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I recently had the pleasure of visiting Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu. It is a large, sprawling, historic garden located in the center of the city. The garden was designated as a prefectural garden in 1875 by the Meiji Government, but has been around since the Edo Period in the 17th century. It is around 400 years old. The Japanese Government designated Ritsurin as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1953.

The elegant simplicity and peaceful aura of the garden fills you with a unique sense of serenity. The garden just calls out the power of nature and offers you a place to enjoy and reflect. The grounds have a few ponds with Japanese carp (koi); a very nice giftshop with special teas, udon, and fans; and there is also a teahouse on the property.

The garden is open every day with free admission on 1 January and 16 March. Cost is 410 yen for adults and 170 yen for children. To get there from Takamatsu Station you can walk in about 15-20 minutes; take the JR train from Takamatsu Station to JR Ritsurin Station and walk 3 minutes; or take the bus and get off in front of the park.

If you are looking for a pleasant, peaceful place to walk, relax, and think, then I think Ritsurin will fit the bill. If you are ever in Takamatsu, stop by and give it a try!