{"id":270007,"date":"2019-07-10T09:06:40","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T00:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitmatsumoto.com\/?p=270007"},"modified":"2019-10-14T11:10:04","modified_gmt":"2019-10-14T02:10:04","slug":"summertime-in-matsumoto-festivals-big-small","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.visitmatsumoto.com\/en\/events\/summertime-in-matsumoto-festivals-big-small\/","title":{"rendered":"Summertime in Matsumoto – Festivals Big & Small"},"content":{"rendered":"\"\"\n

Once in a while in the course of my travels I\u2019ll stumble upon a local festival. Abroad it has happened in Germany, in Peru and in Malaysia. Here in Japan it\u2019s happened in Hokkaido, in Honshu and in Kyushu. This month, if you\u2019re in Matsumoto, it just might happen to you.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

It\u2019s no secret that all throughout Japan, summertime means festival time. And Matsumoto is no exception to this rule. Coming up soon is the 32nd<\/sup> Annual Taiko Festival, taking place as always in Matsumoto Castle\u2019s \u2018Honmaru\u2019 Inner Garden. Entry is free, the performances are beyond amazing, and you can catch it on Saturday July 27th<\/sup> or Sunday the 28th<\/sup> \u2013 or both! The drumming starts at 5:40 and goes until 9:00. (Garden gates open at 4:40pm. Go early to snag a good seat!)<\/p>\n\"\"\n

There are also performances in front of Matsumoto Station from 1:30 to 3:00 and in the old Ote-mon Gate square (near Yohashira Shrine and Nawate \u2018Frog\u2019 Street) from 2:00 to 3:45. There at the square you might also be able to try your own hand at banging on the big drum, so swing on by!<\/p>\n\"\"\n

What might be Matsumoto\u2019s single biggest festival of the year is also on the way. The mesmerizing Matsumoto BonBon Dance happens the first Saturday of August, and is an experience you\u2019ll never forget. For five hours starting at 5pm over two hundred groups take over the streets of downtown, dancing and singing and luring passersby into the frenzy. You pretty much have to see it to believe it. (Wear comfortable shoes. Trust me.)<\/p>\n\"\"\n

And while you can show up anytime and start taking in the vibe, the party goes full-throttle right from the get-go. From under the late afternoon sun into the shadows of dusk and on into the dark of night the festival just keeps rolling. For some people, five hours still just isn\u2019t enough. So if you\u2019re going, go early! There will be lots of food and drink to go along with the fun.<\/p>\n

These events, however spectacular, do lack that one thing that makes certain summertime festivals in Japan so magical for the accidental onlooker: the magic of that spontaneous, intimate experience. This is what I was reminded of yesterday as I passed by Matsumoto Shrine.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

There was nothing happening, actually. But everything was in place. Lanterns were strung along the perimeter of the shrine grounds…<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Extra adornments hung from the torii gates and the trees and the shrine itself…<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Banners were flying. Here and there a few floodlights were in place. And all over were the bright colors of the tents where children \u2013 and plenty of adults too \u2013 will be fishing for goldfish and gunning for prizes and getting their fill of yakisoba and cotton candy and a dozen other flavors of festival tradition.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

I\u2019ll get down there if I can, either Wednesday evening or Thursday, to take it all in: the sights, the sounds, and yes, the smells. But I\u2019ll also be going down to try once again to feel what it\u2019s like to stumble upon a local Japanese festival.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Of course, I know now when it\u2019s happening. And if you\u2019re reading this, so do you. Still, if you find yourself down near the castle this evening or sometime tomorrow, take a stroll over to the north side of the castle grounds and find your way to the Matsumoto Shrine festival.<\/p>\n

And see the magic for yourself.<\/p>\n

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Matsumoto Shrine Festival Evening Matsuri – July 10 Main Matsuri – July 11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n