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 Originally made of simple cloth ribbon wrapped around silk swaths of old kimono, temari eventually became objects of art, the rough […]

2022-10-31 / Last updated : 2022-10-31 Sylvain Sightseeing

Visit Matsumoto: Sightseeing in the heart of Nagano Prefecture – Japan

Matsumoto City is located just a few hours from Tokyo and has all the charm of a countryside town. Sightseeing in Matsumoto provides a variety of tours for you to discover within an authentic Japan off of the usual tourist beaten path. From its history, culture, cuisine and nature to its ancestral traditions, a visit to Matsumoto is an authentic getaway into the heart of Japan. Matsumoto Discovery: Castle and Historic Districts The city’s National Treasure is a true architectural and historical marvel. Matsumoto Castle is one of only five castles in Japan listed as a “National Treasure” and is worth a visit on its own! The castle attracts tourists […]

2021-11-12 / Last updated : 2022-10-25 Kevin Kato Seasonal Topics

4 Places to Check Out Matsumoto’s Spectacular Fall Colors

Seeing Japan’s famed cherry blossoms in Spring is on the bucket list of many a traveler. But no less brilliant is the autumn season when the entire country blazes with color. Here in the higher altitudes of the leaves change color a bit later than most of the rest of the country, but the wait is well worth it. Of course, you’ll see the leaves changing wherever in town you go, but there are a few pockets of intense and extraordinary allure. Here are four places to check out Matsumoto’s spectacular fall colors. Yohashira Shrine An arching stone bridge leads from the centuries-old atmosphere of Frog Street to the serenity […]

2021-04-19 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Sylvain Video

Matsumoto Video Backstage Passport of our live stream from the city

On Saturday the 13th of February 2021, in cooperation with local tourism organizations, Welcome-Matsumoto introduced you live from Matsumoto City some of the city’s most interesting sites, including the famous historic castle. Let’s get back behind the scenes with this Matsumoto Video Backstage Passport. Watch the video How did the project come about? In these times of worldwide health crise, it has become impossible to travel to Japan and enjoy the authentic charm of this ancient country. It was on this simple (and unfortunately quite sad) observation that the project was born. Initiated by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the Nagano Prefecture, and more precisely the Nagano Prefecture Tourism […]

2021-02-10 / Last updated : 2021-07-07 Sylvain Notification

Matsumoto Facebook Live: February 13th, 2021 (Sat) – 3pm (JST)

Do you love Japan? Want to experience wintertime in the Japanese Alps? Join us and let’s go on journey of winter discovery together with Welcome-Matsumoto Facebook Live show!! Fun From Home Welcome-Matsumoto, in cooperation with The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and The Nagano Prefecture Tourism Organization (Go! Nagano, Japan), introduces Matsumoto City and the many wonderful sights in Nagano Prefecture, LIVE! From Matsumoto’s famous castle and historic Nawate Street to Nagano’s fabulous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and much more! Date & Time The Facebook live show begins on Saturday, Feb 13th at 3pm (15:00 – Japan Standard Time JST, UTC+9) and duration will be approximatively one hour. The experience […]

2020-10-16 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Mike Stiles Sightseeing

Living and Working in Historical Downtown Matsumoto

The Frog Street There is lots of frog stuff here in Nawate Street. The entrance features frog statues, shops sell frog souvenirs, there’s even a small frog shrine! This pedestrian street sometimes is bustling with visitors or a lively festival, but today was very quiet and relaxed. I do graphic design and photography at a co-working space above a local bakery called Sweet Work. The old wooden market stalls along the stone walled river banks and arching wooden bridges provide plenty of inspiration for an artist like me. Local Foods This street has many small local shops and restaurants. I usually take lunch at a Soba noodle shop or grab a […]