The bus took about 2 and a half hours with a couple of breaks and went right up to Matsumoto Station, so no fuss. After getting in we left our packs in a coin locker, had some lunch in a place called Sukiya (its a chain food store, the food doesnt look too great at first glance and its cheap but it is surprisingly really good!) and then had a look around town. By this time alot of stuff had shut but there were a couple of big stores to walk around and it was nice to just get the lay of the land.
We spent a couple of hours just playing around in a big store with loads of CDs and books and clothes and stuff. We spent a little while playing on the arcade games on the top floor and I won a Stich watch which I gave to Lauren (I already have a watch and Lauren squeels every time she sees a stich thing because hes cute. There are a lot of Stich things in Japan!)
After a few hours we are picked up by Jim, a friend of a friend that we were introduced to through emails, and went back to his house for a good nights sleep.
The Next Day...
We leave the house at about 11 (taking advantage of the fact that there is no kick out time!) and meander through Matsumoto untill we reach Matsumoto Castle. It is a beautiful Building from the outside, especially since the rain has finally stopped and we are blessed with a warm day!
Even with it being hot outside, however, inside is FREEZING! How anyone lived in this castle (and they did) I will never know! The wind blows a gale through the entire place, turning it into an ice box. It is cool inside, with explainations about the tactics of samurai and a few weapons that would have been used, but is otherwise a little plain.
Also had a look around Nawate Street (Frog Street), they really love frogs. loads of staues and signs n stuff about frogs. The whole lond street is lined with little market stall type shops selling antiques, I really want an ink well but they are really expensive.
Also had a look around Nawate Street (Frog Street), they really love frogs. loads of staues and signs n stuff about frogs. The whole lond street is lined with little market stall type shops selling antiques, I really want an ink well but they are really expensive.
After this we head to Matsumoto Art Museum and see some instalations by the artist Yayoi (somthing) which were really cool, and some Japanese caligraphy art. We found a small natural spring next tto a small graveyard and had a sip. The local Sake breweries are known for useing this water to make thier bevvies so it should be ok. It was very refreshing.
Jim got home from work around 7 and we went out for a meal.
He ordered these little fish that are cooked when pregnant with loads of eggs (there is more eggs than fish meat) which turn out to be delicious then we get quite drunk on Sake.
The next day I vomit quite alot, sleep lots and dont see Jim as he has to go to work again.
Jim, I am really, really sorry!
We catch a bus back to Takayama and stay for another night at the Zenkoji Temple Inn.
YEAH. sake drunkenness is the BEST kind of drunkenness.
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