Today, I’m currently in Nagano leading my annual Autumn Leaves Nagano Photo tour with an emphasis on samurai and their rich history in Japan.  At the center of our photography and discussion today is Nagano’s Matsumoto Castle.  The participants on the current photo workshop and I have already enjoyed golden hour photography at this original samurai castle before breakfast while walking the castle grounds and exploring inside.  Matsumoto Castle originally known as Fukashi Castle was built in 1504 by Shimadashi Sadanaga; it was expanded and fortified throughout a few generations, and today you can view this Samurai Castle as it was viewed on completion in 1594.  Locally it is known as ‘Crow Castle,’ in Japanese, ‘Karasujo カラス城’,  as many of the exterior walls are painted a deep ebon, and from many perspectives on the castle grounds, it appears as if the towers are wings, spread wide to encompass all of the samurai lord’s domain.  Matsumoto Castle is one of twelve original Samurai castles that stand today and can only be viewed in The Land Of The Rising Sun.  All Japanese castles are spectacular and represent some important element of Japanese culture, Matsumoto Castle is no exception.  For nearly 300 years after its completion, and before its complete renovation during the Meiji Era, the castle was ruled by 23 lords of Matsumoto.  If you would like a more in-depth history and culture experience, many of my clients are discussing several days extension with me after their group photo workshop finish date, and some will book a 1-2 week private Japan photo workshop for later in 2023, and we will explore much more than Matsumoto Castle.  Since samurai and Japanese history are some of the interests of my participants, we are planning a venture to Nikko, Kagoshima, the Imperial Palace, the Yasukuni shrine and many other sacred and historical sites.  I will share some main points about the historically significant samurai figures who played a key role in the castle’s history from the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Oda Nobunaga, Takeda Shingen, and a few others as well, so as you fill your camera’s memory card to commemorate your visit, I will enrich your understanding about the significance of the castle and its preservation since its