If you happen to be in Matsumoto during this unique Frog Festival, definitely hop by even if just for a little while to join in the festive spirit. Bring your family, friends, or just yourself and enjoy the music, food, and atmosphere. You may even catch a cat engaging in some hardcore frog cosplay.
Event Report
I visited Matsumoto out of sheer convenience en route to another destination. But, the moment I walked out of the hostel to hunt for a restaurant, I knew my stay in this city would be too short. However, I was incredibly lucky to have been in Matsumoto during the final day of their annual two-day Frog Festival.
Not even ten seconds had passed since I left my accommodation and the city had already become my muse and inspiration. Perhaps it was the setting sun teasing out of the purple in the sky, or the river guiding me across the city that made me fall head over heels for Matsumoto. Every few steps, the city had some element that demanded to be captured with a camera. The sound of beating drums and singing was what drew me to Nawate Street by the riverside, where a group of performers dressed in colorful patterned clothing were dancing to the rhythmic music. Welcome to Matsumoto’s Frog Festival!
Despite a light drizzle, the performers drew a large crowd of families with children, locals, and tourists that clapped along to the beat and actively participated in chanting to the music. The performers wore many brilliantly patterned clothing decorated with stripes and circles, forming a kaleidoscope of purples, greens, reds, and blues that celebrate the vibrant colors of frogs. Drummers were gathered underneath tents behind the performers, drumming to upbeat rhythms in unison while the lead drummer sang out the melody. The performers entertained throughout the day, and eventually paraded through Nawate Street as a finale, all the while drumming, singing, dancing, and thanking everyone for attending the festival.
Nawate Street itself was also in a festive spirit, and as expected, frogs were the major motif. Artists set up individual stalls in a similar fashion as Sunday markets, selling frog postcards, pins and badges, stickers, jewelry, paintings, and other handicraft products. Further into Nawate Street were restaurants as well as food vendors selling taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry snack with varying flavors of cream filling, takoyaki, fried foods, kebabs, fried noodles, and many others. The street was also lined with shops on either side selling arts and crafts, ceramics, bags, clothing, and shoes.
