Matsumoto - my town (Blog)

Pan SIG

A quick note to publicise the fact that Shinshu JALT (our local branch of the Japanese Assoc. Language Teachers) will be hosting the prestigious Pan-SIG Conference up the road at Shindai (Shinshu University) May 21st, 22nd, 2011.

The theme is Fluency, and fuller details will be posted at a later date.
Enquiries to Mark Brierley mark2@shinshu-u.ac.jp

No swimming

There’s a well known, yet secret, open-air swimming pool in Matsumoto. It’s in Kiri - not far from the (Shinshu) University. It’s really cheap - it’s a city-owned pool - and you are not likely to have your swim disturbed by eg other swimmers or heaven’s forbid - “children”.

Don’t bother going to this open air pool. You are not allowed to wear sun cream - you are told to wash it off before you get into the pool. So if you do go, put your cream on before you arrive and have a very casual rinse before plunging in (you MUST shower before entering).

Parents. There is the very real likelihood that the idiotic staff there (city employees) will not believe you when you are challenged about the likelihood of your children not taking a dump, passing number 2s, having a poo or whatever you want to call the call of nature. The manager actually lifted the dresses of our pre-school children to inspect their underwear. He would make any American visitors very rich, I think? Sue, Grabbit & Runne.

You see, this is a very special swimming pool. It is allergic to people, especially children, having fun in it. Can you believe, children might pee in the water? I was shocked at this news - but with a bit of research I discovered something called ‘chlorine’ which can be put in swimming pool water to kill whatever nasties might be introduced. I think Japan has an acute knowledge of what fishing nets can be used for? With a bit of imagination they could also be used for other purposes, if a child might be so unlucky to have an accident in the water?

The day I tried to take our 3-year-olds there, sum total ONE swimmer, FIVE staff (very busy lolling in their a/c office). Glorious sunny morning, mid-summer. There is even a special little pool - about 8 inches deep. Uninfected with children. I think it is called a ‘paddling pool’. Apparently the idea is that children play it it to gain confidence with water. I think any parent taking their kids there would pretty much expect that said pool might not be 100% H2O.

Oh, even if you do comply with the entry rules, you have to get out every 20 minutes for an obligatory rest - even if you just got in. Suncream on? Nope!

“It’s Japan” & “Those are the rules”.

Love this town, but there aren’t half some jobsworths.

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Visiting Kamikochi and Norikura Hot Spring by the New 2-day Bus/train Pass

One week ago, I visited Kamikochi and Norikura Hot Spring using the new 2-day bus/train pass with my family.
We have had an incredibly hot summer this year in Japan and it was 35 degree C (95 deg F) downtown, but in Kamikochi and Norikura, (altitude is 1500 meters), it was 25 deg C (77 deg F).

We enjoyed hiking in the cool wind, seeing the beautiful flow of a river, and soaking in a white water hot spring.

A one-way ticket from Matsumoto - Kamikochi is 2,400 yen, Kamikochi - Norikura is 1,700 yen, Norikura - Matsumoto is around 2,000 yen, so 5,000 yen for the 2-day pass including free bus ride also in downtown is cheap. By another pass, ”4 Day Alps Wide Shinshu/Hida Free Passport”, Y10,000, you can visit Takayama and Hida area. “3 Day Free Pass Shinshu” Y6,000 enables you to travel in Matsumoto downtown, Utsukushigahara, Nagano city, Hakuba, and Suwa area.

On the way back to downtown, we got a watermelon in the Hata area, which is famous for “the sweetest watermelons in Japan” and ate it at home. It was really delicious!

Summer drums

Matsumoto castle proudly sets the stunning backdrop for city’s annual two-day drumming festival. Once again this year, the weather co-operated and spectators were rewarded with a rich and varied set of performances.

Groups young and old took part, professional and journeymen participants. The event runs like clockwork (what else would you expect!) and is popular for all ages - kids sneaking into the front of the front rows or even sneaking up to the stage and catching a first class view. Having said that, some of the drums are so big, you really have to stand back a bit!

This year a ‘first’ was seeing a masked performer play a drum while actually standing on it. Another crowd pleaser was the showman ‘drumming’ with kendama - a traditional Japanese toy. He started off small, jamming with a drummer & a flautist, before his finale with a six-foot version.

Locals and tourists alike enjoyed the spectacle - four hours of drumming each evening for free, as the sun set behind the Alps/Castle/stage. Just the right setting to sit and have a beer or two with your friends, let the Japanese culture soak in once again.

Sorry, no no decent photos - had my hands full!

I added some photos. (Andy)

Summer Festival Season

Now, the summer festival season started!
In downtown Matsumoto and the Fukashi Shrine, Tenjin Matsuri (heavenly gods sky festival) is held on July 24th-25th every year.
This year, the dates are Saturday and Sunday; so many people came to join the festival.
It is fun and a good opportunity for young people to wear Yukata (traditional Japanese clothes for summer) and meet with their friends at night on the first day in the shrine.

I pulled the float (dashi) of our town Nakamachi. Some foreign travelers were taking photos of traditional and unusual scenes of the float parade.
There are many summer festivals held in and around Matsumoto, such as fireworks festivals, taiko (drum) festivals at Matsumoto Castle and dance parade festivals like Matsumoto Bon-bon).

Display of healthy sustainability

Not to sure about the title of this event!

Bakers, farmers, foot masseurs, shoe fitters, fortune tellers of various ilk, musicians, aromatherapists, artists…in all 35 specialists are coming together to present what they are doing to improve our life experience. It’s interactive - so hands on and chance to chat with participants. You can have a trial of various things for a minimal fee, and be able to buy fresh bread, organic veg etc.

Will be held this Saturday (21st)10:00-16:00 & Sunday (22nd)10:00 - 17:00 at Nakamachi Classic Kan - the biggish old Japanese kura/warehouse set back from the road (Nakamachi St) on the right hand side as you wander away from the town centre.

Shamisen performance on Saturday, Gospel singing Sunday. Sorry, don’t know times.

Entrance is free. Ask for Chiaki Misawa if you’d like a bit of an explanation in English. Enjoy!

Party Event by Shinshu University International Students

I was invited to an international party the week before last. The party was held near Shinshu University by international students from the university. They were from Malaysia, Mexico, Chinese. Surprisingly, they spoke not only Japanese, but also English. A Chinese Malaysian lady there spoke four languages which were Malay, Chinese, English and Japanese. She said that she was raised in that kind of surroundings. I guess she must have had a hard time to get over difficulties playing with four languages as a child.
I envy her because I am struggling to learn English now. Malaysians there cooked food (see the photo) for us. They were steamed chicken, rice cooked with ginger and chicken, chicken and seafood stir-fried with Okura and oyster sauce and some vegetables. My favorite dish was the rice cooked with ginger and chicken. It’s better to pour some chicken soup on the rice before you eat. The dishes remained me of stalls in Asian countries. It was a pity that they didn’t understand my English…

An interview with Gubernatorial candidate, Takeshi Matsumoto

The noisy election season is about to begin; the election for the next Governor of Nagano prefecture will be held in August. Don’t be alarmed if a white van with loudspeakers blaring drives past you and ladies with white gloves on wave at you from within…

So far, two candidates Abe Shuichi (the former vice-Governor) and Takeshi Matsumoto (director of Chihiro Museum) have announced their candidacies. Local politics, and even national politics, is a spectator event at best for even long-term residents; England will win the football World Cup before we get a vote.

Visitors could care even less I am sure. In the past, official opinion could be interpreted as reciprocal! Times they are a changing.

Candidate Takeshi Matsumoto gave me an hour of his time last week to talk about himself, his beloved Chihiro Museum, and his plans to shake things up a bit should he win the election.

The interview is unedited, in English, and available to listen/download at Podbean or here, or on the podcast player here where you can also read my feelings about Matsumoto-san’s policies.

I think it’s great that a candidate for Governor can express himself competently…and in English. I look forward to sharing the views of other candidate(s) if they are ready & willing to make themselves available.

What are your comments on Mr. Matsumoto’s policy ideas?

Wild Flowers & Monkeys, Fresh Green and Music Festival in Kamikochi

I went to Kamikochi to hike and see the famous wild flower nirinso(wind flower).
The flowers are passed their peak, but I could still see many flowers between Myojin and Tokusawa, which is a gateway to climb the Japan Alps. The scene of a great many tiny nirinso blooming in Kamikochi is really cute and famous.


I also saw wild monkeys. I sometimes see them coming from the front of the trail. They, especially the young ones, are also cute. They were eating leaves of wild grass.

From mid-May to early-June is the best season in Kamikochi, since we can see the remaining snow on the mountains, fresh green leaves, and wild flowers.
On the day I went, an annual event Kamikochi Music Festival was held in Konashidaira Camp Site. Clear voice of a famous singer and local chorus group echoed in the beautiful valleys and mountains of the Japan Alps in the background.

Free Matsumoto Walking Guidebook is now newly issued!

Matsumoto city has issued English Matsumoto Walking Guidebook this March. It is a 32 page handy booklet and contains a convenient list of restaurants/bars, hotels/ryokans, and other travel information.
The unique point of this guidebook is, seven native English speakers from various countries who live in/around Matsumoto wrote columns as “personal recommendation by local residents”.
All other articles were also translated by native English speakers who can read Japanese, so the English in the booklet is natural.
This guidebook is distributed freely at the Tourist Information Centers in Matsumoto.
I believe you can enjoy travelling/strolling/living in Matsumoto more than before with this perfect guidebook!

Sakura on Ice!!

Well I dropped a camera in the moat trying to get good night shots of the rare combination of snow on the cherry blossoms, which after fishing it out weren’t much good anyway.

But by morning though the snow was going to melt fast, there was still some time to get a few shots of this rare occurance.

My night shots didn’t turn out so good anyway dispite having wasted a camera on them… Got a better shot in this one two years back(less the snow)with the Sakura somewhat visable on the left The moon rising over the castle and a famous Matsumoto rehydration facility lit up on the far right!(i.e.the roof top beer garden).

Cherries at Matsumoto Castle Are in Full Bloom

This year, the cherry trees at Matsumoto Castle started to bloom on April 6th and almost in full bloom now.

You can check out the cherry blossoms in the“Cherry Blossom Live Camera” page we started from last year.

Nighttime cherry blossom viewing event is held till April 16. You can drink Japanese tea served by kimono women, purchase sweet rice dumplings, and listen to perfomances of the classical gagaku music.

Also, inside and outside the castle park is lit up at night till April 17 from 6pm-10pm.

Information Centre - new recruit

Good news for all English speaking visitors to Matsumoto, looking for help/advice/directions. Takako has just started working in the Tourist Info Centre near the castle. Takako speaks great English and has lived in Matsumoto most of her life, she’s super enthusiastic (unless we are talking about homework).

She gave up the bright lights of Ginza for this new job, so please drop in and ask her something!

A welcoming restauranteur

I’ve long been told that the best yakitori restaurant in town is Yamameya, but I have not been able to test the theory until last night. Fellow Yokoso contributor Tana & I were invited to join a couple of our students (who a regulars) there for food and drinks.

“Yakitori. What’s that?” Basically anything you fancy on a stick, grilled. You can choose with some whether you want them salted our sauced (teriyaki). Taste is quite different so try both?

“What’s on the menu?” Don’t know, all in Japanese. BUT, the master can explain in rudimentary English + show you the raw materials; be adventurous and don’t ask what it is until after you’ve enjoyed it. Personal favourites last night were beef tongue, liver, and stuffed shiitake mushrooms.

“Expensive?” No. Very reasonable.

“Drinks?” Notably large glasses of draft beer, bottled also available including 0%. Well-stocked selection of sake, ask for the owner’s recommendation “ossusume” (why not try local labels?).

“Where is it?” About five minutes walk from the castle, two minutes off Frog Street.

Skiing in Spring And Hot Spring After Skiing

I went to Norikura Ski Resort last Saturday. It was a sunny and warm day, so I enjoyed “Spring Skiing”. The weather and atmosphere was much different from skiing in severe winter weather and I could relax.
The ski resort will close on the 28th, but the peak of Mt. Norikura and higher places are still covered with much snow and some ski/snowboard freaks enjoy skiing/snowboarding after April.

I soaked in the outside bath of Norikura hot spring and enjoyed the white water of the hot spring after skiing.

Matsumoto Girl at the Olympics

I have been just watching the finals of the Olympic Ladies Figure Ice skating. Congratulations to Kim Yuna from Korea who is clearly an exceptional skater and to Mao Asada up against such an exceptional opponent….But It is also great to see that half of the top 8 places were Japanese if you include #4 Mirai Nagasu a girl whose mother comes from right here in Matsumoto.
Mirai if you’re out there…Come and vist your mother country and your mother’s hometown again sometime soon. And best wishes to your Mom healthwise at the moment.

Skiing at Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba and Norikura

We have had much snow in ski resorts in and around Matsumoto this season.
I went skiing in Nozawa Onsen on Feb 7 and Hakuba Happo-one on Feb 11.
Nozawa Onsen is located in Japan’s deepest snow area. In the ski resort, the snow was 3.3 meters deep (in 2006, it was 5.2 meters deep!).
Feb 7 was just after heavy snow, so we enjoyed new deep powder snow

Hakuba is getting popular among foreigners, especially Australians. We visited a hotel whose owner is also an Australian. We were little surprised that even McDonald’s exists at the top of the gondola. Hakuba Happo-one, where the Downhill and Super G courses of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics exist, is two hours far from Matsumoto downtown.

In Norikura Snow Resort, which is only one hour far from Matsumoto downtown and also popular for great power snow by high altitude (1500-2000m), an event “Children Day” was held today. Under the beautiful blue sky and white peak of Mt. Norikura (3025m) of Japan Alps, many children and parents enjoyed some events including snowmobiling.

Funny drunk

In life you get to witness few memorable events. Like Del Boy falling through the bar in Only Fools & Horses?

I was on my way home in the car after a long day. Unusually, I took a short cut down sleazy street (Urumachi), loathing the pimps and prostitutes that blight the neighbourhood. I spotted one lady of the night trying to proposition a falling down drunk. Not one of our city’s best-policed areas, sadly.

Our drunk obviously escaped Venus’ clutches. A hundred yards up the street
our paths re-crossed, and timber…he fell head first into our local spring like he’d been attacked by a crocodile! The spring is barely a foot deep, but somehow our hero managed to dunk himself from head to toe, before falling out again, head first.

This was a comedy move Billy Connolly couldn’t have worked. Just wanted to share (and yes, the staggering drunk did toddle away ’safely’ - dripping). Funniest thing I have seen for ages. And sorry, no video.

Carrying a portable shrine in “Candy Festival”

In the coldest season, Matsumoto has a hot festival – Ameichi, which means “Candy Market” Festival.
The festival started 430 years ago, during the Warring States Period when samurai warriors had fights!
Now, the main streets in Matsumoto are closed to car traffic and more than one hundred thousand visitors walk and enjoy the festival.
This year, Jan 10, I carried a portable shrine (mikoshi) for the first time. The shrine didn`t look heavy, but it was very heavy. Although 16 people carry one shrine, I had pains in my shoulder.
After carrying it, we had delicious sake and soba.

There are also many other events in the festival – taiko performance (see the right photo), traditional costume parade, Japanese candy exhibition, tug-of-wars, and darumas (fortune dolls) sold by only kids.
It is a fun event that celebrates the start of a new year.