Mountainscape

The stunning view from the top of Inuyama-jo

There are small exhibitions displaying swords and battle uniforms, but the most impressive thing has to be the view from the top of the castle. Getting to the top is quite a feat in itself; we traded our shoes in at the entrance for some snazzy leaf green slippers, which had no grip on them whatsoever. This wouldnt be a problem if the staircases were not so steep, almost as bad as the stoney steps of the temples at Angkor Wat. The green slippers were quickly abandoned when I noticed that the Japanese had given up on them and were just walking around in their socks. Thank God for that because I was so afraid of slipping and falling on top of an unfortunate frail Japanese lady making the climb behind me.

The balcony encircles the top of the castle, giving us views stretching down the river and as far as the mountain ranges that surround the city. It was a beautiful sunny day, so warm that I could even shed my jacket, and this is the end of November, mind. The sky was an intense blue, the water all glistening and simmery in the sunlight, and some old men were fishing on rocks protruding from the river. It was so perfectly charming and picturesque.