16 Jun 2023

Takamatsu's Timeless Ritsurin Gardens

Sailing into the port of Takamatsu, we disembarked Heritage Adventurer after breakfast and began with a visit to the enchanting Ritsurin Gardens, an Edo period daimyo garden designed for leisurely strolls. With its six ponds, thirteen landscaped hills, and a picturesque backdrop of Mount Shiun-zan, adorned with meticulously arranged rocks, lush greenery, and over 1,000 well-maintained pine trees, the garden's beauty was truly captivating. It was no wonder that the garden had received the esteemed designation of being one of Japan's Special Places of Scenic Beauty.

Our next destination led us to the charming neighbourhood of Kinashi, renowned for its bonsai cultivation for more than 250 years. This small township housed approximately 270 bonsai specialists responsible for producing around 80% of Japan's pine trees. Bonsai, meaning 'planted in a pot', involved the art of miniaturising and shaping trees to create harmony with nature within the confines of a pot. We learned about three main bonsai varieties, including Kuromatsu with its textured bark and evergreen colour, Goyomatsu known for its beautiful needles and easy cultivation, and Nishikimatsu originating from Takamatsu, exuding a strong sense of age with its deep bark texture.

After lunch, we ventured to the Shikoku Mura Open-Air Architecture Museum which showcased restored traditional family houses and factories from Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, and Tokushima prefectures. Highlights included the soy sauce and sugar storage sheds, the Okunoshima Lighthouse, the serene Somegataki Waterfalls, and Shikoku Mura Gallery, which housed a diverse collection of traditional swords, carvings, Buddha images, and scrolls. The day's exploration continued with a visit to Yashima Temple, a Shingon temple situated on a lava plateau northeast of Takamatsu. From this vantage point, we marvelled at the panoramic views of the harbour and city below. Yashima Temple is a popular destination for both pilgrims and visitors alike. Some of us also made a stop at the ruins of the 16th-century Takamatsu Castle before returning to Heritage Adventurer. Our farewell from Takamatsu was accompanied by a captivating Shodo Calligraphy performance by a talented group from the local high school.

Image (c) by: R.Morris