Mar 1, 2011 - Shimpei’s Horrifying 2011 Start! Chapter 2 人生最大の危機　第２話

I ended up staying in my home…my “original” home in Matsumoto, the home where this sick mountain goat spent his childhood. Home…sweet home…I finally felt that I was safe and protected as soon as I saw familiar mountains in Matsumoto, smelled the rice farm near my house, and ate a home cooked dinner (FISH). Oh how did I end up here? Well, I left Hanoi on the same night when above mentioned worse ever anxiety attack hit me. I called my supervisor to ask for immediate sick leave since I felt very unsafe staying alone at my own apartment as I...

Jan 3, 2011 - Matsumoto

"Little" (still 300,000 siners!) town located in the Japanese Alps. Quiet enough place, a change from the busyness of Tokyo! The town castle is known as one of the oldest traditional still standing wooden castle in Japan!...

Sep 2, 2010 - The mountain goat is back to his mountain!　パチンコ大作戦

Shimpei, the mountain goat, is now visiting his parents in Matsumoto, Japan. Since I have not visited here during summer for a long time, it is very exciting to feel fresh summer air, see green rice farm, and eat all the special summer food in Matsumoto. I really like my hometown and think Matsumoto is one of the best places in Japan! (So please visit here when you come to Japan. My family will welcome you!). The only problem is I will get bored if I stay here for more than a week…not much to do except for hiking, biking, running, and...

Oct 6, 2009 - Crow Castle

We are heading for the Nakasendo, one of the many old roads through Japan, made famous by Hiroshige and Hokusai in their prints. First off to Matsumoto in a few minutes, and its still raining! We splashed through the pouring rain to the station, where we got a bus to Kofu, then a train to Matsumoto, all through some pretty nice Alpine scenery, the rain gradually lessening as we went. By the time we got to Matsumoto the rain had stopped at last! We booked into our new hotel, had some lunch and then went to the local Castle, called Crow...

Apr 9, 2007 - Castles and Cherry Blossoms (Lynn)

Belated Easter Greetings to everyone! We missed Easter this year as it is not celebrated in Japan! Monique took us to Matsumoto yesterday and what a beautiful place. I think it is my favorite town (small city) so far with gorgeous stores and the most incredible castle. The cherry blossoms were at their peak here which just added to the magic. There were professional photographers everywhere capturing the blossoms against the silhouette of the castle. Just incredible...I hope you enjoy the photos! Love Lynn

Apr 7, 2007 - Let the Japanese traditions begin .......(Lynn)

Now that we are two hours (by the fast train) out of Tokyo, I realize that we have not yet been exposed to the essence of Japan. We are now sleeping on futons placed on tatami mats on the floor against a backdrop of rice paper screens. Our room has the small black table prepared for tea at which you kneel or sit cross legged. (Rob of course still can't figure out why he is paying $150/night to camp out on the floor in a room that has no Internet). I am trying to sort out the slipper rituals.....removing shoes at the door, climbing up one...

May 25, 2006 - Matsumoto (06/04/06)

Le château de Matsumoto est un des quelques superbes châteaux médiévaux qui soient encore intacts, les autres ayant été reconstruits (en béton) au 19ème siècle. Das Schloss von Matsumoto gehört zu den wenigen wunderschönen mittelalterlichen Schlössern, die noch intakt sind. Die anderen wurden im 19. Jahrhundert wieder aufgebaut (aus Beton).

May 20, 2006 - The Black Eyed Peas and Makers Mark

So here we are in Matsumoto, a lovely little city that still retains quite a bit of downtown charm without seeming totally touristy, which is a feat that I haven`t seen yet here. It does, however, seem to cater to a large international (read: English-speaking) crowd, but at this point in our trip, we`re ready for a taste of home. To wit, this morning we woke up at a Ryokan near Shiobara, which has gained a place right up there on the most beautiful places I`ve ever seen. Basically take the best part of the deepest layer of the Grand Canyon...

Aug 19, 2004 - Matsumoto

Today we visited the very elegant Matsumoto Castle. This is the oldest castle in Japan still in it's original form. The interior is set up to show the workings of a midaeval Japanese castle and also includes display of th earliest firearms that were brought into Japan. This was really interesting and the castle itself, though obviously built to be functional, is also a very graceful simple construction. We didn't have time to look at much other than the castle but the town of Matsumoto appears to be am attractive sort resort town. Also,...