. Jalbum 8.3 slides/IMG_2388.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Matsumoto Castle Matsumoto Castle slides/IMG_2388.JPG slides/IMG_2390.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 slides/IMG_2390.JPG slides/IMG_2391.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 How Samurai in all their armor managed the steep stairs is a great mystery to me. How Samurai in all their armor managed the steep stairs is a great mystery to me. slides/IMG_2391.JPG slides/IMG_2392.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 This was a different take on stairs that I quite fancy. This was a different take on stairs that I quite fancy. slides/IMG_2392.JPG slides/IMG_2395.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Matsumoto Castle. A beautiful guard tower. Matsumoto Castle. A beautiful guard tower. slides/IMG_2395.JPG slides/IMG_2397.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Luke in front of Matsumoto castle Luke in front of Matsumoto castle slides/IMG_2397.JPG slides/IMG_2400.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 One of the first Western style schools after the Meji restoration. One of the first Western style schools after the Meji restoration. slides/IMG_2400.JPG slides/IMG_2402.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 A typical classroom in Meji era (late 1800's) A typical classroom in Meji era (late 1800's) slides/IMG_2402.JPG slides/IMG_2404.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 slides/IMG_2404.JPG slides/IMG_2406.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 A desk set. Notice that the seats flip up allowing students to stand when the teacher enters or when they answer a question. Why did we get rid of that tradition? A desk set. Notice that the seats flip up allowing students to stand when the teacher enters or when they answer a question. Why did we get rid of that tradition? slides/IMG_2406.JPG slides/IMG_2407.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 The original carvings are a bizarre mix of traditional Japanese and Western cupids. The original carvings are a bizarre mix of traditional Japanese and Western cupids. slides/IMG_2407.JPG slides/Nagano ryokan.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 The Ryokan (Japanese Inn) where we stayed two nights. Our room was in the top right with the glass windows. The Ryokan (Japanese Inn) where we stayed two nights. Our room was in the top right with the glass windows. slides/Nagano ryokan.jpg slides/IMG_2419.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 The garden inside the ryokan. The garden inside the ryokan. slides/IMG_2419.JPG slides/IMG_2420.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Tea and sweets as we checked in Tea and sweets as we checked in slides/IMG_2420.JPG slides/IMG_2421.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Tea and sweets as we checked in. Tea and sweets as we checked in. slides/IMG_2421.JPG slides/IMG_2431.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 The entrance gate to Zenkoji temple in Nagano. The entrance gate to Zenkoji temple in Nagano. slides/IMG_2431.JPG slides/IMG_2429.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Zenkoji temple in Nagano Zenkoji temple in Nagano slides/IMG_2429.JPG slides/IMG_2427.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Mika tossing incense into the cauldron. The smoke is supposed to chase away evil. Mika tossing incense into the cauldron. The smoke is supposed to chase away evil. slides/IMG_2427.JPG slides/IMG_2423.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 The abbot of the temple after mid-day prayers is leaving the temple and bonking people on the head with his beads. I guess it's good luck or a blessing or some such thing. The abbot of the temple after mid-day prayers is leaving the temple and bonking people on the head with his beads. I guess it's good luck or a blessing or some such thing. slides/IMG_2423.JPG slides/IMG_2430.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Not sure what it is but perhaps it is the Japanese equivalent of Excalibur Not sure what it is but perhaps it is the Japanese equivalent of Excalibur slides/IMG_2430.JPG slides/IMG_2432.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 A giant Jizo which is the form of Buddha that looks after children. A giant Jizo which is the form of Buddha that looks after children. slides/IMG_2432.JPG slides/IMG_2433.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 Our little Toyota Vitz (similar to a Yaris) was a little underpowered to climb the steep hills in Nagano. My foot is to the floor here and we are only going 30 km/h. Our little Toyota Vitz (similar to a Yaris) was a little underpowered to climb the steep hills in Nagano. My foot is to the floor here and we are only going 30 km/h. slides/IMG_2433.JPG slides/IMG_2443.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 The road is a bit bendy as well as being steep. The road is a bit bendy as well as being steep. slides/IMG_2443.JPG slides/IMG_2455.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 It was so relaxing to finally get out of a city and built up areas completely. It was so relaxing to finally get out of a city and built up areas completely. slides/IMG_2455.JPG slides/IMG_2460.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 From 2000 m above sea level we went on a walk around a marsh. Here behind Mika is the Nagano valley. From 2000 m above sea level we went on a walk around a marsh. Here behind Mika is the Nagano valley. slides/IMG_2460.JPG slides/IMG_2474.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 We discovered these old sake vats in front of a shrine in Ueda City. It turns out that they have been converted into small tea (as in Japanese tea ceremony) huts. We discovered these old sake vats in front of a shrine in Ueda City. It turns out that they have been converted into small tea (as in Japanese tea ceremony) huts. slides/IMG_2474.JPG slides/IMG_2469.html# Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:29:45 +0900 We couldn't get in them but if you look through the glass you can see the tatami mats inside. We couldn't get in them but if you look through the glass you can see the tatami mats inside. slides/IMG_2469.JPG