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Matsumoto Castle located in Matsumoto City, Nagano prefecture is one of only five castles in Japan that has been designated as a “National Treasure of Japan’. Standing as a prime example of a ‘hirajiro’ (flat castle) for its use of an extensive system of moats and interconnected walls as opposed to being built on elevated position. 

The castle was completed in 1593 with a height just shy of 30 metres its structure reflects many historical periods of war and peace. An example is the main keep which although presented as five stories contains a secret sixth floor which was used to store ammunition during sieges. In contrast a ‘Tsukimi-yagura’ (Moon-Viewing Room) was built during the peaceful Edo Period in 1633. 

In 1872 the castle was nearly destroyed, following the Meiji Restoration and abolishment of the feudal system the castle was scheduled for demolition. But due to local protests from residents the Castle was purchased back.

In modern times Matsumoto Castle is a cultural hub for locals and visiting tourists with peak times around April and August. Coinciding with the Cherry Blossom Season and Summer Festivals respectively.

Matsumoto Castle was meant as a brief morning pit stop on my commute from Nagano to Matsumoto Airport for our flight to Sapporo. It was an early start much like the rest of my trip at 5:30am where I boarded the train to the castle. It was a cool crisp -6 degrees celsius (yikes) when I arrived and with my backpack and full suitcase in hand I racewalked over to the castle.

After capturing Ice Ice Outpost I began making my way to the northern end of the castle moat to check out the view of the Castle from the bright red Uzumi bridge. Just as expected, the view was stunning. I experimented a bit with different focal lengths trying wide and tight angles whilst using the red of the bridge as a high contrast element in the frame. In the end I decided that the wider focal length suited the scene best. Full reflections of the castle, Uzumi Bridge intersecting midway through the composition and parts of Matsumoto City in the background. A stunning display of old and new.

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View of Matsumoto Castle from Uzumi Bridge, Matsumoto City, Nagano prefecture