuru-chara often appear as costumed figures at public events, tourist advertising. Or even as decorations in train stations and souvenir shops. The phenomenon is so popular that there was a major annual competition, the Yuru-kyara Grand […]
2026-04-07 / Last updated : 2026-04-14 Sylvain Nature

Mount Hikarijo and Nagamine in Azumino

Tucked in the scenic Azumino valley of Nagano Prefecture, Mount Hikarijo and Nagamine rises gently above farmland and rivers, offering a window into the region’s rural charm.  This local peak draws hikers for its views of the Northern Alps and the apple orchards spread across the valley floor. At 933m, the mountain offers accessible trails and seasonal interest, from spring cherry blossoms to winter snow cover, without the crowds of more famous destinations. Reaching the Summit with Ease Getting to Mt. Nagamine is straightforward by car or train. There is free parking at the trailhead near JR Akashina Station. Or you can drive the winding road to the summit during […]
2025-12-23 / Last updated : 2025-12-23 Elodie Suzawa Culture

Matsumoto’s New Year Fire Festival: San-ku-ro

Each winter in Matsumoto, after the New Year holidays quiet down, fires appear in fields, riverbanks, and parks. This is San-ku-ro (三九郎), a local New Year fire festival that marks the end of the season. It is part of the same family of rituals that other regions call dondoyaki: a bonfire where decorations and charms from the New Year are returned to the flames. Discover everything about Matsumoto’s New Year Fire Festival. Meaning and rituals San-ku-ro is usually held in early to mid-January. Communities bring their New Year decorations such as kadomatsu (pine arrangements), and shimenawa (sacred ropes). But also other seasonal items including old charms or daruma dolls. These […]
2025-12-22 / Last updated : 2025-12-23 Elodie Suzawa Culture

New Year in Matsumoto: Traditions and Festivities in Japan

New Year in Matsumoto – Japan, known as ‘Shōgatsu’, is one of the most important times of the year, marked by traditions that run deep in everyday life. In Matsumoto, a city in the heart of the Japanese Alps, the season unfolds quietly between family rituals, shrine visits, and local customs. The atmosphere stretches from the end of December into the first weeks of January, as decorations go up, bells ring, and daily routines slow down. New Year Foods in Matsumoto Preparations begin several days before December 31. Households do a major year-end cleaning, ōsōji, clearing out dust and clutter as a kind of practical and spiritual reset. On New […]
2025-12-10 / Last updated : 2025-12-10 Sylvain Art

The Craft of Magemono in Kiso’s Mountain Towns

Walk through Narai-juku on a quiet morning and you’ll spot them in shop windows: wooden bento boxes with elegant curved sides, their grain visible through a honey-colored lacquer finish. These are magemono, bentwood containers made using techniques that have served the Kiso region for over four centuries. Discover the craft of magemono in the Kiso valley. Forest Protection and Economic Adaptation The craft connects to a particular moment in Japanese history. In the early 1600s, after the Tokugawa Shogunate consolidated power, castle construction and urban development stripped Kiso’s mountains of timber. The Owari domain, a branch of the Tokugawa family which controlled the valley, watched forests disappear at an alarming […]
2025-08-27 / Last updated : 2025-08-27 Tom Taylor History

Life Outside the Castle Walls: A Glimpse into Feudal Japan

When we think of feudal Japan, it’s often the image of samurai, castles, and great battles that comes to mind. But beyond the armored warriors and shifting power struggles, daily life for most people unfolded quietly in the fields, towns, and alleyways far from the shogun’s court. Farmers, artisans, and merchants made up the foundation of society, living lives shaped more by the seasons than by swords. Discover how was the life outside the castle walls. Farmers For farmers, life centered around the rice fields. Though considered part of the respected working class, they carried the burden of feeding the country and paying heavy taxes in rice. Their days began […]
2025-06-10 / Last updated : 2025-06-10 Léa Van Cuyck Other

Tattoo-Friendly Onsen and Sento in Matsumoto and Surrounding Region

For travelers with tattoos, finding a bathhouse (sento) or hot spring (onsen) in Japan that welcomes tattooed guests can sometimes be a challenge. While sento tend to be a bit more lenient, many still prohibit tattoos, and onsen often have strict policies against them. To help you enjoy a relaxing soak without any worries, we’ve compiled a short list of tattoo-friendly Onsen and Sento locations in Matsumoto and the surrounding Japanese Alps. Tattoo-Friendly Onsen & Sento in Matsumoto  HOT SPRINGS Biwa-no-yu (Asama-Onsen) Perhaps the most notable of Asama Onsen’s many hot springs is Biwa-no-Yu, founded in the latter part of the 17th Century. Public baths do not allow tattoos, but you can book […]
2025-06-09 / Last updated : 2025-06-09 Sylvain Sightseeing

Why Go To Matsumoto?

Japan is one of the most harmonious countries in the world, blending modernity with deep-rooted tradition. Japan’s large metropolises such as Tokyo and Osaka, traditional cities like Kyoto and the sumptuous landscapes offered by Mount Fuji and the idyllic countryside make Japan one of the most important tourist destinations in Asia. But why go to Matsumoto? History & Samurai The city’s Feudal Castle is one of only 5 castles in Japan designated as national treasures. It is therefore one of the finest examples of Japan’s cultural heritage and welcomes visitors all year round. Nearby historical Nawate ‘Frog’ Street and Nakamachi Shopping Street are also open to visitors and locals alike for shopping and casual dining. […]
2024-07-19 / Last updated : 2024-07-19 Kevin Kato Events

Bon Bon Girls & Aoyama-Sama Boys: A Centuries-Old Matsumoto Tradition

All across Japan summer festivals abound. Matsumoto is no exception as thousands of people take to the streets of downtown in early August for the loud and lively Matsumoto Bon-Bon. This festival got its start almost fifty years ago – and is no match for the original Bon Bon, a unique Matsumoto tradition born centuries ago. Coupled with the Aoyama-sama, a ceremonial procession of young boys carrying a miniature shrine through the streets of their neighborhood, the Bon Bon, an elegant and understated festival for young girls, offers a glimpse into a centuries-old Matsumoto tradition. History During the Edo Era, when the Shogun still ruled the country with military might, […]
2024-01-25 / Last updated : 2025-09-18 Sylvain Art

Drift Into the Seductive World of “Ukiyo-e” While in Matsumoto

Among Japan’s many celebrated artforms, “ukiyo-e” stands out as one of the most recognizable yet not necessarily well understood by international visitors. Matsumoto and more broadly the Nagano region are ideal locales in which to explore the rich and seductive world of ukiyo-e. Located in Matsumoto City, the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum houses one of the largest and most important collections of ukiyo-e in the country, with many of its artworks currently on display at a special exhibition hosted by Matsumoto City Museum. These exhibitions – along with the popular Hokusai Museum in Obuse – include many works by Japan’s most celebrated artist, Hokusai Katsushika. A prolific artist who spent his […]
2024-01-10 / Last updated : 2024-01-10 Sylvain Events

The Ameichi Festival: Matsumoto’s Edo Period Celebration That Continues Today

At the beginning of each year, the “Ameichi” Festival takes place in and around Matsumoto. “Ame” is the Japanese word for candy and the “Ameichi” Festival is a market devoted to it. The Ameichi Festival has a long history, one that can be traced back to and connected with the legend of Uesugi Kenshin who ruled Niigata Prefecture during the Warring States Period (1467-1615). The Origins of the Ameichi Festival Ameichi was one of Matsumoto’s largest festivals during the Edo Period (1603-1868) – along with the Tenjin Festival at Fukashi Shrine – and there are records attesting that candy and salt were sold at the New Year market since at […]
2023-07-20 / Last updated : 2023-07-21 Sylvain Samurai

Takahashi Family Residence: An Important Part of the Matsumoto Story

Matsumoto is a city proud of its samurai heritage, a past that can be explored at multiple historic sites. Matsumoto Castle is of course the most famous and prominent of those – a registered National Treasure and pride of the city. Popular shopping streets including Nawate Dori and the Nakamachi also align with the original moat and defensive systems of the castle complex, while to the north of the castle, the Takahashi Family Residence is one of Matsumoto’s last remaining samurai residences. A Short Distance from Matsumoto Castle Located 10 minutes walk from Matsumoto Castle, the Takahashi Family Residence is situated nearby the Former Kaichi School – Matsumoto’s second National […]