Matsumoto Third Millennium Gate

I stumbled upon this rather impressive building by architect Kyoshi Sei Takeyama on my way to see the castle. If there is one thing I would advise about visiting Matsumoto, it would be to walk rather than succumb to the lazy option of the tourist bus. It is in any case, less than half an hour's walk from the railway station to the castle and on the way you will stumble upon the tasteless but fascinating Frog Street, numerous temples, characterful old shops, bizarre museums...and this unexpected building. I do not normally succumb to Photoshop, but in this case it seemed kind of appropriate...