Walking around Matsumoto station
The most famous place in Matsumoto, "Matsumoto castle".
日本語はこちら 松本市街地 散策ルート - 勝手に広報大使
Hi, everyone! I am Yamamoto of katteni ambassador.
As I wrote last time, I went to Matsumoto.
So, this time I would like to show you around downtown Matsumoto in this blog.
Matsumoto was cool city because there are historical places and modern shops.
Today I want to introduce 5 places.
1 Cotton Candy Machines at Nawate Dori Street
Nawate dori street is by Yohashira Shrine.
There were some shops that I enjoyed. But My favorite things were Old Cotton Candy Machines. I could image that the machine had spent here for many years because of color fade-out. Unfortunately I couldn’t see that it was making cotton candy.
Also, I found a big statue of frog and the place where I could take nice pictures on Nawate dori street.
It's "photogenic", isn't it?
<katteni ambassador's tips>
Why are there so many frogs on Nawate dori street?
---Long time ago, Nawate dori street was on the bank of metoba river. At that time, Kajika frog which could live only in pure water used to live in the river. That’s why Nawate dori street is called "frog town". So, it is easy to find frog objects on Nawate dori street.
About Yohashira shrine which is next to Nawate dori street
---"Yo" means "4" in Japanese. In Yohashira shrine, 4 spirits are enshrined. And they have different power. So, some people believe that 4 spirits make your every wishes true after you visit here.
I think it's too greedy.
2 Pettie Matsumoto Castle
I found a small Matsumoto castle. That was smaller than other buildings. It was looked like a used book store. I could feel how the peple love Mtsumoto castle.
3 Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure)
This is real Matsumoto castle. You should visit here, if you go to Matsumoto.
When I saw it for the first time, I thought "Oh, it's cool. I have never seen a black castle!".
It was not so big. But the black wall was impressive. I also could see white mountains covered with snow behind the castle. The contrast between a black castle and white mountains was brilliant!
And you should enter the castle. You can see the steepest upstairs that you have ever seen.
<About foreign language volunteer guide>
You can find volunteer guide at "Guide Station" at the entrance of castle park throughout the year except non-operating days.
http://www.npo-alsa.com/home-en
<katteni ambassador's tips>
Matsumoto castle was built around 1500. Matsumoto castle become a national treasure as the oldest extant five structure/six storied castle in Japan. From Outside of the building, it looks like a 5 storied building, but actually it is a 6 storied building.
By the way, there is a white and big castle in Himeji near Osaka. It is Himeji castle (world heritage and national treasure). This is also five structure/six storied castle. Himeji castle is called "White Heron castle". And some people called Matsumoto castle "Crow castle."
If you have opportunities, it is very interesting to compare these two "birds".
4 Kyu-Kaichi School (Kaichi School Museum)
Kaichi school museum was a public school built in Meiji period(1876). There is a new Kaichi elementary school next to the museum. I could see old textbooks and educational materials inside the museum. They were displayed as a real classroom. And I could use them in the room.
5 A Old Style Mailbox (which is middle of a sidewalk)
It have become hard to find this style mailbox recently. It is harder to find this style mailbox which is middle of sidewalk. I had to walk around this obstacle when I passed here.
I have no idea why Japan post office decide to put a mailbox at middle of a side walk.
But I really loved it. So, I use this as this blog's profile picture.
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Matsumoto was very convenient city because I could walk to other tourist attraction from the other one. You can also walk to Matsumoto city museum of art from the station.(Check it from following "Pointed google map")
You could check today's route from the following map.
That's all for today!
I will introduce countryside of Matsumoto next time.
See you!
<Walking route>
red line → On the way
blue line → On the way back
Pointed google map is here
<How to get to Matsumoto>
〇From Tokyo
JR Shinjuku station ⇔ JR Matsumoto station
It takes about 2 and a half hours by "Azusa Express". The price of a one way ticket is around 7,000 yen (price change depend on the season). You can get tickets at JR stations.
You can also go by bus from Shinjuku.
Express Bus to Hakuba | Transportation | ALPICO GROUP Official Website (English)
〇From Nagoya
JR Nagoya station ⇔ JR Matsumoto station
It takes about 2 hours by "Limited Express Shinano". The price of a one way ticket is about 6,000 yen.
You can also go by bus from Nagoya.
Express Bus to Hakuba | Transportation | ALPICO GROUP Official Website (English)
