During this time, guys called Daimyo lorded over their territories of Japan, and some of them lived in these types of castles, which were built into hills or on the edges of rivers to help fortify them and protect them.  Matsumoto Castle is special because it is built on a plain, although it is elevated and surrounded by a moat.

The history of the castle is long and complicated.  At first it was a fort called Fukashi Castle.  Built in 1504, it changed rulers in 1550 and the new rulers built onto Fukashi, adding multiple towers, the keep (which is a Japanese national treasure), and more.  The final product was finished around 1594.

The castle stood throughout the rest of the feudal period in Japan.  6 daimyo families ruled Matsumoto until the Mejii Restoration in the 1870′s.  The Mejii Restoration saw a lot of changes in Japan’s political structure and did away with the feudal style of governing.  At that time, Matsumoto Castle was auctioned off to the city government.

Eventually, the outer castle was demolished but the keep and many of the towers remain.  Kobayashi Unari, a high school principal in the late 1800′s, raised funds to renovate the ancient castle, and it was renovated between 1903 and 1913.  It was renovated further in the 1950′s, and again in 1990 and 1999.

Today the castle is open for tours and is home to many activities during the course of the year.  You can see the cherry blossoms in April, go to a Moon Viewing party in the autumn, or go to the drum festival in the summertime.

photo by ken2754@Yokohama

Related articles

• Concession Treats in Fall (drivinganddining.com)
• Visiting London And Buckingham Palace (frommyexperience.com)
• Top 10 Female Detective Novels (7books.net)
• Amazing Castles from Around The World (fourbluehills.com)

The Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo is the world’s first capsule-centered piece of architecture built for actual use. This is probably not a new concept to you, but I think it’s rare that when you can actually see the room for yourself. To me, it looks like a room aboard a spaceship. Just imagine, instead of the neighbors across the way in the window, you can see Earth. Fits quite nicely, doesn’t it? Now imagine putting everything you own in an 8 by 12 by 7 ft space.

What’s really cool is that the versatility of the capsules. They can be connected to make larger spaces and are designed to be replaceable, but they haven’t had to replace one since it was completed in 1972. Each capsule is connected to one of the two main shafts by only four high-tension bolts. Only four bolts are keeping you from falling to your death. Plus, knowing everyone loves airplane bathrooms, the designers saw fit to give each room one!

Those Japanese will do just about anything to get everyone else’s attention.

Related articles

• The Most Common U.S. Grasses (infographicsshowcase.com)
• China’s first capsule hotel to open in Shanghai (reuters.com)
• World Wetlands Destruction Graphic (infographicsshowcase.com)