A very early start today as we caught the 6:40am train to Otsuki, where we got some Japanese style breakfast, then continued our journey to Matsumoto, where we’ll stay for the next 2 days. Many Japanese trains are decorated with various themes, and this morning we caught the Thomas the Tank Engine themed train.

We are really enjoying walking the streets of Matsumoto. Lovely old buildings and gardens, shrines and temples, statues and fresh spring water everywhere. I even found some street art.

We finally got our Yayoi Kusama fix! She was born in Matsumoto and there is a permanent exhibition at the Museum of Art. It was fabulous, but there was a strict no photography rule (apart from the pumpkin). Luckily there were a few pieces outside the gallery that we could snap. We wandered through some other exhibits at the gallery while we were there.

The main attraction in Matsumoto is Matsumoto Castle, the oldest of the original 12 castles of Japan’s feudal age. It is an imposing sight.

After leaving the castle we came across Frog Street, an atmospheric lane of shops selling frog themed items, as well as several frog statues, and even a froggy shrine.  Seems frogs are significant in Matsumoto – here’s the story!