{"id":17757,"date":"2017-12-26T14:02:56","date_gmt":"2017-12-26T05:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp\/modules\/xpressme\/?p=17757"},"modified":"2018-03-20T09:57:29","modified_gmt":"2018-03-20T00:57:29","slug":"new-years-decorations-and-preparations-in-matsumoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.visitmatsumoto.com\/en\/shopping\/new-years-decorations-and-preparations-in-matsumoto\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year’s Decorations and Preparations in Matsumoto"},"content":{"rendered":"

Places around Matsumoto have started adorning themselves with the traditional Japanese decorations for New Year’s! If you go to Matsumoto Castle or major shrines like Yohashira Shrine, you’ll find impressive kadomatsu<\/em> set up at the castle gates and in front of the shrine \u2014 the ones at Matsumoto Castle are especially huge! <\/p>\n

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Kadomatsu at the gates of Matsumoto Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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An up-close look at one of Matsumoto Castle’s kadomatsu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kadomatsu<\/em> are usually constructed out of cut bamboo, pine branches, and sometimes other plants or ornaments, and almost look like giant flower arrangements. They come in many different styles, so it’s fun to walk around and see all the varieties (check out some of the photos below too!). You will find them set up in pairs in front of houses, businesses, and shrines from late December to early January. Kadomatsu<\/em> are thought of as a kind of “temporary housing” for the gods during the New Year’s holidays and therefore bring in good fortune for the New Year. <\/p>\n

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Kadomatsu at Yohashira Shrine by Nawate Street<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A closer look at the kadomatsu at Yohashira Shrine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Kadomatsu in front of a business in downtown Matsumoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\"DSCF4933\"\n

Besides kadomatsu, there are many other kinds of New Year’s decorations which, depending on the type, may be hung above doorways, on doors, on gate posts, or simply set up on a shelf. Along the main street in downtown Matsumoto, the Christmas lights have been replaced with special New Year made of pine branches and bundles of rice attached to each of the light posts.
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Decorations along the main street<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

If you’re in decorating your own house Japanese style this New Year’s, go check out the New Year’s decoration market going on now until December 30 on Nawate Street right in front of Yohashira Shrine (Google map<\/a>)! The vendors have a big selection of decorations (including both big and mini kadomatsu<\/em>!) that, if nothing else, are fun to look and get a feel for the festive spirit of the Japanese New Year \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

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New Year's decorations lined up on one of the market tables.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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One of the New Year’s decoration vendors in front of Yohashira Shrine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of the stands are selling daruma<\/em> dolls of all colors and sizes, too! Daruma are often bought around the New Year, as they represent a wish, goal, or resolution you want to accomplish during the next year (you can read more about daruma<\/a> on wikipedia).
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A daruma seller at Yohashira Shrine<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

And, some of the sellers are quite festive all by themselves!
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Photo credit: from our Japanese blog writer Yamamoto. See their article here<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Enjoy the New Year!!<\/p>\n