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Matsumoto, Nagano

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Template:Infobox City Japan

Matsumoto (松本市, Matsumoto-shi) is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Matsumoto is designated as a Special City.

Outline

The new city of Matsumoto is the city comprising the mergers of the old city of Matsumoto and four villages. (Matsumoto officially absorbed those villages without creating a new municipal organization.)

Matsumoto, just outside the train station, at night.
Matsumoto, just outside the train station, at night.

Matsumoto is surrounded by mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful views. Hiking and climbing locations in the mountains are readily accessible by local bus transportation. Matsumoto has several historic features, such as Matsumoto Castle (松本城, Matsumoto-jō), Kaichi school (Kaichi gakkō), and Temari (traditional Japanese handball).

Matsumoto is attractive to travellers not only because of the traditional culture but also its calm climate and its products. Matsumoto soba is famous and many are delighted by its delicate taste. Just north of Matsumoto is the world's largest wasabi farm. Wasabi can only be grown in extremely clean water so there is much local pride in this product. In addition, Matsumoto is home to the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto , held every August by conductor Seiji Ozawa and featuring the Saito Kinen Orchestra; regular guests have included Robert Mann and Mstislav Rostropovich. It is very difficult to get tickets: Many people wait in line two days before tickets go on sale.

Matsumoto, like many areas in Japan, is home to abundant onsen (温泉 or hot springs).

Matsumoto Castle
Four Pillars Shrine
Kaichi School

Geography

Surrounding Municipalities

The newly merged city of Matsumoto is surrounded by 14 municipalities.

The former city of Matsumoto

Since the post merger Matsumoto's (the new city of Matsumoto) area is too big because the city now includes the mountainous areas, the data of the former city (the old city of Matsumoto) is listed on the right.

However, "The city of Matsumoto" is primarily centralized on the old city of Matsumoto because most of the dramas and plays are centralized on Kaichi Gakko (Kaichi School) and Matsumoto Castle.

Since the new city of Matsumoto has absorbed the village of Azumi, The tour guides are calling the area "Matsumoto-Kamikochi Area" instead of "The city of Matsumoto."

The Old Matsumoto City Hall is currently used as the New Matsumoto City Hall. However, the old city of Matsumoto was located within Higashichikuma District, and the district's name came from the former Chikuma Prefecture.

History

Meiji Era

  • May 1, 1907-The town of Matsumoto gained city status alone.

Taishō Era

Shōwa Era

Heisei Era

Sister Cities

Within Japan

Overseas

Signed in 1958
Signed on November 17, 1989
Signed on March 21, 1995 as a friendship city
Signed with the village of Azumi on April 20, 1972 (Assumed the sister city honors on April 1, 2005 after the village of Azumi was merged into the city of Matsumoto.)

Tourist Attractions

Matsumoto Castle was built more than 400 years ago. It is also called Crow Castle (Karasu Jō) because of its black appearance. The castle is open to tourists and displays many ancient weapons from and inspired by Europe including muskets and rifles.
  • Kaichi School
Kaichi School is the first junior high school in Japan. The beautiful appearance of Kaichi School is much acclaimed.

Complete list of the municipal timeline per former towns and villages

Former city of Matsumoto

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matsumoto, Nagano.
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