Matsumoto and Takayama

Matsumoto-jo backed up by the Japan Alps.
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My luck with the weather continues as today is a beautiful clear day.  Since I arrived too late to Matsumoto Castle yesterday to tour the interior, I returned for that purpose.  The thing that amazes me about Japanese castles (like Himeji Castle) is how steep and high the stairs are and how low the beams are.  At Matsumoto Castle they give you a bag to carry your shoes, making the climb to the sixth floor even more difficult.  Guides were positioned at the most dangerous stairs to give you warnings.  The view of the city and mountains from the sixth floor was great.

One of the less dangerous stairs in Matsumoto-jo.
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I took a bus from Matsumoto to Takayama.  Even though I had a JR Railpass, it would take me 4.5 hours using JR trains because they run north-south.  The bus took only 2 hours because it travels east-west, cutting through the mountains separating the two cities.  As we got up higher the scenery became breathtaking with the mountain peaks and snow.

I spent the first day in Takayama just walking around.  I headed for the Shiroyama Park because I heard it had nice views overlooking the city and the mountains.  At the top of the park were the ruins of Takayama Castle.  From here the views were nice but mostly obscured by the forest.

View of Matsumoto from the sixth floor of the castle.
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I headed back down to the Sanmachi Tsuji preservation area and toured the shops there, including several sake breweries and a shoyu brewery.  In several weeks Takayama will hold its spring festival featuring a parade of ornate floats.   One of the floats was on display.

One odd thought--sakura does not seem to be important here.  I've only seen a few flowering trees here and there are not much sakura-related items like fake sakura branches or banners and advertisements.  I do see Takayama spring festival advertisements everywhere.