Dear Matsumoto fans,
How are you?

We are getting close to spring, and from April the city will officially take on its role as “Culture City of East Asia” (CCEA) for one year.
We are looking at one exciting year ahead.

The other day, I paid a visit at a relatively new facility in town: the Matsumoto City Museum (open since fall 2023).
This museum is on the way to the castle, and a good introduction to the wonders of the city.

It hosts two exhibitions: a permanent exhibition and a special exhibition.

The permanent exhibition is a journey through the history of Matsumoto City, divided into 8 main topics of reflection:

A Town with a Castle
A Bustling Main Road
The Opened Basin
Mountains with Us
Conveying Feelings
The Power to Live
A Changing Society
Relaying and Connecting

I found that there are three special aspects about this museum:

It combines tradition and reflection

The museum combines detailed storytelling, sharing facts and traditions of the city and its history, while asking difficult questions about the future, to encourage reflection.
This can inspire a broad audience. A visitor can learn about the city in depth, a local can reflect deeply on topics that concern life in the city. For example, what is the future of a city with a castle? While the city used to have bigger density, now most people choose the suburb and the area near the castle is no longer as crowded. What will happen to the city?
The exhibition mentiones the voluntary groups active to keep the wells who bring water to the city clean, and the expresses its appreciation to the people that devoted their efforts to the preservation of nature, hot springs, and clean waters.

Interesting facts and everyday stories from long ago

While you follow the itinerary through the eight topics of the museum, you will be able to read facts about traditions of the city. You can learn about the life of Samurai, mountains and the near Kamikochi area, and aspects about the famous Candy Market festival. For example, did you know that salt was sold in the festival? The belief was that if you added salt to rice porridge it would keep hazards away.

A 3D Experience

From the old townspeople cardboards, to the “well of reflection” (a special space to rest, gather and talk about the city), the museum will amuse grown-ups and children.

In particular, the wonderful diorama of the city, built around the castle is a spectacular miniature of old Matsumoto. You will find it right at the entrance, however I recommend leaving it for the end, so you can enjoy observing it from all angles.

I would recommend paying a visit as soon as you arrive: the things you learn through this exhibition will enrich your experience in Matsumoto by allowing you to enjoy the city with knowledge and awareness!

If you go:Matsumoto City Museum
5 min on foot ca. from Matsumoto Castle
3-2-21 Ote, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano 390-0874
The exhibition is open until 17:00
The entrance fee is 500 yen for adults and 250 for students.