Today was mostly a travel day. We caught an early bus out of Takayama to Matsumoto to conquer another castle. Three hours on the bus meant breakfast on the road, and my new obsession — rice ball.


Matsumoto Castle is also known as the ‘Black Castle’ and is one of the twelve remaining OG castles in Japan. During the Meiji Dynasty (circa late 1800s), most of the castles around Japan were dismantled, so these twelve are really special.
Up the six floors barefoot which brought us to some lovely views.






Off to Tokyo now by train just in time for dinner and a view (and yes in case you were wondering, it is still hot).

