{"id":16969,"date":"2017-10-24T10:00:51","date_gmt":"2017-10-24T01:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp\/modules\/xpressme\/?p=16969"},"modified":"2017-10-24T10:00:51","modified_gmt":"2017-10-24T01:00:51","slug":"notable-november-events-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.visitmatsumoto.com\/en\/culture-art\/notable-november-events-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Matsumoto Castle Festival Guide and Other Notable November Events (2017)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The biggest event in November is the Matsumoto Castle\/ Citizen’s Festival on the third that features all kinds of cultural treats! Check out individual events below. You can also bookmark your favorites on our Facebook events page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Castle Festival and Citizen’s Festival:<\/h2>\n

Boys and Girls Kendo and Naginata Competition<\/h3>\n

Students of kendo and naginata (a type of Japanese polearm\/bladed spear) show off their martial skills in the castle garden. Part of the Matsumoto Castle Festival.
\n

\"A
A kendo match in progress!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 3
\nTime:<\/strong> 9:00 a.m.\u20132:00 p.m.
\nLocation:<\/strong> Castle Honmaru Garden
\nFree admission into the garden<\/p>\n

Castle Autumn Tea Ceremony<\/h3>\n

Enjoy traditional matcha green tea among the fall colors right in the castle garden. Part of the Castle Festival.
\n

\"Relax
Relax with matcha and special Japanese sweets<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 3
\nTime:<\/strong> 10:00 a.m.\u20133:00 p.m.
\nLocation:<\/strong> Castle Honmaru Garden
\nCost:<\/strong> 500 yen per seat (includes matcha and a Japanese sweet). Free admission into the garden.<\/p>\n

Samurai Procession<\/h3>\n

A parade of samurai, ninja, and Japanese princesses and lords in downtown Matsumoto. Part of the Matsumoto Citizen’s Festival and the Castle Festival.
\n

\"Samurai
Samurai parading through the streets<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 3
\nTime:<\/strong> 12:00 p.m.\u20133:30 p.m.
\nLocation:<\/strong> Castle and Downtown <\/p>\n

Taiko Performance at Castle<\/h3>\n

Powerful taiko drum show at the castle, performed as the Samurai Procession departs toward downtown Matsumoto.
\n

\"Photo
Photo credit: Matsumoto Castle homepage<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 3
\nTime:<\/strong> Two performances, one at 12:00 p.m. and another at 3:00 p.m.
\nLocation:<\/strong> Castle Honmaru Garden<\/p>\n

Japanese Archery (Kyudo) Competition<\/h3>\n

Catch a glimpse of Japan’s longbow archery tradition. Part of the Castle Festival.
\n

\"Photo
Photo credit: Matsumoto Castle homepage<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Time:<\/strong> 8:50 a.m.\u20134:00 p.m.
\nLocation:<\/strong> Kyudo Dojo (map<\/a>)
\nCost:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n

More Events in November<\/h2>\n

“Twin Illumination: Secrets of the Seven Jewels” Light Display<\/h3>\n

Elaborate displays of lights set up in the Alps Azumino National Government Park. See a video from the park’s Facebook page here<\/a>.
\n

\"Twin
Twin Illuminations poster<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\n
\"Illumination
Illumination from a previous year (from Azumino’s tourism website)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 11, 2017 (Sat) through January 8, 2018 (Mon)
\nLocation:<\/strong> Alps Azumino National Government Park (15 min by taxi from JR Toyoshina Station)
\nCost:<\/strong> Adults – 410 yen, JHS and younger – 80 yen, Seniors: 210 yen<\/p>\n

Kamikochi Closing Ceremony<\/h3>\n

A ceremony that marks the last day of Kamikochi’s open season. Dress warm if you plan to go! (Also listed on the Kamikochi website here<\/a> with a photo)<\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 15
\nTime:<\/strong> St at 11:30 am
\nLocation:<\/strong> Kamikochi, Kappa Bridge<\/p>\n

Falconry Performance at Castle<\/h3>\n

Falconry has been a samurai tradition since the Edo Period (1603-1868). See it action at this live stage performance in the castle garden. Check out a photo on the bottom of the Autumn Events page<\/a> on the Castle website.<\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 19
\nTime:<\/strong> 10:30 a.m.\u201312:00 p.m.
\nLocation:<\/strong> Castle Honmaru Garden (Free admission into the garden)
\n*There will also be a free lecture (in Japanese) about falconry from 1:30\u20133:30 p.m. in the Ote Community <\/a> near the castle.<\/p>\n

Traditional Japanese Shamisen Music, Dances, and Songs and Culture Festival<\/h3>\n
\"Japanese
Japanese Title (Matsumoto Arts and Culture Festival)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

See performances by students of traditional Japanese including traditional songs sang along to shamisen music and dances performed in kimono. Songs are of two types: hauta<\/em> (\u5504, short songs that are a part of geisha culture) and nagauta<\/em> (\u9577\u5504, long songs). There will be several different songs and two different traditional dances. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see the classical culture of Japan!<\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong> November 19
\nTime:<\/strong> St at 1:00 p.m.
\nLocation:<\/strong> Matsumoto Performing Arts Center, Small Performance Hall (map<\/a>)
\nCost:<\/strong> Free!<\/p>\n