Matsuyama

My first stop in Shikoku was Matuyama, about two and a half hours by ferry from Hiroshima across the Inland Sea. I wasn't particularly interested in visiting Shikoku's biggest city, as the island is renowned for its temples, rivers, and ruralscapes, but I wanted to visit Dougo, located nearby. I decided to visit Matsuyama-jou, a mountaintop castle constructed in 1602. I rode a ski-lift to the top.


A guard near the entrance insisted on taking this corny tourist photo:


The view from the castle was great, but the castle itself was a disappointment. Unfortunately, the main building was under renovation, and thus entirely obsfuscated by scaffolding and wire mesh. Nevertheless, here are some good pictures of other buildings in the castle complex.




And to convey my disappointment:


A row of suits of armor in the main castle:


Nietzsche plays dress-up:


A view through a gunport:


A view of the castle grounds: