This is a national treasure castle with a wooden main keep.
It's beautifully lit up at night, and looks stunning both day and night. You have to take off your shoes to enter, since wearing shoes inside is not allowed. In winter, your feet can get really cold, so I recommend borrowing slippers from your hotel before you go.
Matsumoto Castle | Review by みのさん
Other Reviews by みのさん
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Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado
Doors are wide open at this brand new mega-retailer, opened at the Jingumae intersection between Harajuku and Omotesando in April 2024. Step inside to find nine different floors from basement to 7th floor rooftop terrace, complete with 75 shops and restaurants to browse, plus a public bathhouse, gallery, library, and so much more.
I recommend the public bath on the basement level. You can rent towels, and amenities like body soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers are provided, so you can stop by empty-handed.
It’s an easy way to casually experience Japanese sento culture for under JPY 1,000. There’s also a shop, so you can enjoy a beer or ice cream after your bath. -
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Hachinohe Art Museum
A municipal art museum that reopened after renovations in November 2021 as a core facility in Hachinohe City’s vision of becoming an “art city.” The museum’s biggest feature after the renovation is the “Giant Room” that opens up from the entrance. This huge space, with a ceiling height of Approx. 18 m, can be freely arranged with movable shelves and partitions.
A beautifully designed art museum that has won numerous architectural awards. Its concept centers on encounters and learning, and one of its distinctive features is that the layout can be changed using curtains and movable shelves.
Be aware that it is closed on Tuesdays.
Also, the curry and chai at the curry shop very close to the museum are excellent, so it might be worth stopping by. -
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Kakegawa Kachouen
Kakegawa Kachouen is a hands-on theme park where you can enjoy interacting with birds in a garden filled with a diverse array of flowers. The large all-weather glasshouses are temperature and ventilation-controlled so that you can have a pleasant time in any weather or season. You can see 1,000 rare birds of about 100 species and flowers in full bloom all year round.
You can get really close to the birds and actually interact with them. It feels like you’re stepping into the birds’ home as a guest.
The flowers are beautifully in bloom too, and there are tons of photo-worthy spots! When I visited, the lotus flowers were blooming and they were gorgeous.
I was especially moved to see a shoebill—famous for barely moving—actually walking around. -
