Matsumoto, Nagano
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in Nagano Prefecture
, Japan
. Matsumoto is designated as a Special City
.
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 , 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.
Home to several renowned current and former musical instrument factories, such as Matsumoku (closed in 1986) and FujiGen Gakki.
Matsumoto, like many areas in Japan, is home to abundant onsen
(温泉 or hot springs).
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.
, Utah
, United States
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Matsumoto is designated as a Special City
Special cities of Japan
of Japan are cities with populations of at least 200,000, and are delegated a subset of the functions delegated to core cities.This category was established by the Local Autonomy Law, article 252 clause 26...
.
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.Temari (toy)
Temari balls are a folk art form that originated in China and was introduced to Japan five or six hundred years ago. "Temari" means "hand ball" in Japanese. Embroidered balls may be used in hand ball games.-History:...
(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
Soba
is the Japanese name for buckwheat. It is synonymous with a type of thin noodle made from buckwheat flour, and in Japan can refer to any thin noodle . Soba noodles are served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or in hot broth as a noodle soup...
is famous and many are delighted by its delicate taste. Just north of Matsumoto is the world's largest wasabi
Wasabi
, also known as Japanese horseradish, is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbages, horseradish, and mustard. Its root is used as a condiment and has an extremely strong flavor. Its hotness is more akin to that of a hot mustard rather than the capsaicin in a chili pepper,...
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
Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto
Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto is an annual classical music festival held in August and September in the Japanese Alps near Matsumoto. Founded in 1992 by music director Seiji Ozawa, the festival's resident orchestra is the renowned Saito Kinen Orchestra....
, held every August by conductor Seiji Ozawa and featuring the Saito Kinen Orchestra; regular guests have included Robert Mann
Robert Mann
Robert Mann is a musician, composer, and conductor.He was a founding member and first violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet for 52 years, and mentor to younger generations of string musicians....
and Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, KBE , known to close friends as Slava, was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya. He is widely considered to have been the greatest cellist of the second half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest of...
. It is very difficult to get tickets: Many people wait in line two days before tickets go on sale.
Home to several renowned current and former musical instrument factories, such as Matsumoku (closed in 1986) and FujiGen Gakki.
Matsumoto, like many areas in Japan, is home to abundant onsen
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
(温泉 or hot springs).
Surrounding municipalities
The newly merged city of Matsumoto is surrounded by 14 municipalities.- ShiojiriShiojiri, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan. Its name literally means "the end of salt".-History:Municipal Area Changes* April 1, 1927-The village of Shiojiri gained town status....
- AzuminoAzumino, Naganois a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The city was founded on October 1, 2005, when the town of Akashina, from Higashichikuma District, and the towns of Hotaka and Toyoshina, and the villages of Horigane and Misato, from Minamiazumi District, merged to form a new city...
- YamagataYamagata, Naganois a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 8,094 and a density of 324.54 persons per km². The total area is 24.94 km²....
- AsahiAsahi, Naganois a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 4,941 and a density of 69.96 persons per km². The total area is 70.63 km².-External links:*...
- ŌmachiOmachi, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 31,079 and the population density of 55 persons per km². The total area is 564.99 km²....
- ChikuhokuChikuhoku, Naganois a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The village was incorporated on October 11, 2005 by a merger of three villages, namely Honjō, Sakakita, and Sakai....
- Ueda
- NagawaNagawa, Naganois a town located in Chiisagata District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The town was founded on October 1, 2005 when the town of Nagato and the village of Wada from Chiisagata District merged....
- AokiAoki, Naganois a village located in Chiisagata District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 4,874 and a density of 85.37 persons per km². The total area is 57.09 km².-External links:*...
- ShimosuwaShimosuwa, Naganois a town located in Suwa District, Nagano, Japan. It is located on Lake Suwa, a large, natural lake surrounded by mountains.As of 2006, the town has an estimated population of 22,421. The total area is 66.90 km²....
- TakayamaTakayama, Gifuis a city located in Gifu, Japan. As of July, 2011 the city has an estimated population of 92,369. The total area is .Takayama was settled as far back as the Jōmon period. Takayama is best known for its inhabitants' expertise in carpentry. It is believed carpenters from Takayama worked on the...
- Kiso VillageKiso, Nagano (village)is a village located in Kiso District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 3,438 and a density of 24.48 persons per km². The total area is 140.46 km².-External links:*...
- Kiso TownKiso, Nagano (town)is a town located in Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The town was founded on November 1, 2005, when the town of Kisofukushima was merged with three villages , all from Kiso District....
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
Higashichikuma District, Nagano
is a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
, and the district's name came from the former Chikuma Prefecture.
Taishō Era
- February 1, 1925-The city absorbed the village of Matsumoto from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
.
Shōwa Era
- April 1, 1943-The city absorbed the Kanda area in the village of Nakayama from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
. - April 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Nakayama, Shimadachi, and Shimauchi (all from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
). - August 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Wada, Niimura, Kanbayashi, Sasaga, Yoshikawa, Kotobuki, Okada, Iriyamabe, Satoyamabe, and Imai (all from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
). - April 1, 1960-The city acquired the Kitauchida ward-excluding Gakenoyu area from village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
from the city of ShiojiriShiojiri, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan. Its name literally means "the end of salt".-History:Municipal Area Changes* April 1, 1927-The village of Shiojiri gained town status....
. - April 1, 1961-The city acquired the Gakenoyu area-Minamiuchida ward in the village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
from the city of ShiojiriShiojiri, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan. Its name literally means "the end of salt".-History:Municipal Area Changes* April 1, 1927-The village of Shiojiri gained town status....
. - May 1, 1974-The city absorbed the village of Hongo from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
. - April 1, 1982-The city acquired parts of Seba area (Kukohigashi) from the city of ShiojiriShiojiri, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan. Its name literally means "the end of salt".-History:Municipal Area Changes* April 1, 1927-The village of Shiojiri gained town status....
.
Heisei Era
- Between the days of June 27 and June 28, 1994 - The Matsumoto IncidentMatsumoto incidentThe Matsumoto incident was an act of domestic terrorism perpetrated by members of Aum Shinrikyo in Matsumoto, Japan, in Nagano prefecture, on the evening of June 27 and the morning of June 28, 1994....
sarinSarinSarin, or GB, is an organophosphorus compound with the formula [2CHO]CH3PF. It is a colorless, odorless liquid, which is used as a chemical weapon. It has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resolution 687...
gas attack occurred. - November 1, 2000-Matsumoto became a Special CitySpecial cities of Japanof Japan are cities with populations of at least 200,000, and are delegated a subset of the functions delegated to core cities.This category was established by the Local Autonomy Law, article 252 clause 26...
. - January 2002-Matsumoto City Hall gained ISO 14001ISO 14000The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations (a) minimize how their operations (processes etc.) negatively affect the...
rights. - April 1, 2005-The city merged with the villages of Azumi, Nagawa, AzusagawaAzusagawa, Naganowas a village located in Minamiazumi District, Nagano, Japan.On April 1, 2005 Azusagawa, along with the village of Shiga, from Higashichikuma District, and the villages of Nagawa and Azumi, all from Minamiazumi District, was merged into the city of Matsumoto....
from Minamiazumi DistrictMinamiazumi District, NaganoMinamiazumi was a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 99,785 and a density of 117.22 persons per km²...
, and the village of ShigaShiga, Naganowas a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano, Japan.On April 1, 2005 Shiga, along with the villages of Nagawa, Azumi and Azusagawa, all from Minamiazumi District, was merged into the city of Matsumoto....
from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
to form the new city of Matsumoto. (Matsumoto officially absorbed all four villages without creating the new municipal organization) - March 31, 2010- The town of HataHata, Naganois a district of Matsumoto City, following the merger between Hata Town and Matsumoto City on 31 March 2010. Hata is located in Nagano, Japan...
from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
merged into the city of Matsumoto.
Within Japan
- FujisawaFujisawa, Kanagawais a city located in Kanagawa, Japan. As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 407,731 and a population density of 5,870 people per km². The total area is 69.51 km²-Geography:...
(Kanagawa PrefectureKanagawa Prefectureis a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
)- Signed on July 29, 1961
- HimejiHimeji, Hyogois a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. As of April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 535,945, with 206,409 households. The total area is 534.43 km².- History :...
(Hyōgo PrefectureHyogo Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
)- Signed on November 17, 1966
- Takayama, GifuTakayama, Gifuis a city located in Gifu, Japan. As of July, 2011 the city has an estimated population of 92,369. The total area is .Takayama was settled as far back as the Jōmon period. Takayama is best known for its inhabitants' expertise in carpentry. It is believed carpenters from Takayama worked on the...
(Gifu PrefectureGifu Prefectureis a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
)- Signed on November 1, 1971
Overseas
Salt Lake CitySalt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-
- Signed in 1958
- Signed on November 17, 1989 LangfangLangfangLangfang , Hebei province, China, is a prefecture-level city located approximately midway between Beijing and Tianjin with a total population of 3.85 million and an urban area population of 763,700. Its total area is around 6,429 km²...
(Hebei province, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
) 河北省廊坊市 - Signed on March 21, 1995 as a friendship city GrindelwaldGrindelwaldGrindelwald is a municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. The village is located at above sea level in the Bernese Alps.-Winter sports:...
, Canton of Bern, SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... - 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 CastleMatsumoto Castle, also known as the because of its black exterior, is one of Japan's premier historic castles. It is located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture and is within easy reach of Tokyo by road or rail....
- 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 MuseumKaichi School MuseumThe in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture was one of the first schools in Japan. It opened in a temporary building in May 1873, the year after the first major education reforms were introduced by the new Ministry of Education. The school moved to new premises in April 1876. This western-style building,...
- Kaichi School Museum
- Kaichi School is the first junior high school in Japan. The beautiful appearance of Kaichi School is much acclaimed.
- Asama OnsenAsama Onsenis an onsen located in the city of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The Asama Hot Spring Center, also known as the Hot Plaza Hall, has a configuration typical of many Japanese onsen with separate areas for males and females; each area contains multiple indoor pools and two outdoor pools, one hot...
- Saito Kinen Festival MatsumotoSaito Kinen Festival MatsumotoSaito Kinen Festival Matsumoto is an annual classical music festival held in August and September in the Japanese Alps near Matsumoto. Founded in 1992 by music director Seiji Ozawa, the festival's resident orchestra is the renowned Saito Kinen Orchestra....
- Asama Onsen
Former city of Matsumoto
- May 1, 1907-The town of Matsumoto gained city status alone.
- February 1, 1925-The city absorbed the village of Matsumoto from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
. - April 1, 1943-The city absorbed the Kanda area in the village of Nakayama from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
. - April 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Nakayama, Shimadachi, and Shimauchi (all from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
). - August 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Wada, Niimura, Kanbayashi, Sasaga, Yoshikawa, Kotobuki, Okada, Iriyamabe, Satoyamabe, and Imai (all from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
). - April 1, 1960-The city acquired the Kitauchida ward-excluding Gakenoyu area from village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
from the city of ShiojiriShiojiri, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan. Its name literally means "the end of salt".-History:Municipal Area Changes* April 1, 1927-The village of Shiojiri gained town status....
. - April 1, 1961-The city acquired the Gakenoyu area-Minamiuchida ward in the village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
from the city of ShiojiriShiojiri, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan. Its name literally means "the end of salt".-History:Municipal Area Changes* April 1, 1927-The village of Shiojiri gained town status....
. - May 1, 1974-The city absorbed the village of Hongo from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
. - April 1, 1982-The city acquired parts of Seba area (Kukohigashi) from the city of ShiojiriShiojiri, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan. Its name literally means "the end of salt".-History:Municipal Area Changes* April 1, 1927-The village of Shiojiri gained town status....
. - April 1, 2005-The city absorbed the villages of Azumi, NagawaNagawa (Minamiazumi), Naganowas a village located in Minamiazumi District, Nagano, Japan.On April 1, 2005 Nagawa, along with the village of Shiga, from Higashichikuma District, and the villages of Azumi and Azusagawa, all from Minamiazumi District, was merged into the city of Matsumoto....
, AzusagawaAzusagawa, Naganowas a village located in Minamiazumi District, Nagano, Japan.On April 1, 2005 Azusagawa, along with the village of Shiga, from Higashichikuma District, and the villages of Nagawa and Azumi, all from Minamiazumi District, was merged into the city of Matsumoto....
from Minamiazumi DistrictMinamiazumi District, NaganoMinamiazumi was a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 99,785 and a density of 117.22 persons per km²...
, and the village of ShigaShiga, Naganowas a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano, Japan.On April 1, 2005 Shiga, along with the villages of Nagawa, Azumi and Azusagawa, all from Minamiazumi District, was merged into the city of Matsumoto....
from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
. - March 31, 2010- The town of HataHata, Naganois a district of Matsumoto City, following the merger between Hata Town and Matsumoto City on 31 March 2010. Hata is located in Nagano, Japan...
from Higashichikuma DistrictHigashichikuma District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,044. The total area is 268.42 km²...
merged into the city of Matsumoto.