Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Nagano, Part II

Continuing on with our tour of Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano.

Lining up to go to the 4th floor. Quite a view, huh?

Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Nagano

C., A., hubby, and I got off the bus at Matsumoto Station at around 2pm. All of us were still stuffed from the big ryokan breakfast and decided to skip lunch. Instead, we helped C. and A. stash their luggage in a coin locker (love traveling in Japan for things like this!) and sort out their shinkansen tickets to the next destination.

They were heading on to Kanazawa, a recommendation I'd made based on how much A. loves zen gardens and Japanese gardens in general. After all, Kenroku-en of Kanazawa is one of three most famous gardens in all of Japan. In fact, if time permits I'd like to do a blast-from-the-past series and post about my Japan travels as a JET way back in 2005-2006. With all of its ups and downs, that single year changed my life and kept me (and hubby!) going back to Japan again and again.

Anyway, it was about 2:30pm when we were pondering what to do with the rest of our afternoon. I proposed Matsumoto Castle, which had been pretty high on my to-see list. Matsumoto along with Himeji and Kumamoto Castles are three of Japan's most famous castles (yes, they love top 3's rankings over there).

Nagoya Castle, Nagoya, Aichi, Part II (Picture heavy!)

Here we are, four years later visiting Nagoya Castle again, right in the beginning of April when the sakura just bloomed. This time, J. came along with us. I'd been talking nonstop about Yamachan, and being a fellow wings-lover J. had to come along and give it a try.

But of course we had to eat lunch first a Chinese restaurant called "想吃担担面" at Nagoya Station. We didn't expect much but it turned out better than we thought, especially the almond tofu and sesame tofu desserts. Totally delectable!

Nagoya Castle, Nagoya, Aichi (Picture heavy!)

Another highlight of our short trip to Nagoya was definitely a visit to its castle. There is a long history to this Nagoya Castle, but in short, the original no longer exists - it was burned down during the 1945 Allied Forces' air raids. The one standing today was reconstructed in 1959 (I believe) and even then, it's only a shell of its former self. Inside is actually a multi-leveled museum. 

Part of the castle's dried up moat.

If you're wondering, no, this was not the super boring museum I hinted at in my Nagoya City Science Museum post. In all honesty though, while the castle museum wasn't as fun and interesting as the City Science Museum, the site of the castle and its surrounding area was worth the trip, even in the sweltering heat and humidity. I swear I must have sweated a bucket that day. Urgh.

One of the turrets.

Tohoku Trip Day 3-4 - Kamaishi, Iwate

***Disclaimer: Please note these posts are retold as interpreted. They also reflect my own personal views and opinions and not those of the seminar,  its professors and lecturers,  or affiliations. In addition,  these photos and stories can be quite tragic and gut-wrenching,  so proceed at your own risk. Some of these photos I did not watermark,  because I feel it would be a good thing to pass them on.***

On the third day we took a long (5 hours?) bus ride to Miyagi's neighboring prefecture, Iwate to visit a town call Kamaishi, also hard hit by the earthquake and tsunami. Before leaving Sendai though, we made a brief stop at the Sendai castle park to see the ruins of the Aoba Castle. 

The actual castle was burned down in the fire bombing of 1945, but bits and pieces of its outer wall and the watch tower still remains. We didn't wander off that far though. Because the castle was built on top of a hill, so the watch tower is way off else where. Watch a video I took of the view atop this hill where the castle used to stand. That is a gigantic Buddha statue in the far distance (see video). Being up that high really makes you feel like king of the hill, doesn't it? 

Gokoku shrine.

Sunpu Castle, Shizuoka, Shizuoka

Urgh. It's almost mid June and I'm still posting about my trip during Golden Week, which is the last couple of days in April and the first week of May.

Anyhoo, hubby and I visited my sister during Golden Week, and she played tour guide for a few days ^.^ Our first stop was Sunpu Castle in Shizuoka city, the capital of Shizuoka prefecture. It was a beautiful day, sunny with clear blue sky, and best of all, it was breezy and cool.

The walk along the moat outside Sunpu Castle.