Trip reports
Matsuda Town - Discovering Serenity in Nature
Matsuda Town is located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, belonging to the Ashigara Kamigun district. Despite being just an hour's drive from Tokyo, here you can experience dancing fireflies in the summer and the pure beauty of nature. Rolling mountains and clear, transparent streams complement each other, offering a nostalgic and tranquil landscape where your soul can find moments of peace and relaxation.
Rice Ball Tasting at "Musubiya Zen"
Located next to Matsuda Station, "Musubiya Zen" is a small shop renowned for its rice balls made from carefully selected ingredients. Each rice ball is crafted with premium rice and fresh ingredients to ensure every guest experiences the taste of freshness. Among the tourists’ favorite flavors are salmon, cod roe, and tuna with egg yolk sauce. The salmon rice ball offers a delightful experience with its tender, melt-in-your-mouth grilled salmon and subtle salty flavor. The cod roe rice ball delights with its delicate texture and the sweet freshness of seafood. Another popular choice is the tuna with egg yolk sauce, blending the rich creamy taste of tuna with egg yolk, showcasing the perfect fusion of Japanese ingredients and culinary skill.
Additionally, "Musubiya Zen" offers various bento boxes and miso soup, catering to your exploration and enjoyment of traditional Japanese cuisine. Whether as a delicious lunch option or a snack companion during your journey, it provides a dual delight of taste and visual appeal.
Matsudayama Herb Garden
Located within Nishihirabatake Park, Matsudayama Herb Garden is a 15-minute walk from Matsuda Station, an ideal place for people to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the beauty of nature.
The garden is home to a variety of plants from around the world, where you can stroll and admire tranquil and beautiful garden landscapes and experience the healing power of nature. Situated at a higher altitude, the garden offers magnificent views of Sagami Bay and distant Mount Fuji, especially breathtaking on clear days, making it a sought-after photography spot for enthusiasts.
The garden features a comfortable resting area serving a variety of beverages and snacks, including delicious dishes made from local specialty deer meat. The restaurant on the first floor allows you to enjoy meals while admiring the beautiful scenery. During special events such as fireworks festivals, the second floor seats are open, providing the best viewing spots to enjoy both the splendid fireworks and delicious food.
Matsudayama Herb Garden hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Cherry Blossom Festival in spring, attracting many visitors to experience the charm of Japanese traditional culture and nature.
Matsudayama Herb Garden
Nakazawa Sake Brewery
Just a five-minute walk from Shin-Matsuda Station, Nakazawa Sake Brewery, founded in the eighth year of Bunsei (1825), uses locally produced Ashigara rice and traditional handmade brewing techniques to produce top-quality Japanese sake in the Ashigara region, becoming a brewing treasure of the region.
Nakazawa Sake Brewery has always adhered to traditional brewing techniques, from koji-making to pressing in old wooden sake vats. Each step reflects the dedication and exquisite skills of the brewers. They uphold the philosophy of "modesty without pride, not following the crowd," ensuring each bottle of sake carries the taste of time and tradition.
Nakazawa Sake Brewery is not only an important brewery in the Matsuda Town area but also a merchant appointed by the Odawara Domain, presenting fine sake to the domain lord, the Okubo family, and hence gaining the prestigious name "Matsumidori." Due to the use of traditional handmade brewing techniques, Nakazawa Sake Brewery produces only about 30,000 bottles of sake annually. These sake products are not only well-known locally but also beloved and admired by sake enthusiasts from both domestic and international origins.
Here, you can reserve a ¥1,000-tour of Nakazawa Sake Brewery, understanding every detail of the brewing process. The tour fee includes ¥500 for tasting, allowing you to experience the unique flavors and brewing techniques of various Japanese sake. It is not just a place to enjoy sake but also a perfect blend of history and tradition. We recommend that you taste the recently released "S.tokyo PETILLANT," which offers a refreshing hint of sweetness.
Through its centuries-old brewing art, Nakazawa Sake Brewery showcases the profound heritage and exquisite skills of Japanese sake culture, making it an excellent choice for understanding and savoring Japanese sake.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, embrace the natural tranquility of Matsuda Town, and allow your soul to relax completely in the embrace of nature. Whether seeking serenity away from the city or exploring the beauty of nature, Matsuda Town is your ideal travel destination.
