Matsumoto is located in the Matsumoto Basin of central Nagano Prefecture surrounded by mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful views. It is approximately 75 kilometers south of the prefectural capital at Nagano City, and 124 kilometers from central Tokyo. The 3000 meter Hida Mountains are to the west of the city, with 3190 meter Mount Hotakadakeon the border of Matsumoto with Takayama, Gifu as the highest point within the city limits.
Surrounding municipalities
Nagano Prefecture
*Shiojiri
*Azumino
*Yamagata
*Asahi
*Ōmachi
*Chikuhoku
*Ueda
*Nagawa
*Aoki
*Shimosuwa
*Kiso-mura
*Kiso-machi
Gifu Prefecture
*Takayama
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Matsumoto has been increasing over the past 40 years.
Climate
Matsumoto has a humid continental climate bordering on a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is quite high in summer, but the weather is somewhat drier in winter. The average annual temperature in Matsumoto is 11.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1982 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around -0.5 °C.
History
Matsumoto is located in former Shinano Province and was the provincial capital from the Heian period onwards. The area developed as the castle town of Matsumoto Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate of the Edo period. Modern Matsumoto Town was established with the creation of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to city status on May 1, 1907. On February 1, 1925 Matsumoto absorbed the village of Matsumoto. The city expanded further by annexing the Kanda hamlet of the village of Nakayama from Higashichikuma District on April 1, 1943, the villages of Nakayama, Shimadachi and Shimauchi on April 1, 1954, the villages of Wada, Niimura, Kanbayashi, Sasaga, Yoshikawa, Kotobuki, Okada, Iriyamabe, Satoyamabe and Imai on August 1, 1954 and Kitauchida ward from the city of Shiojiri on April 1, 1960. This was followed by the Gakenoyu hamlet of Minamiuchida ward of the village of Kataoka from the city of Shiojiri on April 1, 1961, the village of Hongo on May 1, 1974 and parts of Seba hamlet from the city of Shiojiri on April 1, 1982. Between the days of June 27 and June 28, 1994, the Matsumoto Incidentsarin gas attack occurred. Matsumoto was proclaimed a Special City with increased local autonomy on November 1, 2000. Matsumoto annexed the villages of Azumi, Azusagawa and Nagawa, and the village of Shiga on April 1, 2005. This was followed by the town of Hata on March 31, 2010.
Matsumoto is a regional commercial center and noted for traditional woodworking and silk spinning, electronics and its dairy industry. Seasonal tourism to the surrounding mountains and onsen hot spring resorts is also an important source of local income.
Education
Universities and colleges
Shinshu University
Matsumoto University
Matsusho Gakuen Junior College
Matsumoto Junior College
Primary and secondary education
Matsumoto has 29 public elementary schools operated by the city government, one operated by the national government and one private elementary school. The city also manages 19 public middle schools, with one more middle school shared between Matsumoto and neighbouring Asahi. There is one public middle school operated by the national government and one private middle school. The city has seven public high schools operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education and six private high schools. The city also has a North Korean school, Nagano Korean Elementary and Junior High School.
Matsumoto is attractive to travellers not only because of the traditional culture but also its calm climate and local products. Matsumoto soba is famous for its delicate taste. Local attractions include:
Matsumoto Castle, built more than 400 years ago. It is a Japanese National Treasure
Kaichi School Museum, Meiji period building housing the first middle school in Japan
The Kiso Valley, a valley located Southwest of Matsumoto along which the historic Nakasendo route of the Edo period went through.
Outside the rail station is also a statue of a little girl with a violin, remembering the Suzuki method of teaching music, created by Shinichi Suzuki who lived in the city in his later life.
