19 October - checking out Matsuyama Castle

So Maggie is resting out in the guards room, so I am off on my own feet - not sure that this will end well!!

but what could go wrong - the Castle grounds are just across the road, so off I go...  found some trees justs trying out some autumn colours and eventually found the back gate to go up to the Castle.  oh well, why not?

Japanese castles are always up on top of a hill - nowadays in the middle of a city surrounded by fairly intact old growth forests...  but there are heaps of levels before you get to the top...  at the first gate there was an entrance fee of 300Y (approx $3) so in I go This is a place of first defence atop a thick rock wall.  there's lots of small windows great for shooting arrows out of and throwing rocks and later - shooting guns...  nowadays this area has been turned into a Lovers Sanctuary - promoting peace and quiet...

The gardens were beautifully looked after and there was a pretty little stream, complete with a waterfall and stepping stones...  while I was there it looked like a bridal party - all dressed in traditional kimono (and whatever the men's outfit is called) - arrived and the bride struggled up the steps in her tight kimono...  and around the corner was a model in kimono during a photo shoot, which I managed to sneak a photo in - greeted with smiles all round!

after more climbing up big steps thru a shady forest I eventually arrived at the Castle (entrance fee of 300Y I think...)  so in you go, take off your shoes and step up onto the platform where all the little lockers are.  shoes go in a locker and you take the key.  then over to scuffs box - nowadays "croc" type of plastic scruffs are popular.  there's a spray to use if you wish, then off I shuffled to the first flight of steps.  actually these plastic scuffs are so much easier to walk in then the usual vinyl ones (and I'm not the only one who thinks so - in Uwajima castle there was a woman that used to toss the scuffs down the stairs, before attempting to climb down them, so I didn't feel so bad carrying mine!).

unfortunately once inside, there's not much to actually see.  there's usually a type of museum with samuri costumes, some swords and general historical pieces.  there is not usually anything in English, so its just a look at type of museum.  but the actual rooms (I think there was only 3 floors in Matsuyama) are quite beautiful in the old wooden castles...  huge beams, all interlocked together without nails.  would love to live in something like this...  and they are quite tiny.  usually there's a staircase up the middle and this is encircled by a narrow - say 2m at most - floor.  it gets smaller the more floors you go up...  I think it was the Kochi castle I saw in 2011 that had the rooms set ups with tatami floors and paper screens which gave a good idea on how live would have been lived...  but they are always worth a visit as they also give a good aerial (almost) view of the city.

anyways - I came down the main stairs and checked out the shrine and dodged the chair lift and ended up somewhere - not sure where....  there were lots of shops lining the streets, so well worth a look - but then where the heck am I.  after wandering around for quite awhile I was rescued by a girl from Perth (she's married to a Japanese) who worked out where I was and decided I should catch a tram.  we had to wait 30 mins for the next going my way, so for the first time for at least 2 weeks I was actually talking to someone...  it felt a bit strange actually...  but how lovely was that!  she waited till the tram came, had a quick word with the driver and he very happily offered to look after this ole granny and make sure I got off at the right place!  In fact, right out the front of the hotel...

well, that's enough words - how about some pics?

standard business hotel room - again...  where's the tatami mats??
but so convenient and easy to book

Mrs Swan is at home and ready for guests

in case you were wondering if Maggie was the only bike on Shikoku
No - but she is the fastest and flashest and most loyal of all :)

A solid wall is required

and a gate

and small windws

Not a bad place to hang out while waiting for villains to attack 

and I think this was a tank - with some seriously stranded turtles!

and these beautiful flowers again 

a proper model posing!

loved the bamboo guard rail...

Welcome to the Castle

Another gate and more seriously thick stone walls

shoe lockers

ladders that they call stairs

Museum section

a good place to pelt rocks at villains

Matsuyama city - a good place to get lost in

The Well

was tempted to ride one back to the Hotel

dodged this chair lift....  

 

counting my blessing as I went down the shrine steps

The first Lord of Matsuyama Castle

back home again another temple just around the corner - with a group of happy looking gods

so after I recovered from being lost and a tram trip, I went for a walk around the block.  I decided to check out a little supermarket - it wasn't one of the corner stores like Lawsons or 7/11

Spot the watch dog next door - and it barked at me!

Mushrooms of every shape and size 

and ready to eat meals of every description (except vego!!)

the Japanese do packaging to an excess!  even one banana is stuck in a bag - everything is so processed looking - just add water or microwave it seems....

That's the APA hotel in the middle back... flash hey - not really

shower time in the swan house

sorry, we're closed now!

Japanese calligraphy in clouds

very elaborate foyer

On TV - trying to surf on a extra large pumpkin

good luck working out this
well, its on TV and its two teams clashing in the carriage procession in some other city!  pretty impressive actually.
and I liked the actual arty photo!!

Good Night!!