Tuesday, June 5th
We left Tokyo after a quick breakfast at the restaurant below our apartment, the Oriental-Recipe Cafe. We then went to the JR train station and ordered tickets to Matsumoto. We took a short train to Shinjuku then boarded another train headed to Matsumoto. While we were on the train, a worker came by to punch tickets. He looked at our tickets, and tried to tell us something but we could not translate it. He left and came back with and English translation book and told us that we needed both a seat ticket( which we had) and a fare ticket. So in Japan, you need two tickets for one trip! So we paid the difference and made a mental note to not make that mistake again.
When we reached Matsumoto, we went to our hotel, Hotel New Station. They held our bags while we went to see the castle.
Matsumoto castle was beautiful! It had outer walls, then a huge moat that surrounded and protected the castle. The fare was ¥600 each to get in, which is around $15. We began the tour of the castle, which started with taking our shoes off at the entrance to the castle. We then climbed the initial staircase, which was very steep. It was so steep, my knee was at the top of the next stair as we went up.
Matsumoto castle was built in the 1600’s. It is one of the oldest castles still standing in Japan. It was built with the intention to protect the residents against invaders with guns. As Chris and I were trying to figure our way through the castle, we came upon an English speaking tour. The guide was a very nice Japanese lady and the family consisted of a dad, mom, and daughter. We began taking to John, the dad, about the different examples of guns and we were invited to join up with the tour. As we talked with the family, we found that John was from New York and the wife, Yoko, was from Japan. They lived with their daughter, Catherine, in Hawaii. It was nice to make friends with other Americans on our tour of Japan.
After the tour, Chris and I walked around the busy parts of Matsumoto city. There were little shops and traditional style buildings mixed with modern buildings. We found a restaurant called Private Dining (at least we think that was the name). We put our shoes in lockers at the front of the shop then were led down a hall to a booth that was inset in the floor and had a sliding door. We had a call button for when we needed something and a TV with Japanese cable on it. We ate yakitori, takoyaki, gyoza, and a big omelette filled with rice and noodles. We also watched the Japanese news on the television and they had a special about eggs. The lady doing the special traveled to different places sound Japan to see how they prepared eggs in different locations. She was always way to excited when they showed her their eggs…
Train Ride
Chris let me get a bento box on the train for breakfast. It was very good. It had rice with umeboshi (the pink dot), cooked salmon, pickled beans, tamago (sweet egg omelet), sweet beans, and a big shrimp.
Train Ride
The view from the train window.
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle came from Fukashi Castle, which was built at the beginning of the Eisho Era. In 1582, Lord Ogasawra changed the name to Matsumoto Castle. By 1590, all of the remaining structures were built- the outer walls, the gates, and a few smaller towers.
MAP_Matsumoto
Our journey through Matsumoto.
MAP_TokyotoMatsumoto
The train ride from Tokyo to Matsumoto.
Train Ride
The houses by the tracks.
Matsumoto Castle
The gables of the roof… They are very intricate and have a lot of fish patterns.
Matsumoto Castle
The interior of the castle.
Matsumoto Castle
Guns like the ones used to protect the castle at this time. This came from a collection of the late Mr. and Mrs. Akabane, who spent their lives preserving pieces of history.
Matsumoto Castle
The windows at the castle were designed for defense. They also have a great view of the area (for obvious reasons).
Matsumoto Castle
This is the shrine for the Nijuroku-ya-shin(the 26th Night Goddess). It is said that she appeared in a white kimono to a guard as he was watching the castle on the 26th night of the year(January 26th) and she told him that if the lord of the castle offered her 500kg of rice on her night, she would keep the castle safe. Most of the original surroundings of the castle are no longer here, such as the Lord’s house, which was situated only a few feet apart from the castle. It burned to the ground and did not even leave a scorch mark on the castle itself.
Matsumoto Castle
Chris and me in the Tsukimi-yagura, also known as the moon observatory. When the doors are open, you can see three different moons at night. One is in the sky, one is in the moat, and the last… is in the reflection of your cup of sake.
Matsumoto Castle
Our friends who let us join their tour. From left to right: Chris, me, John, tour guide, Catherine, and Yoko.
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle
There is at least one samurai still protecting the castle… although, he should know not to give Americans sharp katana!
Matsumoto Castle
Bonzai Competition
Bonzai at the castle. Apparently they were having a contest.
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle
Swan in the moat. It’s the enemy in disguise!! Where are my arrows?
Matsumoto Castle
The red bridge to the castle. There was a Do Not Enter sign, so invaders will have to go around to the main entrance.
Matsumoto
A bookstore that looked like the castle.
Matsumoto Castle
Vending machines at the entrance of the castle gates.
Matsumoto Castle
Calorie Block… Not sure what this is.
Matsumoto Castle
Ice Cream vending machine!
Matsumoto Castle
Ice cream in a waffle…
Matsumoto Castle
Chris’s cheesecake and strawberry swirl cone.
Matsumoto
A little guy on the sidewalk…
Matsumoto
Kimono shop.
Private Dining
Restaurant with a picture menu! Exactly what we needed. This was Private Dining (which is the name Chris and I settled on and is probably not the real name). This restaurant has private booths and we ate in a really nice one with a TV.
Private Dining
Even the drinks are pretty at this place. In Japan, you pay for every refill and things like juice cost A LOT. Water and green tea are usually free though.
Private Dining
Our meal consisted of the omelet, these takoyaki(breaded octopus shaped into balls and… baked?), yakitori, and gyoza. Everything was delicious!
Private Dining
“Kobe-style fried noodles and rice wrapped in an omelet” It was amazing.
Matsumoto City
Lanterns down the road.
Hotel New Station
The front of our hotel.
Hotel New Station
The yukata (cotton robes) provided for our comfort.
Hotel New Station
The entrances to the public baths on the 7th floor. The red is for women (and is locked) and the blue is for men.
Hotel New Station
The changing room. Yukata go in the baskets.
Hotel New Station
Another view of the changing room.
Hotel New Station
Amenities are provided.
Hotel New Station
Before getting in a public bath, you wash yourself.
Hotel New Station
The biiiiig bath! It was so nice!
Hotel New Station
Breakfast!
Hotel New Station
Breakfast was really good. It consisted of rice with a soft poached egg over it, pickled veggies, steamed veggies in a sauce, soup, grilled fish, bread, and drinks (water, tea, orange juice, milk, then coffee at the end… Apparently we looked thirsty).