An ancient name for Matsumoto, which means "Salt City". The name comes from a story of the Sengoku.

Kai, Takeda Shingen's territory, was a land-locked region which had to import salt from other territories. These rival territories decided to cut off Shingen's salt supply, and Shingen's people suffered. Uesugi Kenshin, whose territory of Echigo bordered the sea, sent him salt on oxen-back with a letter attached: "I fight you, but I fight with bow and arrow, not with rice and salt." The salt arrived on Jan. 10th, 1568, and a festival was held in Matsumoto to celebrate its arrival.

This festival has now become the Ame-Ichi.