local life

2023-03-17 / Last updated : 2023-03-17 Kevin Kato Outdoor Activities

Renting a Bicycle: A Great Way to See & Share More of Matsumoto

Downtown Matsumoto is a great place to get your Instagram on. From the grandeur of the castle backed by Mt. Jonen to the funky details of Frog Street there’s no end to the pics you can post. But if you’re looking for a great way to see and share more of Matsumoto, we highly recommend renting a bicycle and heading out of town. With e-Bikes available and a million roads to roll down, taking in the mountains and the countryside is a cinch. To make it even easier to find that perfect shot, let’s take a quick tour. Heading East Pedal this way and you’ll find yourself slowly rising toward […]
2023-03-07 / Last updated : 2023-03-07 Sylvain History

Local Wine Tasting around the Hayashi Castle’s Ruins

Matsumoto City is not confined to just its historic city center. Leave the downtown, and a unique journey into the Japanese countryside and passage back through time awaits you. And who can pass up our great wineries! Enjoy a local wine tasting around the Hayashi Castle’s ruins, brought to you by Welcome-Matsumoto and the Matsumoto Tourism Association. This new experience is coming very soon! Satoyamabe Area Located in the eastern part of Matsumoto City, Satoyamabe is easily accessible by electric bike. The district has many interesting sites, including a historic school built by the same architect who built the Kaichi School, listed as a National Treasure. The Ruins of Hayashi […]
2023-01-30 / Last updated : 2023-01-30 Kevin Kato Culture

Feast Your Eyes on Some Silky, Colorful Temari – Traditional Japanese Toy & A Symbol of Matsumoto

As you explore this castle town you may notice a recurring round image. Something like a ball but just as much a work of art, these colorful spheres that pop up almost everywhere you look are called temari, and are both a traditional Japanese toy and a symbol of Matsumoto. The Temari Origin Story The name temari – written 手毬, meaning ‘hand ball’ – is said to have come from the term kemari (‘kick ball’), which referred to a toy brought to Japan from China over 1,300 years ago. Originally made of simple cloth ribbon wrapped around silk swaths of old kimono, temari eventually became objects of art, the rough […]
2022-11-24 / Last updated : 2022-11-24 Sylvain Experience

Things to Do in Matsumoto: Fun Cultural Activities in Nagano

The city of Matsumoto offers much more than just a tour of its historic castle.  The walls of this fortress date back to feudal times and contain a spirit that still has an imprint on the city’s cultural life today. Be amazed by the rich gourmet history of the area! Miso, Soba, Sake, Samurai and Taiko drumming, these foods and activities of Matsumoto will emersed you with the local atmosphere. Discover the best things to do during your stay in the city of Matsumoto! Matsumoto Castle Tour and Samurai Experience The Matsumoto Castle Town was built around its historic castle. The history of this feudal era is closely linked to Samurai […]
2022-10-28 / Last updated : 2022-10-28 Kevin Kato Local Food & Drinks

Shinshu Soba: The Best of Japan’s Simple Brown Noodle

The simple brown Japanese noodle known as soba has a long and lumpy history as well as the local Shinshu Soba. It is said that soba was introduced to Japan from China during the latter part of the Jomon Period, which ended around 300BC. There are written records of soba being grown in Japan during an 8th Century famine. A century later En-no-Gyoja, the founder of the ascetic mountain worship practice of Shugendo, introduced soba to the people inhabiting the places he visited, including the famed Togakushi mountains in northern Nagano. Yet it wasn’t until the Edo Era (1603-1868) that soba began to be served in noddle form. Until then […]
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 […]
2022-06-19 / Last updated : 2022-06-19 Sylvain Local Food & Drinks

Local Cuisine in the Countryside For Vegetarians & Japanese Food Lovers

For the first time this year, Welcome-Matsumoto and the Matsumoto Tourism Association conducted a Monitor Tour in which we explored the local cuisine in the countryside around Matsumoto. The main event was tasting wild plants from the Nagawa countryside in deep-fried tempura, which can be a delicious experience for vegetarians and Japanese food lovers. In addition our guests enjoyed Shinshu Salmon, the same fish served at the 2019 G20 Environment Ministerial Meetings in Karuizawa!  Nagawa Countryside Nagawa is a region located just a few kilometers from Matsumoto City. It is in a remote valley between the Norikura Highlands and the famous Kamikochi National Park. The Nagawa Valley offers spectacular mountain scenery and […]
2022-06-10 / Last updated : 2022-07-02 Kevin Kato Other

Yamaga FC: The Spirit of Matsumoto, All Over Town

Here in Matsumoto we’re mighty proud of our soccer team, Yamaga FC. All over town the streets are dripping in the green and white of the team. Banners hanging from lampposts. Flags rippling in the breeze. Posters in shop windows. Decals on cars. The team mascot, Gans the Ptarmigan, smiles at everyone from vending machines and manhole covers and souvenir shop shelves. The Spirit of Matsumoto. You can’t miss it! The Start of Something Big Soccer in Matsumoto began in 1965 when a non-profit organization called the Alwin Sports Project established a team of players representing Nagano Prefecture in a low-level regional league. From the beginning they called themselves the […]
2022-05-11 / Last updated : 2022-05-11 Sylvain Sightseeing

Azumino & The Japanese Alps: A rural getaway in the heart of Japan

Located in a valley at the heart of the Japanese Alps Mountain range, Azumino offers a true escape into Japan’s natural countryside. Azumino’s history, culture and beautiful landscape make it a must-see destination when visiting Matsumoto. With its vital agricultural activity, its strong local identity and picturesque mountains, Azumino is an ideal location in which to sample the best there is! A worldwide reputation thanks to the local Wasabi Azumino is best known throughout Japan and around the world for the simple reason, it has some of the best local Wasabi. The city has a unique geographical location that allows for abundant Wasabi cultivation. What sets it apart from other […]
2022-03-29 / Last updated : 2022-03-31 Sylvain Special Offer

Special Deal: 20% Off! Local History, Nature, Food & Culture with Matsumoto-Experience

Matsumoto City has a unique environment surrounding its historic castle, which offers an authentic and enjoyable Japanese experience. However, this historic aspect of the city is not limited to its castle, but also includes the city itself, its surrounding fields and the mountain vistas, which stretch as far as the eye can see, offering a breathtaking view. Additionally, its cuisine highlights the deeply rural culture of the region. So, what could be better than experiencing the city with a local guide while enjoying a special deal? Discover the city with “Matsumoto-Experience” Matsumoto-Experience has been created in partnership with Matsumoto Tourism Association and with the support of Nagano Prefecture Community Development […]
2021-10-14 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Kevin Kato Seasonal Topics

Rice Harvesting in Matsumoto: The Beauty of the Season

In a landscape dominated by mountains, among forests that cover 80% of Nagano’s terrain, Matsumoto may not seem well-positioned for an abundance of agriculture. But the farming industry here is alive and well, and it is that time of year once again to enjoy the sight of rice harvesting in Matsumoto – and the beauty of the autumn season. Of course, the harvest is just the culmination. Let’s backtrack a bit… In Spring Rice-planting in Matsumoto takes place in late April to early May. Farmers flood their fields with the clean mountain snowmelt. And, now most often with specialized machinery, plant the young rice shoots they cultivate in greenhouses in […]
2021-09-29 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Kevin Kato Local Food & Drinks

Discover the Best Local Food & Drink in Matsumoto

Owing to its long history of provincial living, Japan is a country of countless regions, each with its own dialect, traditions and food. Surrounded by mountains, Matsumoto and the wider Shinshu region are certainly no exception. To make your visit to Matsumoto complete, it is well worth it to seek out the best local food and drink around, made and loved by the people who have lived here for generations. To get you off to a tasty start, here are our top suggestions. Miso Yes, this salty brown bean paste is found all over Japan. Even globally, miso soup is gaining in popularity. But can you take a guess as […]