Summer in Japan is hot. A time to be outdoors and with your community to drink, eat and dance the nights away. Positioned below the mountains in the cold center of Japan, Matsumoto is known for its frigid winter, a season in which residents dream of the warmth of summer and the festivals to come. Let us too look ahead now to what’s on offer this summer in Matsumoto…
Matsumoto Bon Bon Festival
Taking place on the first Saturday of August for the past fifty years, “Matsumoto Bon-Bon Festival" is the city’s most celebrated event. First held in 1975, the festival sees over two hundred groups come together to dance through the streets. Groups are comprised of community organizations, local schools and companies with each group wearing matching attire – typically colorful “yukata” (light kimono) - to distinguish themselves from others, while carrying “uchiwa” (paper fans) they use as part of their choreographed dances.
Matsumoto Bon Bon Festival
The festival takes its name from the old custom of girls parading through the streets, in their colorful yukata while carrying glowing lamps during summer’s Obon Period. That custom is known locally as “Bon Bon” and today, as they dance and move their way through the city streets, groups of dancers sing out “Bon Bon Matsumoto Bon Bon Bon”. It’s an infectious catch cry and one that encourage onlookers to join in and enjoy the festival as one.
One of May Summer Festivals!
While Matsumoto Bon Bon is the largest and best-known festival in the city, it is in fact one of many! Each district of Matsumoto holds it’s on festival during summer, typically focused around a local shrine, temple or park. They are easy to spot as community members will also wear colorful yukata and kimono while food vendors are setup to serve typical festival staples including yakisoba, takoyaki, grilled squid, caramelized apples and more! Beer and sake flow and for the children, traditional festival games including goldfish catching are always popular. Fireworks will invariably take place at some stage too!
Two such festivals take place at Sawamura Park and Okonomiya Shrine each summer, and while local, anyone is welcome to join. Indeed, if you’re visiting Matsumoto from abroad you are certain to receive a very warm welcome.
Shinshu Wine Summit & Craft Beer Festival
Summer celebrations continue in Matsumoto with the Shinshu Wine Summit and Craft Beer Festival. Taking place from late-June until the start of July, the Shinshu Wine Summit showcases wines from local vineyards, matching local food and live music. Taking place in Hanatokei Park adjacent Parco department store, the summit is less than a five minute walk from Matsumoto Station.
Shinshu Wine Summit Festival
The Craft Beer Festival takes place in September and as such, is the last big event held in Matsumoto each summer. You’ll find lots of craft breweries pouring their best beers – including local breweries and those from elsewhere in Japan – with plenty of excellent food also on offer in the cooling evenings of late-summer. The festival is held next to castle so very easy to find.
Matsumoto Craft Beer Festival
Want to Enjoy Summer in Matsumoto on a Local Tour?
Join us on a walking tour as one of our local guides accompanies you around Matsumoto, starting from Matsumoto Castle and moving into the historic streets of Nawate-dori and Nakamachi. Always keen to show off their city, our guides ensure you have a great time while exploring Matsumoto in summer!
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