Naturally Nihon

This morning we investigated Matsuyama Castle, fearing it might be a mock-up, Osaka-style; concrete and an elevator inside.  Well, the castle sits on a hilltop overlooking the city, so it has a natural defensive advantage. Although it doesn't have an elevator inside the Castle, it does sport a quaint cable car to get you from street level up to the lower grounds of the castle, or if you're more of a thrill-seeker, a chair lift (no belts or restraining bars). Once at the top of the 'ropeway' - as the Japanese refer to cable cars - there's still a healthy climb to the top. There are at least three zig-zag gateways, natural killing zones, that an attacker would have to break through to reach the castle itself. Admittedly, the castle was rebuilt in 1852 (of course) after a fire, but it was rebuilt in wood which means it has a lovely old feel to it, and it's not hard to imagine stepping back in time. Arrow slips and loop holes give out into th...

Today's main experience was a 3 hour ferry journey across the Seto Inland Sea that separates the island of Honshu from Shikoku. Our destination was Matsuyama, which perhaps is not a premier sightseeing spot, but I love a ferry crossing, and it is en-route to Takamatsu where there's another fantastic garden to visit. Anyway, cracking weather for a sea cruise! I couldn't help but notice the megaphones mounted on poles near the sea once we got to Matsuyama. I guess these are the tsunami warning sirens which really makes the danger of this area seem real! That said... We've been here two whole weeks now and still no sign of Godzilla 😞