Matsumoto Japan Magic
Tucked within the rooftop of Nagano Ken's mighty mountains
Matsumoto is known for fresh mountain air, a fabulous castle, friendly people, the Japanese Alps, ukiyo-e,soba noodles and some other epicurien delights.
Like the area’s renowned temari (embroidered balls with geometric designs), Matsumoto’s many colors of cultural and historical threads come together creating a place of beauty.
The city is easy to navigate by walking, boarding the “sneaker bus” or even pedaling a bike. If the latter is your choice several sites exist for free bicycle loan outs. One of the best is the Matsumoto Museum/Japanese Folklore Museum
Before riding off investigate the museum. The exhibits highlight 14 centuries of local history. A diversity of multiple wooden phalluses makes a striking and curious display. Annually featured in a festival they honor roadside guardians. Nearby a large imposing figure, in a black samurai costume, is reminiscent of a Star Wars’ villain.
Your museum ticket also allows admittance into the nearby castle.
Masumoto-jo is one of the jewels in the crown of Japan’s four National Treasure castles. Untouched by Allied bombs, during WW II, it dates back to the 16th century and is nicknamed the “Crow Castle” due to its distinctive black coloring. Inside the spirit of the samurai is quickly felt. Six stories connected by steep staircases makes it easy to imagine scurrying warriors running to narrow slit windows and shooting arrows and bullets on their enemies below.
Savagery aside, the castle possesses calm cloisters like the tsukimi yagura (Moon Watching Pavilion). Photo opportunities abound when majestic swans glide under vibrant red bridges crossing the moat, snow-capped mountains beckon from beyond the garden and spring’s arrival brings a canopy of white cherry blossoms along the castle’s north side.
A word of advice - no outdoor footwear is allowed past the front entrance’s strict gatekeeper. If your feet are larger than size nine (ladies) or size seven (men) the provided slippers can prove a bit snug. If necessary, bring your own.
Narrow streets and architecture in the Nakamachi preserve the past. Once an area of merchants and their kuru (warehouses) the buildings are now home to restaurants, galleries of local art and a ryokan.
Timing is everything at the Timepiece Museum. Just past the Sensai Bridge the vast clock collection comes from around the globe. Short on time? On the hour, the outdoor Karakuri Clock opens revealing figures spinning to music.
Visit the best of the floating world. Called ukiyo–e it is the highly detailed and colorful woodblock prints, traditionally from the Edo and Meiji periods. Connoisseurs and neophytes, alike, flock to nearby Ukiyo-e Museum housing the world’s largest private collection. Walking there can be a bit confusing. Having the museum's name and address written in Japanese will assist in asking the locals directions. Going by taxi is an easier- albeit - more expensive alternative.
Sightseeing requires refueling, and Matsumoto provides dietary delights like shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles). Served hot or cold they are often flavored with wasabi Japanese horseradish grown commercially nearby. More adventurous eaters might try raw sakuraniki or cooked basash. Some opt to eat the horsemeat entrees while drinking sake, so if that will make the experience more palatable – sip away!
While other delicacies like bee larvae and crickets can also be digested more familiar Japanese fare such as sashimi, tempura and yakitori can be found along with international dining choices.
Hikers and nature buffs use Matsumoto as a jumping off site for the region’s mountains and trails. Train travel time, from either Tokyo or Nagoya, is less than 2.5 hours making it an easy day trip.
The tourist office, outside the train station, is manned with friendly staff possessing good English skills. Nearby coined storage lockers make luggage-free exploring easy.
Matsumoto is ready whenever you are!
