Having spent the first week of my inaugural Japan trip in 2006 in and around Tokyo, day 8 was the day to eventually start heading out into different parts of the country. 20 years ago this morning, I went to Shinjuku Station, from where I had a comfortable and calm 2hrs 45mins train ride to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture.

I had reserved a room at a hotel close to Matsumoto Station, and after leaving my luggage there, I headed out for a walk to Matsumoto Castle. It is one of Japan’s premier historic castles (along with the ones in Himeji and Kumamoto), and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring it.

Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. © 2006 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. © 2006 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
View from the top of Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. © 2006 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. © 2006 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

All photos shot with Nikon digital SLRs, edited in Adobe Lightroom 5.7 / LR Classic.

写真の撮影場所：松本