The next day, bright and early, we left Takayama's Hotel Associa, with the staff waving goodbye as usual, and set off for Matsumoto. The colours of the trees were superb and we begged the driver to stop and let us take photographs. Having passed two excellent viewpoints, he finally stopped at a very dull spot. Narumi-san made him drive back! It was worth it, and we all took dozens of photos.

After the photo shoot, we moved on to a waterfall. It was very high - some 60m - and quite dramatic.

Above right, Chris, and below right, Chris and Narumi.

At the base of the waterfall was a hot pool , fed by very hot springs flowing from the mountainside. People were bathing their feet in the water.

Back to the coach and after yet more stunning Autumn colours...

...pausing at a large dam and reservoir...

...we arrived at Matsumoto at lunchtime. We went straight to the amazing castle.

The Castle (Matsumotojo) is one of the most complete and beautiful of Japan's castles. It is also a good example of "hirajiro", a castle built on the plain rather than on a hill or mountain. It dates from 1592

Back to the coach and now we were looking forward to views of Mount Fuji. But it was cloudy, and we saw nothing. Great disappointment all round. Now Chris chose to tell us that Fuji is elusive and can only be seen one day out of three. But suddenly at dusk, the clouds parted and we got a (very) brief glimpse. OK, it's a rotten photo, but it was from a fast-moving coach! And it is the elusive Fuji.