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Wilson Rossi
Mie-ken Diversity Suishin-ka (Mie Diversity Promotion Division)

Hi everyone! Thank you for watching MieInfo. In this video, we will introduce the charms of Matsusaka City, where traditional and modern culture are combined.

First, we will start by introducing the traditional side. We went to the Okaderasan Keishoji, which is located in the center of the city. Today is the 13th year of the “Matsusaka Nadeshiko Donna Hana Matsuri”.

In order to know the charms of Matsusaka, we spoke with Higashimura, a member of Miss Network Matsusaka, the sponsors of this festival.

Higashimura Yoshiko – Utsukushiya Higashimura Gofuku-ten

Q: Can you please tell us about the charm of Matsusaka.

A: What’s charming about Matsusaka is that there are still many old towns left which makes it a town reminiscent of a castle town. There are still stone walls in the castle, and the roads are intricate, like a maze, that makes it a fun city to have a stroll.

Q: Can you tell us about the Matsusaka Nadeshiko.

A: Matsusaka Nadeshiko is a type of flower in which the petals are long and sagging and was discovered during the Edo period. It was discovered by Tsugimatsu Eiji, member of the Kishu clan, and everyone has preserved it since then. It is conveyed to a temple called Hokyoji Temple in Kyoto by the Koukakutenno and has been carefully planted until now.

Q: Please tell me about Matsusaka Momen.

A: Matsusaka Momen is a blue textile with stripe patterns that is much adored by people from Edo period. At that time, when a Kabuki actor dons a striped kimono, it was like “wearing Matsusaka”. It was a very popular kimono at that time. I hope you have an opportunity to touch it.

Q: Please give a message to the foreigners.

A: The meat in Matsusaka are also delicious! We also have delicious tea! And there is also the Matsusaka Momen! A lot of traditions remain until now! Please come to Matsusaka and have a full experience! I look forward to seeing you!

Next, we went to the Kanko Koryu Center (Tourist Exchange Center), which was opened in April this year. Here, you can get tourist information of Matsusaka city in multiple languages.

We asked Mr. Takegawa, the managing director, what kind of facilities they have here.

Takegawa Yasuhisa – Managing Director, Matsusaka-shi Kankou Kyoukai

Q: What kind of facility is the Kanko Koryu Center (Tourism Exchange Center)?

A: The Tourism Exchange Center is in the middle of Matsusaka’s old atmosphere town. It is more interesting if you have a bit of information in your head as you walk around the city. Then there were opinions from tourists that there is no place to buy souvenirs (in Matsusaka city), so we sell souvenirs on the first floor. On the second floor, the tourists can have more information through panel displays or DVDs.

Q: Why is it called “Gosho no Machi Matsusaka”?

A: Matsusaka’s history, especially around the castle, is nearly 400 years old, but some of Japan’s leading merchants such as “Mitsukoshi” and “Mitsui Group” came from Matsusaka. Moreover, part of the establishment they lived is still in Matsusaka. Because of these reasons Matsusaka is named “Gosho no Machi” (Town of Merchants).

Q: Matsusaka’s gourmet is very famous. But, especially, what kind of products?

A: Matsusaka is a city of gourmet. Particularly famous are the beef, the Matsusaka-ushi. Besides that, Matsusaka pork and chicken are also becoming popular recently. In addition to that, Matsusaka is a place where the production of tea is very popular, so you can get delicious tea.

Q: Matsusaka City is where traditional culture lives, but could you please tell the recommended spots (walking routes)?

A: Matsusaka has many old buildings. They are concentrated around the tourism exchange center, so it’s nice if you walk around that area of the city. And if you extend your foot a little to the outskirts, you will find a beautiful tea plantation, and the forests and rivers are also very beautiful. If you want to know the history and culture, go to the central area. But, if you want to enjoy the natural, I recommend going to the surroundings. I think you will find what you are looking for.

Q: Please give a message to the foreigners.

A: I think that many people here will kindly help you. There may be a language barrier, but I think you can walk in the town of Matsusaka with some simple conversation. I would like to invite you to visit Matsusaka, look at the old buildings, eat good food, and I will be expecting you to come again (as a repeater).

Finally, we went to Matsuzaka-shi Sogo Undo Koen Skate Park. It is one of the largest skateboarding lanes in Japan, which was opened in April this year.

Interview with visitors

I’m from Fukui Prefecture. It’s a big and very clean park and it has a street section. I think it is a great park.

Q: What do you like about Skateboarding?

You can make many acquaintances and friends through skateboarding. Regardless of whether you are good or bad at it, you can still get along with everyone when skating. Skateboarding is a very enjoyable experience, so I recommend you try it if you have never done it before. And I think this park in of Mie-ken Matsusaka City is very big. I recommend people from outside the prefecture to come and visit.

It offers a variety of areas for beginners and advanced users to enjoy at different levels, as well as rentals for the necessary equipment, including skateboards. It is open on weekends and the opening hours are from 8:30am to 10pm. The admission fee is 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for high school and junior high school students, and elementary school students and below can enjoy it for free all day long. There are also trial sessions for beginners, so please come and enjoy skateboarding at Matsusaka.

So, what do you think of Matsusaka City? In this video, we saw some of the traditional and contemporary aspects of Matsusaka City. There are also many other interesting spots. Please visit Matsusaka City and experience its charm.

At the bottom of this page, you will find information on the places we have featured and links to the website, so please check it out.

MieInfo introduces various tourist destinations in Mie Prefecture. Please see the special feature “Mie wo Shiro” (Exploring Mie)

Okadera-san Keishou-ji (岡寺山継松寺)
Address: Mie-ken Matsusaka-shi Nakamachi 1952
Site: https://www.okadera.com/
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/V1rTV49unS2jWnVR8

Matsusaka Castle (松阪城)
Address: Mie-ken Matsusaka-shi Tonomachi
Site: https://www.city.matsusaka.mie.jp/site/kanko/matusakajogaiyou.html
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ra3jHe5n5oJiFe1v6

Kankou Kouryu Center (観光交流センター)
Address: Mie-ken Matsusaka-shi Uomachi 1658-3
Site: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/special/matsusaka-informationcenter/
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ARoJkD6yeLgaf7u89

Matsusaka-shi Sogo Undou Kouen Skate Park (松阪市総合運動公園スケートパーク)
Address: Mie-ken Matsusaka-shi Yamashitacho 1658-3
Site: https://www.city.matsusaka.mie.jp/soshiki/41/skate.html
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/wFiHACWh6qbv9KDA8