After a comfortable night’s sleep in an uncomfortable room, breakfast was followed by a gathering of belongings and their people onto what can only be described as a cute little bus. Maybe it was the fringes on the curtain valence that gave the finishing touch to the bright, cheerful colour scheme of the seating.
We had glimpses of Fuji San through the canyons of the Tokyo landscape. And later other snow capped hills could be seen. The bus made an interesting contrast to the stark winter landscape, and it’s trees bereft of leaves.
A few hours later we arrived in Nagano for a traditional Japanese lunch featuring tempura, a sashimi of fish and una, soba, and all the trimmings. Less fresh seafood here in the middle of the island. Then back to the bus and on to Matsumotu castle.
Authentic and original, one of only 5 in Japan designated as a national treasure. And also the oldest originally fortified in the late 15th century, with the 5 level castle tower built in 1594.
Let me say this, it has steep, narrow stairs going up it’s internal 6 levels. Yes it has not levels on the inside than the outside. Let me also say the timber work in it is monumental in scale and extraordinary in quality.
It also contains a very nice collection of various guns, dating back to the 16th century. Once the Japanese craftsmen had a couple of western guns, they were able to replicate them within a year. These ended up having the same effect on the samurai, as they did on the knights in Europe. But those warrior castes somehow seem more classy than the average general sending his troops to fight somebody else’s battle.
Anyway, onwards and upwards to Yudanaka. And the snow begins.
And what I can only assume is an authentic Ryokan experience once we arrived at our lodging for the next 2 nights. A futon on a tatami mat floor. 6 star service in a 3 star hotel.
And the food. A banquet fit for a shogun. And a bunch of westerners faking it, dressed in yukata robes and complaining about low chairs. It could be worse. But it could not be much better than the Kobe beef shabu shabu. A dyi hotpot with the beef almost dissolving into a what ends up a supremely tasty broth.
I will leave it at that. I only wish taste bud had memories.
