Day trip to Matsumoto Castle
Dec 14th, 2011, 12:16 PM
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Day trip to Matsumoto Castle
Has anyone done this from Tokyo? It sounds like a 2 1/2 hr train ride on the express and an easy walk from the station to the castle and the small town?
Dec 14th, 2011, 02:05 PM
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According to hyperdia it's 150 to 178 minutes taking the Limited Express Azusa or Super Azusa - that's sort of a long day trip but doable...
I saw the Castle - it was quite nice and one of the original ones - maybe that's why you want to see it?
I signed up in advance to get one of the free guides and that was very interesting....
Enjoy!
I saw the Castle - it was quite nice and one of the original ones - maybe that's why you want to see it?
I signed up in advance to get one of the free guides and that was very interesting....
Enjoy!
Dec 14th, 2011, 02:17 PM
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Yes the Super Azusa would be out of Shinjuku Station. With 6 hours or more of train time I would spend a night or two if you can in Matsumoto. I can recommend this place right next to Matsumoto-jo, the Hotel Kagetsu complete with indoor onsen. But I love hot spring baths.
http://hotel-kagetsu.jp/englishtop.html
It's more like a twenty to twenty five minute walk to the castle from the JR Station but maybe I just walk slower than others. Matsumoto-jo is one of the three best castles I have ever visited in Japan and my count is now over twenty of them.
Aloha!
http://hotel-kagetsu.jp/englishtop.html
It's more like a twenty to twenty five minute walk to the castle from the JR Station but maybe I just walk slower than others. Matsumoto-jo is one of the three best castles I have ever visited in Japan and my count is now over twenty of them.
Aloha!
Dec 14th, 2011, 04:39 PM
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mm, Kyoto on a day trip.....oy......there's enough to see there for a month easily....so a day trip to Matsumoto should work for you - is that why your screen name is moremiles? ;-)
ht - I too am impressed with your castle count.
ht - I too am impressed with your castle count.
Dec 15th, 2011, 06:13 AM
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Reading54,
At the number one spot is "The White Heron" Himeji-jo in the city of Himeji. Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. The grounds and castle are a National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site and without reservation the most well preserved and authentic castle you will see in Japan and probably anywhere in the world. We were also lucky enough to be there in the height of the cherry blossom season so experienced a double bonus.
In the number two spot is Matsumoto-jo for me. Again we were lucky enough to be there in prime cherry blossom season. I loved the fact that this castle is not on a hill but a flat plain so less climbing involved. Also the beautiful lines of this castle really sets it apart from some of the others.
Really close behind in third would be Kumamoto-jo. We just visited this fall in the height of the fall colors. The way they constructed this castle is unique in design and must have seemed impenetrable to opponents of the day. The sweeping lines of this castle are beautiful and the rock defense walls extremely impressive to my eyes. The castle grounds are immense with reconstruction complete it is a sight to behold from the top of the castle keep. The workers also character play dressing in the clothes of old Japan and offer quite a few unique photo ops along the way. We turned the last corner of the castle keep and out jumped a ninja in full gear to scare the s--t out of us and then take a pic with.
Aloha!
At the number one spot is "The White Heron" Himeji-jo in the city of Himeji. Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. The grounds and castle are a National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site and without reservation the most well preserved and authentic castle you will see in Japan and probably anywhere in the world. We were also lucky enough to be there in the height of the cherry blossom season so experienced a double bonus.
In the number two spot is Matsumoto-jo for me. Again we were lucky enough to be there in prime cherry blossom season. I loved the fact that this castle is not on a hill but a flat plain so less climbing involved. Also the beautiful lines of this castle really sets it apart from some of the others.
Really close behind in third would be Kumamoto-jo. We just visited this fall in the height of the fall colors. The way they constructed this castle is unique in design and must have seemed impenetrable to opponents of the day. The sweeping lines of this castle are beautiful and the rock defense walls extremely impressive to my eyes. The castle grounds are immense with reconstruction complete it is a sight to behold from the top of the castle keep. The workers also character play dressing in the clothes of old Japan and offer quite a few unique photo ops along the way. We turned the last corner of the castle keep and out jumped a ninja in full gear to scare the s--t out of us and then take a pic with.
Aloha!
