Matsumoto Castle has a very active castle site. Every summer
there are performances of Taiko Drummers and Takigi Noh (a play performed
under torch light) festivals are held. The castle gardens are painted bright pink in
April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. In autumn, you can watch the moon
and ponder existence during a so-called Moon Viewing Party. This takes place in the
'moon viewing room' of the castle, built especially for that purpose. It is said that
"the moon can be seen three times from the moon viewing room". Once in the sky,
once reflected in the water of the moat below and once in your cup of sake (but six
if you’ve had one too many cups). Also, English speaking volunteer guides roam around
the compound, willing to explain about the castle’s history to any visitor. 
Photo courtesy of getintravel.com
Website: http://welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/contents03+index.id+3.htm in English
Address: 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture 390-0873, Japan
Tel no.: +81 (0) 263-32-2902
Price (incl. museum): 610 yen for adults, 300 yen for children
Opening times: daily 8:30-17:00
