Takamatsu, my first steps on Shikoku island

With racing heart and wide eyes, I came to Takamatsu, over the short tunnel and long train bridge over the sea with its naruto foiling inexperienced sailors. And because in the train and on the bridge I am not skilled enough to take decent pictures, only my  memory will paint it for my eyes.

 

Shikoku station is much welcoming, and I have no memory of how we got to the garden, though you can get to it by train or 2km walk. We probably walked and window shopped, stopping at every show with aaahs and ooohs. And being autumn, chrysantemum sculptures were displayed at the entrance as well.

 

 

Ritsurin garden felt a bit more compact and intimate. Lots of viewepoints and romatic rendez vous niche to have secret conversations and potting. It is a historical garden apparently, from the 17th century as well. Those feudal lords sure had some taste. Or really liked gardening.

 

The water formed a natural walking path around it, while the view beyond reinforced the natural elements and blur the line between the man made garden and the forest on the hills.

There is a boat tour, with special hats, and lots of huge koi fishes in the water. There are multiple cute buildings as well, used as tea houses, museum, to rest. And of course the classic elements of Japanese gardens: stone bridges in different forms, shaped pine trees.

 

I enjoyed the different play in lights  on the water in this garden. There was an infinite play of colours between the variants of greens, black and browns, but also the orange of the leaves.

 

Of course there was an element of cute among us, and truly beautiful. I would say it is a playful garden, with plenty of poetry and meditation done.