Shio no Michi “cyoujiya”& Yabusame Hall

In the olden days, you had to pass by Omachi to deliver salt and seafood from Itoigawa beside of Sea of Japan to downtown Matsumoto City. Because of this, Omachi is also known as Shio no Michi. Cyoujiya, a building in Shio no Michi that has been standing since the Edo Period until now, is a must-see for history buffs. You can learn about Takkyuubin, a parcel delivery service that utilized both manpower and cattle to transport goods inside. You can learn about the variety of equipments used, and the life and customs of the people who lived along the delivery route. Just next door to Cyoujiya, you can find Yabusame Hall, where you can learn about the local festival. At the end of every July, an archery troupe made up of ten young men riding horses march through the city. This unique festival celebrates “Yabusame,” the art of horseback archery. Cyoujiya also offers the opportunity to experience being a ninja yourself, join a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and Japanese sake tasting.