【If Matsu①】What should you do if you have an hour to spare at Matsudo Station? A. Visit the traditional Eisei-dou shop → Matsudo Shrine → Snack at the Edo River

How should one spend their time if they have an hour to spare at Matsudo Station?

“How many people use Matsudo Station each day? Upon researching:

• The daily average number of passengers at the Shin-Keisei Line’s Matsudo Station is about 82,080!
• For JR East’s Matsudo Station, it’s approximately 156,432!

It’s evident that a large number of people use JR East’s stations. But what should one do if they find themselves with extra time at Matsudo Station?

In ‘Moshi Matsu’, the author, a resident of Matsudo for over 30 years, introduces recommended ways to spend time when you have a spare hour at Matsudo Station.”

今回の過ごし方（1時間）

A traditional Japanese confectionery shop to experience the unique taste of Matsudo

Today, I’d like to introduce Eisei-dou Okamatsu, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop with a history of 104 years

Located just a 7-minute walk from the west exit of Matsudo Station, the shop’s exterior alone radiates an immense sense of history and tradition.

“First, let’s get some Japanese sweets. Recommended choices are ‘Yagiri no Watashi-bune’ and ‘Yuzu Mochi’.

However, everything is delicious. Surprisingly tasty, these sweets go well with any drink, be it black tea, green tea, or coffee.

The Deity Residing in Matsudo: ‘Matsudo Shrine’

“From Eisei-dou Okamatsu, a short walk away is the nearby Matsudo Shrine

Matsudo Shrine was established in the third year of the Kan’ei era (1626). It is regarded as the chief protective shrine of Matsudo City, attracting many visitors.

The shrine conducts various prayers, including purification rites for unlucky years (yakuyoke), healing of illnesses, household safety, prayers for traffic safety, and purification of vehicles and motorcycles. It is also believed to bring benefits for success, passing exams, safe childbirth, and Shichi-Go-San (a traditional rite of passage for children).

Our family’s first visit of the year is always to Matsudo Shrine. Thanks to its blessings, I’ve successfully passed high school and university entrance exams and job hunting.

Let’s pray respectfully

The Edo River riverside is just a short walk from Matsudo Shrine

It’s a quick journey from Matsudo Shrine to the Edo River.

As captured from Google Earth’s Street View, you can see the embankment of the Edo River from Matsudo Shrine

Take a walk to the riverside of the Edo River and enjoy the Japanese sweets you bought earlier.

It’s a river you can find anywhere, but it looks incredibly beautiful at sunset

After finishing the Japanese sweets at the Edo River, walk back to Matsudo Station. This rounds up the journey nicely to a total of about one hour

A route like this