Matsumoto, Nagano

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Matsumoto**
**松本市**
Matsumoto's location in Nagano, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Nagano
Physical characteristics
Area	919.35 km² (354.96 sq mi)
Population (as of July 1, 2006)
Total	227,579
Location	36°14′N 137°58′E / 36.233, 137.967Coordinates: 36°14′N 137°58′E / 36.233, 137.967
Symbols
Tree	Japanese Red Pine
Flower	Japanese azalea
Flag
Matsumoto Government Office
Mayor	Akira Sugenoya
Address	〒390-8620 3-7 Marunouchi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken
Phone number	0263-34-3000
Official 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.

1 Outline
2 Geography
- 2.1 Surrounding Municipalities
- 2.2 The former city of Matsumoto
3 History
4 Sister Cities
- 4.1 Within Japan
- 4.2 Overseas
5 Tourist Attractions
6 Complete list of the municipal timeline per former towns and villages
- 6.1 Former city of Matsumoto
7 External links

[edit] 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, just outside the train station, at night.

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, Saitou Kinen Orchestra (Saitou commemorative orchestra) performs every year from summer to autumn and many famous musicians such as Seiji Ozawa come to play. It is very difficult to get tickets: Many people wait in line two days before tickets go on sale.

Matsumoto, like many areas in Japan, is home to abundant onsen (温泉 or hot springs).

Matsumoto Castle

Four Pillars Shrine

Kaichi School

[edit] Geography

[edit] Surrounding Municipalities

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] History

[edit] Meiji Era

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

[edit] Taishō Era

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

[edit] 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, Koorishin, Kamibayashi, Sasaga, Yoshikawa, Saiwai, Okada, Iriyamabe, Satoyamabe, and Imai (all from Higashichikuma District).
April 1, 1960-The city acquired the Kitauchida ward-excluding Ketsunoyuchibako area from village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma District from the city of Shiojiri.
April 1, 1961-The city acquired the Ketsunoyubachiko area-Kitauchida 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 Araiba area (Kukohigashi) from the city of Shiojiri.

[edit] Heisei Era

Between the days of June 27 and June 28, 1994-The Matsumoto Incident 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)

[edit] Sister Cities

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.)

[edit] 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

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

Asama Onsen

[edit] Complete list of the municipal timeline per former towns and villages

[edit] 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, Koorishin, Kamibayashi, Sasaga, Yoshikawa, Saiwai, Okada, Iriyamabe, Satoyamabe, and Imai (all from Higashichikuma District).
April 1, 1960-The city acquired the Kitauchida ward-excluding Ketsunoyuchibako area from village of Kataoka in Higashichikuma District from the city of Shiojiri.
April 1, 1961-The city acquired the Ketsunoyubachiko area-Kitauchida 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 Araiba 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.