natural spring

2023-12-18 / Last updated : 2023-12-18 Kevin Kato Sightseeing

Handmade Soba, Simple Hiking & Hot Springs, All in Asama Onsen

The hot spring village of Asama sits quietly in northern Matsumoto. It’s an easy twenty-minute bus ride from the station, or just a bit longer by bike. Once you’re there you’ll find a compact pocket of regional history hemmed in by modest mountains and packed with handmade soba, simple hiking and storybook hot springs. From a distance it’s easy to miss. Up close you’ll discover a lot. Hot Springs The onsen village of Asama is said to have been established in the earliest stages of Japan’s history as a nation. Known originally as Tsukama-no-Yu, the hot springs here attracted nobility and samurai from the Kamakura Era right down through the […]
2021-02-24 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Mike Stiles Local Food & Drinks

Exploring Matsumoto’s spring water wells

I took a stroll around downtown Matsumoto to visit some of the many Matsumoto’s spring water wells. Just underneath much of Nagano Prefecture lies a subterranean aquifer. Much of this pure natural spring water is tapped by the many wells around the city. Small treasures around each corner In Matsumoto there are around 20 such public wells and dozens more private wells scattered all over the city. Each well, large and small, has its own character. Many of them are picturesque and easily accessible. Clear spring water bubbles up from these wells during much of the year. Prehistoric waters and a centuries old tradition The aquifer is eons old and […]