Matsumoto Castle, the main attraction of Matsumoto city, is a hirajiro - a castle built on flatland. Unlike the Japanese castles built on hills or mountains, with the advantage of the higher ground, for protection against attacks a flatland castle was usually surrounded by water moats or swamps.

Here’s a photo of the moat and the surroundings of Matsumoto Castle, taken from one of the small windows of the main donjon. I love that bridge painted in vermillion, perfectly harmonized with the black color of the castle and also with the emerald color of the water. And in the background, you can see the snowy peaks of the Japanese Alps.

View from Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Japanese architecture - Shizuoka Press and Broadcasting Center