Matsumoto-jo

One of the 4 best castles in Japan (according to the government), so we stopped off en route to Kyoto. Built in the 16th century, it has survived until the present remarkably intact. It contains super steep stairs, corridors wide enough for running in full armour, a moon viewing pavilion (essential for castles), various holes for weaponry, and a huge shallow moat. We thought this was probably for slowing down and irritating samurai while the archers picked them off. The air was crisp and the moat frozen, with koi cruising along underneath like nuclear submarines. I like the alps in the background.

Bye Barbara