One of the many wonderful things about Japan is that there are gardens everywhere. Small, medium, and large, all meticulously groomed and cared for. Palaces have gardens. Shrines and temples have gardens. Old castles have them, too. Most gardens were built for rulers and their various wives and consorts.

The two gardens we visited in Takamatsu provided a nice respite from early morning ferry runs to the islands. Ritsurin Garden and Takamatsu Castle.

One day, we took a bus to Ritsurin Garden. Figuring out and navigating the different modes of transportation we used was a consistent thread that ran through our trip. We tried them all and managed to get to where we were going, with the help of patient passengers and staff.

Ritsurin Garden is considered to be one of Japan’s finest historic gardens, known for its size, beautiful seasonal scenery, and centuries-old black pines. Hit the link for all the history. It was beautiful, and Debbie’s favorite of the gardens we visited.

Takamatsu Castle is now a historic park beside Takamatsu Port. Some of its structures have been restored but much was destroyed in the 1800s during the fall of the feudal system. People don’t tend to visit the castle but since we had the time we did and really enjoyed it.