The steep, narrow, , sock-worn wooden staircases of Matsumoto castle are no joke. Inclines of 60 degrees as you juggle your shoe-holding bag, your camera bag, and your holding-on-for-dear-life bag.

A queue of schoolkids leads the climbing pack, with a group of eighty-somethings in hot pursuit. 5 levels up.

No photos on the stairs! But I snuck one.

It was totally worth the effort ( more photos to follow)….and we all agree, today was a leg day.