Matsumoto, Nagano

 Matsumoto (松本市 Matsumoto-shi) is a city located in Nagano Perfecture, Japan Nagano. 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).

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

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