event

2025-05-12 / Last updated : 2025-05-12 Sylvain Art

Rice Paddy ‘Tambo’ Art transforms a rice field into a living canvas

Rice paddy art – or ‘Tambo’ Art – is a unique Japanese art form that transforms a rice field into a living canvas. Instead of paint, artists use different varieties of rice that produce grains in varying colors: green, yellow, and purple. During the planting season, seedlings are placed in carefully arranged patterns. As the plants mature, the designs become more visible, shifting in color depending on the viewing time. Throughout the season, the ever changing artwork offers an unforgettable visual experience. Rice Paddy Art in Azumino In years past, you could view a stunning example of rice paddy art in Azumino, Nagano, just a 25-minute drive from Matsumoto. A […]
2024-10-10 / Last updated : 2024-10-10 Sylvain Events

Matsumoto “Shinshu Soba” Festival

Japanese soba noodles are made primarily from buckwheat flour with a small amount of wheat flour. Widely considered a healthy food, they are gluten-free, rich in flavonoids, and help maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Additionally, the long, slender shape of soba noodles is believed to symbolize stability and longevity. With its abundant natural resources and pure, crystal-clear water essential for soba cultivation, Nagano Prefecture is home to the Matsumoto “Shinshu Soba” Festival. Matsumoto and surrounding area are one of the largest and most well-known soba-producing regions in Japan. The Soba Festival at Matsumoto Castle The “Shinshu Soba” Festival in Nagano Prefecture is held annually in Matsumoto City every October. The […]
Asama Onsen Taimatsu Fire
2024-10-04 / Last updated : 2024-10-04 Sylvain Events

The Torches Festival – Taimatsu Matsuri

The Taimatsu Matsuri Torches Festival, also known as the “Asama Onsen Taimatsu Matsuri”, is a traditional fire festival with a rich history held annually in Matsumoto. This unique event features large torches, or “taimatsu,” and celebrates the local cultural heritage while also serving as a time of prayer for protection against natural disasters. History The Torches Festival has deep roots in ancient traditions. Historically, the burning of large torches was used as a ritual to cleanse the land and ward off evil spirits. It is said that the event was inspired by practices of mountain worship, which were common in the Japanese Alps. In Shinto beliefs, fire is considered a […]
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, […]
2024-01-10 / 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 […]
2023-06-09 / Last updated : 2023-06-09 Sylvain Samurai

Witness the Samurai Gunnery Displays of Matsumoto Castle

Known throughout the world as fierce warriors and master swordsmen, samurai are synonymous with both Japan and Matsumoto. What is less well-known is that many of them were also skilled in gunnery, following the introduction of western style firearms to Japan in 1543. Twice a year, Matsumoto Castle hosts gunnery displays performed by a dedicated local group, in full samurai regalia. It’s a thrilling event that makes use of the castle’s historic grounds in bringing its celebrated history back to life with resounding noise, color and drama. Introducing Matsumoto Gun Corps Formed in 1990, Matsumoto Gun Corps was brought together under the leadership of Nishibori Taichou, who remains the leader […]
2022-08-31 / Last updated : 2022-08-31 Kevin Kato Events

Matsumoto Castle Taiko Drum Festival: One of the Most Heart-Pounding Events of the Year

The rhythmic sounds of a hundred drums filled the warm, humid evening air recently as the people of this castle town were treated to one of the most heart-pounding events of the year: the annual Matsumoto Castle Taiko Drum Festival. The Perfect Setting for a Rousing Tradition Once again the inner garden of Matsumoto Castle was transformed into the most dramatic musical venue this side of Mt.Fuji. Normally accessible only via entrance fee, on July 30th and 31st the inner ‘honmaru’ was open to the public. As the sun fell toward the northern alps and the air cooled (slightly) the crowds gathered, spread out on blankets on the ground where […]
2022-01-27 / Last updated : 2022-02-01 Kevin Kato Events

New Twists on the 2022 Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival

The mountaintops to the west are buried in several meters of snow. At night the temps in town are dipping well below zero. Yes, winter has taken over our world again – but we’re not hibernating, we’re celebrating, with a few new twists to an annual event. Welcome to the 2022 Matsumoto Castle Ice Sculpture Festival! Breaking the Ice The fun began last Friday evening as dark descended on the town. In front of the train station and Nawate Street, at the Hana-Tokei (“Flower Clock”) Park and on the grounds of Matsumoto Castle, artists wielded chisels and chainsaws, turning rectangular blocks of ice into works of shapely, frozen splendor. These […]
2022-01-13 / Last updated : 2022-01-13 Kevin Kato Events

Lasers Light Up Matsumoto Castle in the City’s Latest Spectacle

In Matsumoto you’ll find an array of entertaining events going on throughout the year. From the Ice Sculpture Festival in winter to the summertime Bon-Bon Dance Festival, it seems there’s always something going on. Yet the good people here are always looking for new ways to spice things up, and this winter they’ve done it again. So dress warm and come out to watch as lasers light up Matsumoto Castle in the city’s latest spectacle. Firing Lasers at Japan’s Oldest Castle Tower I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about it. Maybe I’m old-fashioned (or boring), but spraying our town’s greatest treasure with a bunch of […]
2021-05-19 / Last updated : 2022-10-13 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 […]
2020-10-09 / Last updated : 2021-12-11 Sylvain History

Matsumoto Castle: The National Treasure through Modern Times (From 1871 to now)

The scheduled end of Matsumoto Castle (1871 and 1872) From September 1870, people were allowed to enter the castle freely for the first time since its construction. Then in 1871, Matsumoto Castle was placed under the jurisdiction of the newly formed national government who sold the castle at auction in 1872. The castle keeps were then scheduled for demolition. Matsumoto Castle rescued by local residents (From 1872 to 1901) Upon hearing of the planned demolition, a group of local residents led by Ichikawa Ryozo began collecting donations and raising funds in order to save the castle from destruction. They obtained permission to organize several events around the castle. Thanks to […]