Crafts Fair Matsumoto
Agata no Mori Park : あがたの森公園
Browse Japan’s Premier Outdoor Arts & Crafts Fair.
Matsumoto/Northern Alps
Description
Household Art in the Park: Creative everyday items by 250 artisans from all over Japan, at Matsumoto''s Agata no Mori Park held annually the last week of May.
Recommendation
Ceramics, leatherwork, wood furniture, clothing, jewelry, and more ceramics, handmade by real artisans, sold by real artisans (around 280 actual artists -- no resellers!) in beautiful Agata no Mori Park in Matsumoto City. The Crafts Fair Matsumoto is held every year on the last weekend of May and is one of the biggest and most highly regarded arts & crafts fairs in Japan. \r\n\r\nSome of the works for sale are fun and whimsical, meant to be enjoyed for simply by looking at. But a lot of the artisans make items for everyday use. In Japan, people often have a particular pair of chopsticks, rice bowl, etc. that they use all the time. Thus there is a high appreciation for a well-crafted item that other people might just disregard as an ordinary, run-of-the-mill household necessity. At the Crafts Fair Matsumoto, people come to find meaningful items that fit their lives, with the added bonus of getting to actually meet the craftsmen behind the products.\r\nThe fair also has live music, craft-making demonstrations (some hands-on for guests to try), and food booths.
Details
- Hours
- 11:00-17:00 Saturday, 09:00-17:00 Sunday
- Date(s)
- Held the last weekend of May
- Cost / Price of Admission
- Entrance free.
- Time Required
- 1 hour ~ 1/2 day
- Reservations
- Not required
- Luggage Storage
- Not Available
Notes
Besides the official fair on the last weekend of May, Matsumoto City-based artisans hold events at their workshops and galleries during the entire month of May.
There is no parking at the event site so please take public transportation or walk.
Contact
tel : +81(0)263-34-6557fax : +81(0)263-34-6545Official site
Access / Location
- By Train
- From Matsumoto Station(JR Chuo Line), Head straight out on Route 143. Proceed straight from the station and the road will come to a "T" at Agata no Mori Park.\r\n(1.4km, 18 min. on foot)
- By Car
- From Matsumoto IC, Take Route 158 east into the city center. 158 becomes Route 143 -- follow it as it goes under the railroad tracks, turns right at Chuo 1-chome signal, and turns left in front of Matsumoto Station. Proceed straight from the station and the road will come to a "T" at Agata no Mori Park. (4.2km, 12 min.)
- Address
- 3-2102-4 Agata, Matsumoto 390-0812
Nearby Attractions
Sightseeing Spots
- Matsumoto City Museum of Art : Museum Featuring Works by Matsumoto's Favorite Daughter, World-Famous Yayoi Kusama.
- Nawate Dori (street) in Matsumoto City : Frog Street -- Matsumoto's Edo Era-themed Shopping Street
- Nakamachi Street in Matsumoto City : Matsumoto's Commercial Street with Distinctive Black & White Contrasting Storehouses
- Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure) : One of Japan's Finest Castles, With the Japanese Alps as a Backdrop
- Daio Wasabi Farm : Japan's Largest Wasabi Farm in the Pristine Waters of Azumino
Accommodation
- Matsumoto's Nunoya Ryokan : Wooden 3-Story Japanese Inn, located in Nakamachi, Matsumoto City
- Matsumoto's Ryokan (Hotel) Marumo : "Dozo" Storehouse-styled Inn Steeped in Matsumoto's Castle Town Ambience.
- Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu : Hotel with Japanese Accents in the Heart of Matsumoto.
- Candela Guest House in Matsumoto : Hideaway Located in a Remodeled Miso Warehouse 5 min from Matsumoto Castle.
- Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel : Hotel Located Steps from Matsumoto Castle in the City's Historical and Cultural Heart.
Restaurants
- Say (Soan Annex Zama) in Nakamachi : Soan's Location in Matsumoto's Historical Nakamachi District.
- Hikari-ya Nishi : Macrobiotic Fine French Dining in a Remodeled 120-Year Old Storehouse.
- Hikari-ya Higashi : Fine Japanese Dining in a Stylishly Remodeled 130-Year-Old Storehouse.
- Marumo : Folkcraft-themed Coffee Shop for Coffee Enthusiasts.
- Kurassic-kan : Coffee Shop in a Storehouse Built in 1888, With a Japanese Garden.
Activities
- Ishii Miso Factory : Matsumoto’s Famous Maker of Aged Miso
- Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival : Hear World-renowned Musicians from across the Globe Perform in Matsumoto.
- 'Temari' Handball Workshop : A Symbol of Matsumoto, Make a Temari Ball as a Momento of your Stay.
- Soba Noodle Making in Matsumoto : Make (then Eat!) Soba at this Premier Noodle Shop 2 Minutes from Matsumoto Castle.
- Kimono & Ninja Costume Rental Shop : Take a one-of-a-kind stroll in a kimono, ninja costume, or samurai armor through the castle town of Matsumoto!