Japan

Matsumoto Castle with red bridge and lotus pond at sunset.

2025-05-20
7 minutes read

Matsumoto Castle Travel Guide: Samurai History & Visiting Tips

I still remember the way my footsteps slowed as I approached Matsumoto Castle for the first time. It was early April, the sky clear, the air thick with the faint scent of cherry blossoms, and there it was—this brooding, beautiful fortress reflected in the still waters of its moat. Black, bold, and silent. Locals call […]

Visitors enjoy boat ride near Himeji Castle with cherry blossoms

2025-03-23
18 minutes read

Himeji Castle: A Timeless Icon of Japan’s Samurai Age

There’s a moment just outside Himeji Station when the crowds seem to pause and turn the same direction—everybody catching their first glimpse of the castle. Even if you think you’re too old to be wowed, it gets you. The main keep rises so clean and bright above the city, it almost looks unreal, as if […]