Adventure in Mie Prefecture - Part 1

On the road again! This time we're going to spend 3 days in Mie Prefecture.

Our first stop is Matsusaka City and after meeting our guide we went to the Matsusaka Castle Ruins.

The Castle is gone and what remains is the foundation and walls.

The Castle Visitors Center and Museum.

According to the guide, the enemy of the stone walls are tree roots. As the roots grow the stones move. These glass pieces are a way of monitoring the movement.

On the left are members of our tour group and on the right (in the shadow) is our City Guide.

Our guide told us that we are very lucky to visit Matsusaka while the cherry blossoms are blooming. It's the nicest time of the year to visit!

I agree with her, it's beautiful here.

The top of the wall, there's no safety rail so people need to be careful, it's a long way down if you fall off!

This open area is where the Castle used to be. It was destroyed by a typhoon ages ago and it was determined by the prefectural lords at that time not to rebuild it. Something about it not being worth it. 

Without the castle this place is like a nice park.

One group of people was having a party under the cherry tree.

The guide is sharing Matsusaka City history with the group - very interesting stuff!

From here we can look down on a historical section of the city... let's go visit.

It's very well maintained here.

Looking inside one of the old houses.

Matsusaka Technical High School

According to the guide this used to be where the castle moat was. Now it's just a ditch. 

Walking through town. This is one of those towns where some businesses are doing well and others have gone out-of-business. 

This is a famous Mitsukoshi Store (Tokyo Ginza) Lion in Matsusaka City.

Walking the historical side streets of Matsusaka City.

This was the Merchants district.

Very nice, very picturesque! 

I like the trees!

The Hasegawa Residence (historical site). Matsusaka cotton was processed here into kimonos. 

One last look back before we get on the bus and head for the next place.

Part 2 of the Mie Prefecture adventure is coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus shots!