Research

Subject: the awesomeness of Matsumoto

Setting: 3 Belgians in Matsumoto

Method: personal evaluation of some sayings about Matsumoto

Beautiful scenery: I always wine about the mountains and how beautiful they look. Everytime I go to Matsumoto I tell people I fell in love with the mountains… But someone took Belgian weather with him. No scenery in sight, only grey clouds and a lot of rain.
Conclusion: No beautiful scenery.

Warm-hearted and generous people: a long time ago we had a small onsen where we occasionally went. I remembered it as a nice place with friendly grandpa’s. But I forgot you needed to bring your own soap and shampoo, and that you get stared at (probably thanks to some huge package, muhahaha).
Conclusion: No warm-hearted and generous people

People with their feet on the ground: … we took a taxi for 50 meters … and asked the dude to wait…
We ate and drank a yakiniku restaurant chain out of business…
Little girls with great sausages on every corner…
Conclusion: decadence everywhere

Lively events: admittedly, it was quite late, but still, two people swaying like jellyfish on the dance floor is a bit sad…
Conclusion: no lively events

People don’t mind foreigners: We received a bunch of cup noodles at 2 o’clock while sitting in the McDonald, just because we said ‘hi’… someone unknown person took a picture of us three while eating in the McDonalds for no good reason…
Conclusion: you get looked at as a foreigner

Truly, if you do not adore this city…


I was in Matsumoto because David was in Japan, and him, Wim and me thought it'd be nice to relive a bit of the old days. But I've also been there a night alone, and I have to say, I adore that place. Walking alone in the city I know so well, the mountains, the streets, the weather, the people, the atmosphere...
I might never live there again, but I sure like to hope so so.