Kishiwada Castle

It's been such a treat to live right next to so many pieces of history.  I've already talked about the shrine next door, but I've put off talking about the nearby castle...until now, that is.

The Kishiwada Castle has been around since the beginning of the Edo Period, although the records of exactly when, why, and for whom it was constructed are lost.  Its first (and only) recorded Daimyo lineage is the Okabe family, who ruled this area that was at the time called Kishuu.

Now, the castle (like the one in Osaka) is a museum, although it is much smaller in scale.  Nevertheless, the view of the castle on the neighborhood skyline is nothing short of majestic, and only increases in grandeur as you approach the grounds.

To truly appreciate the aesthetics of this area, I started on the very outer edges and worked my way in.  The outer moats, it so happens, contain large flows of lotus flowers.

Luckily I went before the summer heat came blasting in, so I got to see the lotus in bloom.

I wheeled around the outside of the castle (on my mini Japanese bicycle), past the Kishiwada town hall adjacent to the northern battlements, and up over the outer moat to the central bridge leading to the main bailey.

It was here in a small park in front of the castle that I found something wholly incongruous with my preconception of a Japanese castle: this li'l guy.

...a MONKEY!?

Seriously, if somebody told me that I would find an ancient-looking monkey in front of a Japanese castle, I would never have believed them.  And this monkey is definitely ancient; he has most definitely hit his stride and has LONG since moved on.

After that particular oddity, I went into the main grounds, where I found that they had constructed a rock garden right in front of the castle.  It wasn't until I got up into the upper levels and got a good view that I could see the design of it.

It is laid out so that each set of rocks corresponds to either different elements, different celestial bodies, or different mythological or legendary creatures.  I thought it was quite impressive.  From the lookout on the castle roof I got a good view of the neighborhood I've been living in.

Looking out at this lovely town, and looking back at the places I've been in this lovely country, it's hard to believe it's coming to a close.  I do certainly hope I can return someday.  It would definitely be worth it.