Matsumoto, Nagano

Matsumoto 松本
—  Special city  —
松本市 · Matsumoto
Flag
Location of Matsumoto in Nagano
Matsumoto
Coordinates: 36°14′N 137°58′E / 36.233°N 137.967°E / 36.233; 137.967Coordinates: 36°14′N 137°58′E / 36.233°N 137.967°E / 36.233; 137.967
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Nagano
Government
– Mayor	Akira Sugenoya
Area
– Total	978.77 km2 (377.9 sq mi)
Population (September 1, 2011)
– Total	243,564
– Density	248.8/km2 (644.5/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Symbols
- Tree	Japanese Red Pine
- Flower	Japanese azalea
Phone number	0263-34-3000
Address	3-7 Marunouchi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken 390-8620
Website	City of Matsumoto

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 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.

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).

Matsumoto Castle

Four Pillars Shrine

Kaichi School

Geography

Surrounding municipalities

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

• Shiojiri
• Azumino
• Yamagata
• Asahi
• Ōmachi
• Chikuhoku
• Ueda
• Nagawa
• Aoki
• Shimosuwa
• Takayama
• Kiso Village
• Kiso Town

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.

Climate

Climate data for Matsumoto, Japan (1981～2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	18.8 (65.8)	21.1 (70.0)	25.9 (78.6)	30.9 (87.6)	32.3 (90.1)	35.9 (96.6)	37.9 (100.2)	38.5 (101.3)	35.3 (95.5)	31.8 (89.2)	25.6 (78.1)	21.5 (70.7)	38.5 (101.3)
Average high °C (°F)	5.0 (41.0)	6.0 (42.8)	10.5 (50.9)	17.8 (64.0)	22.9 (73.2)	26.0 (78.8)	29.4 (84.9)	31.1 (88.0)	25.7 (78.3)	19.3 (66.7)	13.6 (56.5)	8.0 (46.4)	17.9
Average low °C (°F)	−5.2 (22.6)	−4.8 (23.4)	−1.5 (29.3)	4.1 (39.4)	9.9 (49.8)	14.9 (58.8)	19.2 (66.6)	20.2 (68.4)	15.9 (60.6)	8.4 (47.1)	2.1 (35.8)	−2.7 (27.1)	6.7
Record low °C (°F)	−24.8 (−12.6)	−20.4 (−4.7)	−17.9 (−0.2)	−10.1 (13.8)	−2.7 (27.1)	2.3 (36.1)	10.2 (50.4)	8.0 (46.4)	3.0 (37.4)	−3.6 (25.5)	−8.4 (16.9)	−19.2 (−2.6)	−24.8 (−12.6)
Precipitation mm (inches)	35.9 (1.413)	43.5 (1.713)	79.6 (3.134)	75.3 (2.965)	100.0 (3.937)	125.7 (4.949)	138.4 (5.449)	92.1 (3.626)	155.6 (6.126)	101.9 (4.012)	54.9 (2.161)	28.1 (1.106)	1,031 (40.59)
Snowfall cm (inches)	28 (11)	24 (9.4)	17 (6.7)	1 (0.4)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	9 (3.5)	79 (31.1)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm)	6.0	6.6	9.6	9.1	9.7	11.1	13.1	9.7	11.2	9.0	6.3	5.4	106.8
Avg. snowy days	11.2	9.8	4.9	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	3.7	30.1
Sunshine hours	170.7	163.5	185.0	202.1	209.0	163.6	171.3	205.4	141.8	159.9	159.2	166.0	2,097.5
Source no. 1: Japan Meteorological Agency[1]
Source no. 2: Japan Meteorological Agency (records)[2]

History

Meiji Era

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

Taishō Era

• February 1, 1925-The city absorbed the village of Matsumoto from Higashichikuma District.

Shōwa Era

• April 1, 1943-The city absorbed the Kanda area in the village of Nakayama from Higashichikuma District.
• April 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Nakayama, Shimadachi, and Shimauchi (all from Higashichikuma District).
• August 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Wada, Niimura, Kanbayashi, Sasaga, Yoshikawa, Kotobuki, Okada, Iriyamabe, Satoyamabe, and Imai (all from Higashichikuma District).
• April 1, 1960-The city acquired the Kitauchida ward-excluding Gakenoyu area from village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma District from the city of Shiojiri.
• April 1, 1961-The city acquired the Gakenoyu area-Minamiuchida ward in the village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma District from the city of Shiojiri.
• May 1, 1974-The city absorbed the village of Hongo from Higashichikuma District.
• April 1, 1982-The city acquired parts of Seba area (Kukohigashi) from the city of Shiojiri.

Heisei Era

• Between the days of June 27 and June 28, 1994 - The Matsumoto Incident sarin gas attack occurred.
• November 1, 2000-Matsumoto became a Special City.
• January 2002-Matsumoto City Hall gained ISO 14001 rights.
• April 1, 2005-The city merged with the villages of Azumi, Nagawa, Azusagawa from Minamiazumi District, and the village of Shiga from Higashichikuma District 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 Hata from Higashichikuma District merged into the city of Matsumoto.

Sister cities

Within Japan

• Fujisawa (Kanagawa Prefecture)
  • Signed on July 29, 1961
• Himeji (Hyōgo Prefecture)
  • Signed on November 17, 1966
• Takayama, Gifu (Gifu Prefecture)
  • Signed on November 1, 1971

Overseas

• Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Signed in 1958

• Kathmandu, Nepal

Signed on November 17, 1989

• Langfang (Hebei province, China) 河北省廊坊市

Signed on March 21, 1995 as a friendship city

• Grindelwald, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

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

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 Museum

Kaichi School is the first junior high school in Japan. The beautiful appearance of Kaichi School is much acclaimed.

• Asama Onsen
• Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto

Complete list of the municipal timeline per former towns and villages

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 District.
• April 1, 1943-The city absorbed the Kanda area in the village of Nakayama from Higashichikuma District.
• April 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Nakayama, Shimadachi, and Shimauchi (all from Higashichikuma District).
• August 1, 1954-The city absorbed the villages of Wada, Niimura, Kanbayashi, Sasaga, Yoshikawa, Kotobuki, Okada, Iriyamabe, Satoyamabe, and Imai (all from Higashichikuma District).
• April 1, 1960-The city acquired the Kitauchida ward-excluding Gakenoyu area from village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma District from the city of Shiojiri.
• April 1, 1961-The city acquired the Gakenoyu area-Minamiuchida ward in the village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma District from the city of Shiojiri.
• May 1, 1974-The city absorbed the village of Hongo from Higashichikuma District.
• April 1, 1982-The city acquired parts of Seba area (Kukohigashi) from the city of Shiojiri.
• April 1, 2005-The city absorbed the villages of Azumi, Nagawa, Azusagawa from Minamiazumi District, and the village of Shiga from Higashichikuma District.
• March 31, 2010- The town of Hata from Higashichikuma District merged into the city of Matsumoto.

References

1. ^ "平年値（年・月ごとの値）". Japan Meteorological Agency. http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=48&prec_ch=%92%B7%96%EC%8C%A7&block_no=47618&block_ch=%8F%BC%96%7B&year=&month=&day=&elm=normal&view=. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
2. ^ "観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）". Japan Meteorological Agency. http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=48&prec_ch=%92%B7%96%EC%8C%A7&block_no=47618&block_ch=%8F%BC%96%7B&year=&month=&day=&elm=rank&view=. Retrieved 2011-11-18. 

External links

Media related to Matsumoto, Nagano at Wikimedia Commons

• Matsumoto official website(Japanese)(English)
• Matsumoto official tourist information website(Japanese)(English)(Chinese)(Korean)(Russian)
• Wikitravel: Matsumoto