About this experience
The flatland Matsumoto Castle in the Shinshu province (Nagano Prefecture in the Central region of Japan) is dear to the Japanese not only for its beauty, but also for the fact that it is living history - one of the 12 castles that have been preserved in their original form, untouched by the internal strife of medieval princes, fires, reformations of the country's modernization in the late 19th century, or the bombings of World War II. On this tour, you will be able to experience the beauty of the medieval samurai castle, learn about the fates, struggles, and lives of samurai leaders, and immerse yourself in the spirit of the past.
Program
Having visited Matsumoto Castle for the first time several years ago, I was so enchanted by the grandeur of its towers and galleries and its history that I undertook to translate into Russian the description of the architectural features of its fortresses, defenses, and the fates of the stern samurai warlords, rulers of the castle from warring clans. Now, strolling through the castle, I can share with Russian-speaking travelers the knowledge acquired through translation about the castle and the city.
- Life of medieval samurai warlords. Artifacts displayed in one of the museum towers vividly illustrate the life and struggles of medieval samurai warlords. The armor and weapons of the samurais, from swords to muskets and helmets, are carefully preserved and available for viewing.
- Moon Viewing Pavilion. You will have the opportunity to appreciate the Moon Viewing Pavilion and the views of the surrounding mountains - for that, you will need to climb fairly steep stairs.
- For photographers, this trip will be a real find, as the castle looks spectacular in any season: among the crimson autumn leaves, amidst cherry blossoms, and in the snow (which is abundant here in winter).
- Food enthusiasts will not be disappointed either - especially if you arrive before noon to have lunch or choose a restaurant and time in advance. Nagano Prefecture is famous for its cuisine, with plenty of meat dishes available. In Matsumoto, there is a variety to choose from, even for vegetarian gourmets - from nationally famous apples and soba noodles to oyaki dumplings, remotely resembling Russian pies.
Organizational Details
- We will spend 2.5-3 hours on the castle tour and lunch, and return to Tokyo as darkness falls - on pre-purchased tickets on the same Azusa express.
- To avoid slipping on the steep Castle stairs, I recommend that you bring special socks - I will advise you in correspondence on where to purchase them in Tokyo the day before.
- A trip here, over 200 km from the metropolis of Tokyo, can be combined with a visit to hot springs, participating in harvests on mountain farms and in the valleys of Yamanashi Prefecture through which the Azusa express route passes, if you do not plan to return to Tokyo the same day and continue further into the Japanese countryside, or simply have booked a hotel and want to stay in these places until the next day.
- I can assist with ryokan recommendations, provided that you will coordinate booking and logistics independently.
