The city of Matsumoto is the second largest in Nagano and is where the 1998 Winter Olympic Games were held. It is surrounded by mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful views, its soba and wasabi, as well as Matsumotojo, one of Japan’s most beautiful ancient castles.
In the summers it is the home of the Kinen Festival, hosted every year by the world famous orchestral conductor Seiji Ozawa. Matsumoto also plays an important role as the commercial and business capital of the region. The city specialises in the production of precision machinery and produces rice, apples, tomatoes, grapes, celery and lettuce. The computer software industry also helps to support the local economy.
Venue: Matsumoto City Gymnasium
Matsumoto City Gymnasium opened in August 1981 and has played host to many international sports and cultural events. It was one of the venues for the 2007 FIVB Men’s World Cup and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in 2010. The venue is notable for its impressive structure – “To the Sky” – that dominates its plaza.
