Yesterday evening we arrived by train to Matsumoto. We walked from the station to our hostel, Matsumoto Backpackers. Denise and Mom unpacked our stuff while Dad and I went to a grocery store to get dinner groceries. When we got back we were all very hungry so we devoured our dinner. The next morning we did some schoolwork and then headed to the Matsumoto Castle. The Matsumoto Castle is considered one of the two best castles in Japan along with the Himeji Castle. When we got to the castle there was a free English tour guide. We wanted to learn about the castle so we took the tour. This is a photo of the main castle tower, it was really beautiful. There were 6 floors in the castle but it was disguised so it looked like there were only five. This is a hole that they used to shoot enemies in the battle period. The square holes (like the one shown above) were used for muskets while the rectangle holes were used for bow & arrows. They are called sama. When enemies were climbing the castle, samurai warriors would drop rocks or boiling water on them through special openings called ishiotoshi so they would fall . So cruel!When we got to the 6th floor there was a great view of the surrounding area. It was really pretty. Hard to imagine that 500 years ago it was in the midst of battle. The moat around the castle was super wide but not that deep, I probably could of stood in it without my head going underwater.This is the view from one side of the castle, I am pretty sure south, but I can’t be sure. The view was great from all directions but I thought the two photos above were the best. Unfortunately sakura (cherry blossom) season was at its end in Matsumoto. It would have been prettier if there were a lot of sakura out, but there were still a few and it was still pulchritudinous. ☺This is Denise and I looking out of a window on the 4th floor. This window was shaped like a flower petal because flower petals are considered good luck. I think this is a really nice photo, good job Mom! When we got out of the castle we took a photo with a warrior, although he didn’t have samurai armour, too bad. These are some sakura leaves floating on the castle moat. It was so pretty I couldn’t resist taking a photo of it. This is a photo I took of my parents. Matsumoto Castle is considered a national treasure because it is one of the only original castles that hasn’t burned down and been re-built.  The castle is black and white because it is made of mud walls and wood walls.  The wood walls are painted with black lacquer while the mud walls are covered with white plaster, although the wood does look more like navy blue in this picture.  The castle walls are made of mud and wood because mud is good at withstanding attacks from enemies and fire, while wood is good for withstanding earthquakes which happen very often in Japan. On the top of the castle there are two mythical fish called shachi. The shachi are considered protection against fire and appear on all castles and many temples.  They are believed to spout water to prevent fires from burning. One shachi is male and the other is female. The male and female shachi represent Yin and Yang.  The male is Yang which is white and represents light, while the female is Yin which is black and represents darkness.   You will never find a lone male or female shachi, they always come in pairs.  Can you spot the shachi in this photo?