Category Archives: Matsumoto

Nagano in a Nutshell: N,S,E,W,Central

photos and text by Whitney Conti Nagano is the kind of inaka which attracts famed artists, first class alpinists, and a rich culture based around local food and unique landscape. However, the prefecture’s English tourism information is limited and often … Continue reading

Posted in Azumino, Hakuba, Japan Travel, Kamikochi, Kiso, Matsumoto, Nagano, Nagano City | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ganesh Belgium Beer Bar, Matsumoto

Ganesh is known amongst foreigners as Matsumoto cities’ micro-brew and international beer headquarters because the small, normal seeming bar has a uniquely diverse and international menu. In typical Japanese bar fashion, Ganesh’s import beers run a bit steep at 1,000yen … Continue reading

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Gen Macrobiotic Kitchen Matsumoto

Matsumoto finally has an organically minded, vegetarian option thanks to the two month old Gen Macrobiotic Kitchen. Not that every city mandates local and organic cuisine options (though it should) but the absence of a local vegetarian based restaurant in … Continue reading

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Eonta jazz et booze Matsumoto Jazz Bar

by Whitney Conti Eonta is the kind of jazz bar that intentionally plays its music at a volume just louder than comfortable conversation. Anyone, regardless of jazz interest, can enjoy the throwback style and shoebox size of Eonta, but the … Continue reading

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Tori Shin YakiTori, Matsumoto

If you live in Matsumoto city you’ve probably heard of the yakitori bar Tori Shin. Getting to the local favorite, however, isn’t as easy. The grilled chicken den is only a three minute walk from JR Matsumoto station but spontaneously … Continue reading

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Sunny Place Café, Matsumoto

Sunny place café’s style and clientele can largely be described as a spillover from Matsumoto’s neighboring high end fashion mall PARCO. Sunny place’s owner says that his clientele is mostly women between the ages of 18 and 23 and their … Continue reading

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Matsumoto City’s Gourmet Cheese Shop & Restaurant

by Whitney Conti Gellee Blanche cheese shop and restaurant displays Camembert boxes like most restaurants would show off wine bottles. Dozens of Camembert wheels line the walls above European trinkets and the French certificates of cheese connoisseur and owner Shomoda … Continue reading

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Bakeries and Cafes

Matsumoto Sweets. Since 1913. Matsumoto. Hours: 9:00-18:00. Everyday. Tel. 0263-32-5300. Above and beyond the standard array of delicious baked goods, sweets uniquely offers hot pressed reuben sandwiches, bread bowl soups, and a 1930s wood polished indoor seating and outdoor patio … Continue reading

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Going organic in Nagano

Nagano prefecture may be considered the “inaka” which literally translates as rural but it’s mountains and quiet attract the hip and trendy of the young organic, local movement bustling in Tokyo and thriving in our ken. A lot of the … Continue reading

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Yama Picks: Best Burgers in Nagano

Burgers U2 Burger. Matsumoto City. Double stacked, chicken pattied, spam packed, avocado topped, teriyaki sauced, bacon layered… U2 burger features 24 different burger variations/toppings. For the adventurous and triple stomached, you can even get the preposterously large “big monster” burger. … Continue reading

Posted in 2 Food. Dec. Jan. 09-10, Azumino, Burgers, Matsumoto | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment