Okayama Tour : Korakuen

According to the guide that we met in castle, Korakuen is actually the backyard of the castle. The feudal lord wanted to have a place where he can relax, enjoy natures beauty alone,  or entertain some guest.

The bridge that connects the castle and the garden.

 

The garden from the other side of the river

 

The pond in the middle of the garden

yello chasing white

 

The little hill

 

the bridge and the house

 

tea

the castle and the little ricefield

 

a little shrine hidden within the sakura trees

 

palm trees

 

a house where the river runs below it, or maybe its just a hut

 

all so green

 

fishes

 

the biggest I've seen among the fishes

 

a museum ( I think )

Okayama Tour: Castle Black

Okayama Castle has been nicknamed as Ujo ( Crow Castle) because of its black exterior.

Castle Description

The castle is about 15 -20 minutes walk from JR Okayama Station. There are buses and trams going to the castle but R and I decided to do some more exercise and save some yen for presents

Back view : Facing Korakuen

Castle and Stone with Family Crest ?

 

Front View

 

View From the bridge connecting to the park

View from Korakuen

 

The Castle and the Park

 

R and I decided not to enter the castle anymore , we were both satisfied with what we have seen already.

Nagoya Castle : Part 2

Outer Tower

The Castle ( Side View )

Castle ( Front View )

A closer view

Closer

Usuki Castle

or rather what’s remained of it.

The towers

Usuki Castle

The Main Gate

A cannon ?

A view from the Castle ruins

Adventure in Nagoya

On my last solo adventure, I visited Nagoya on my way back to Osaka.  Got the chance to visit Nagoya Castle and ate their infamous Nagoya Tonkatsu.. yummy..

Kiyomasa's Stone Pulling

Nagoya's Water Seal

Nagoya Castle

Castles

Osaka Castle ( courtesy of Elmer and RJ )

Himeji Castle Hyogo Prefecture ( courtesy of Elmer and RJ )

Matsuyama Castle Ehime Prefecture

Iwakuni Castle Yamaguchi Prefecture