Tag: castle
Our 2026 holiday: Castell Caernarfon
Our holiday visit to Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Wales. Built by Edward I, this massive fortress offers views of the Menai Strait, museums, and a legacy of royal investitures. Discover practical visiting tips, including accessibility updates, family activities, and the castle's unique 13th-century origins and layout.
Our 2026 holiday: Penrhyn Castle
As members, it's inevitable that we would end up at a National Trust property in Wales. We didn't manage to squeeze in Pehrhyn Castle on last year's holiday, but we made an afternoon visit this year. Built in the 19th century, this opulent country house blends Gothic architecture with a complex past linked to slate and slavery. Discover its impressive Great Hall, expansive grounds, and essential visitor information for your next visit to this historic site.
松江城 お堀の遊覧船
Taken at 2026-05-24 Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/spiegel/55289861084/ 地元民なのに今まで一度も乗ったことのない堀川遊覧船に乗ってきました。
松江城 お城まつり 2026
今年は 2026-03-25 から 2026-04-08 の期間で開催されました。「ばけばけ」人気にあやかってか県外や海外の観光客も多く，比較的天気に恵まれたこともあって（田舎にしては）沢山の人がいました。 毎年お城まつりでは武将や忍者のコスプレをした人が歩き回っているのですが，今年はラピュタのロボットのコスプレ？着ぐるみ？がいてビックリです。写真を撮られまくってました。 お土産に栗まんじゅうを買ってったり。
3月27日は「さくらの日」らしい
Taken on 2025-03-29 , Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/spiegel/54415681327/ 気候として今が春分の次候である桜始開（さくらはじめてひらく）に入ってるのと，さくら→3×9=27 の連想で3月27日を「さくらの日」としているそうな。 39（ザンク）で麻雀の点数を連想する私は汚れてますかね（笑）
First Day in Osaka, or WHY IS IT SO HOT?
Due to the time zones and international date line, I lost a day. I left home Friday morning and arrived Saturday night. After getting out of customs and into the airport, I was amazed at just how hot and humid it was. The place is massive and so it took a bit to find where to buy tickets because there were a lot of different options. Google gave me a plethora of ways to get to the hotel, and after skipping Friday and not sleeping and how bloody hot it was I just went with the advice from Walk Japan to take the Haruko Limited Express to Shin-Osaka. I found that ticket machine and then had no idea how to go about buying it because that wasn’t exactly straight forward… Or maybe it was and I was just addled. Thankfully a really nice attendant, who spoke English perfectly offered to help me. I mention she spoke perfect English only because while I’m good at the “we don’t speak the same language let’s try to communicate anyway” shuffle, see previous comment about the weather and my likely delirious state.
Albrechtsburg Meißen
Albrechtsburg an der Elbe im Winter
Schloss Charlottenburg
Schloss Charlottenburg