A perfect day trip from Kobe or Osaka would be to Shikoku, an island just off the south-west coast of Japan.  It is a short ride from Okayama by the Marine Liner rapid train, over the great Seto Ohashi bridge. 
There are several lovely spots to visit in Shikoku. Here are two highlights – a picture perfect garden and an imposing castle – both within very short train rides from each other.

Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu is the most beautiful garden we have ever seen.

A 3-minute walk from JR Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi station is this 400 year-old Japanese garden, sprawled over 185 acres, with Mount Shiun providing a majestic backdrop. It has all types of Japanese plants and bonsai, six koi ponds with pretty bridges, many landscaped hills and one tree that is really special – the Japanese cherry tree which signals the start of the cherry blossom season all over Japan and is monitored carefully each spring. You can feed the fish in a carp pond, both from the shore and from the stepping stones in the water on which you should tread delicately. Scenic bridges and vast swathes of green, crowned by a waterfall and a lotus pond, will soothe and charm your eyes and mind. We even saw a largish snake slithering across the path before us – not really meant as an attraction, we presume!

We were told that spring is the best time to visit, when cherry and peach blossoms adorn the garden. But any time of the year would be delightful because there are spectacular views wherever you look. The artistry that has gone into its design over four centuries is unmatched anywhere else.

A great place to take a break is the Kikugetsu-tei teahouse where you can sip aromatic Japanese green tea while viewing the gorgeous South Pond from the tea house. We had a nice Japanese meal there.

Marugame castle

A short ride from Takamatsu station to Marugame station and then a 15-minute walk will bring you to the magnificent Marugame Castle!

The Castle poses an imposing sight with its towering stone walls, sixty meters tall, built with layer upon layer of large rocks. The walls of the Castle are known as Ougi no Kobai as they resemble the shape of a Japanese folding fan. The moat surrounding the castle is the home of many small turtles, many of which can be seen basking in the sunshine.
The tenshu, or castle keep, is the fortified tower that comprises the tallest part of a Japanese castle. The keep here is made entirely of wood, unusual for Japan and well preserved despite being nearly 400 years old.

To get to the castle proper, you have to walk up a steep slope. This is called a mikaeri slope, meaning “turn and look back behind you”. And indeed, you will often find yourself doing just that! This sloped path has lush greenery on both sides, and sunlight peeps through the leaves of the trees creating a charming and peaceful ambiance. Yes, it does take a bit of effort to get to the top, but it is really worth it
Once on top, you can go to the Former Moon Viewing Tower which offers a panoramic view. You can see Mount Lino, also known as Sanuki Fuji, Marugame city, the surrounding beauty of the countryside and, at a distance, the Inland Sea, the body of water separating Shikoku from Honshu to the north.

The small central tower of Marugame Castle has nice little displays of samurai helmets, swords and armour, and photographs of Japan’s other fortresses. If you are lucky you will find a pretty grove of cherry trees in flower on the second top level.

A lovely way to spend a day!

Beautiful Shikoku, Japan

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Leisurely Drives
Ritsurin Koen, Takamatsu
Beautiful Shikoku, Japan
Kobe – The perfect base to explore Japan
Odaiba – Getaway from busy Tokyo
A Glimpse of Osaka – Japan
Mount Aso – Japan
Scenic Hokkaido – Japan’s North Island
Japanese Ryokan – Our Experience
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