We have enjoyed staying in Takamatsu at the Daiwa Roynet Hotel in the heart of the city. At first it seemed odd to us that the hotel starts at the 8th floor with the lower floors providing parking, shops etc. Nonetheless, it has worked out well and being positioned on one of the longest covered shopping streets in Japan with plenty of restaurants and activities was fun. Our concern though was what do we do with our trikes? Should we fold them and take them to our room? Or, could we bring them up to the lobby for storage? However, as is the way in Japan, if there is a problem, a solution will be found. The manager took us under his wing and escorted us to the basement where rental bikes are available and there is parking for bikes. Despite it not being affiliated to the hotel, he organized it so that it was free for our stay and we could come and go as we pleased. As well, despite being beautifully attired and very petite, he insisted on helping Barry carry our bags…problem solved…Arigato gozimaus!
We went for a stroll to check out the neighbourhood and had dinner. I can’t say what the restaurant is called as it is always in Japanese, but we liked it. It is a modest place with very good and reasonably priced food. Plus we benefitted from a senior discount! Barry had a delicious set meal. The chef really looked after us as we were struggling how to order the food on the provided iPad. It was completely in Japanese.
Ron SeguinThat’s Café Restaurant (レストラン) Gusto (グスト). It’s a nationwide chain, always good when you’re tired and hungry and don’t want to spend time searching out a restaurant on Google, only to find it closed. Reply to this comment 3 months ago
This month on the islands near Takamatsu, there is an open air art festival. We have decided not to go as it will be very busy and the accommodation (if you can find it) the price is inflated. It is called the Setouchi Triennale.
We rode our trikes to a mall to visit a Montbell outdoor store. We needed a few things. As dogs aren’t allowed, this forlorn looking fellow was waiting patiently for his owner. We tried to chat with him, but he kept his eyes focused on a possible sighting of his owner.
Due to it being National Sports Day, there were special things going on. The little girl was looking at this character in awe and then rushed up for a hug.
Barry had read about the Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu. It is reputed to be one of the top 3 gardens in Japan. This is a high endorsement as Japan has many beautiful gardens. It is going to be a hot walk around this vast garden as it continues to be humid and is once again 30 degrees.
Ritsurin Garden was established 400 years ago. 6 ponds and 13 landscaped hills have been strategically placed in front of the green vista of Mt. Shi-in-zan. Seasonal flowers and 1000 pine trees are carefully cared for by a team of gardeners. Some of these pine trees are over 300 years old. This is Japan’s largest Cultural Property Garden. In Michelin Green Guide Japan, Ritsurin Garden has been been given the highest rating of three stars.
Shoko Shoreikan- information on Ritsurin garden’s history and local traditional crafts are available inside the building.
The koi are conditioned to have expectations of food when they see people on the bridge. It is fascinating to see this blaze of colour coming toward you as they rush to be fed.
A happy turtle cruising around the pond on this humid day. There was a sign warning visitors not to touch the turtles as they would probably try to bite you.
The infrastructure is excellent. We like that the park is maintained in a style that honours its history. There was a warning that visitors in wheelchairs should choose a different, less bumpy route.
Karen PoretI have purchased a few of these at a coffee vendor here in CA over the past year. They are, indeed, unique in their shape! Reply to this comment 3 months ago
