Takamatsu Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Kaji

What Is a Private Guided Tour of Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was a solo traveler from North America who was visiting Japan for the third time. This time the guest was staying in Japan from late September to mid-October, with plans to travel through Tokyo, Kyoto, Matsue, Onomichi, Takamatsu, Naoshima, Kochi, Fukuoka, and Yakushima. Having heard from another guide about the guest beforehand, I felt there might be many requests and was a little cautious at first, but when we met, the guest turned out to be delightful. At first the guest said we could walk to Ritsurin Garden in about 20 minutes, but it was actually farther, and since it was a hot day, I persuaded the guest to use a taxi as originally planned. The guest had lived in several different places in North America before, and had previously worked in the medical field. At Ritsurin Garden, the guest was delighted to hear the call of a brown-eared bulbul. The guest also shared some strong political opinions and explained them in detail. At first the guest seemed a little difficult to approach, but gradually opened up, and it turned out to be an enjoyable tour to guide. A notable stop on the tour was Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu. Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan's most celebrated historical landscape gardens, originally created during the Edo period over the course of more than a century. The garden features six ponds, thirteen landscaped hills, and carefully placed stones, all set against the backdrop of Mount Shiun, which serves as borrowed scenery. Strolling along its winding paths, visitors can enjoy a series of ever-changing views designed in the traditional Japanese daimyo garden style, making it a peaceful and scenic highlight of any visit to Takamatsu.

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Tour Report by Kaji

Hello. My name is Hisao Kaji. I was born in 1945. I was raised in Takamatsu City from 3 years old. So, I have been living in Takamatsu for around 75 years. I believe I know Takamatsu City and the Kagawa prefecture area very well. If you come to Takamatsu, Kagawa I think you can enjoy your tour with me. I started a Government Licensed Guide in 2019. So, I have been a licensed guide for about 5 years. My favorite destinations are Naoshima, Teshima, Ritsurin Garden, the top of Mt. Yashima and so on. I always show you an itinerary about one month before your tour date, and I will accept any questions, other favorite places you want to visit. Communicating with you, I would like to accommodate your request for your tour. I always listen to NPR on the internet to know how the world is moving and improve my English. I like conversation based upon it with my life. I stayed in the USA for 8 months for a Power Systems Engineering Course conducted by General Electric in New York State when I was 28 years old. I sometimes talk about my memory of those days with the guests. I am very happy to guide tourists because I can see the guests become happy and enjoy themselves when I am guiding better. Nothing is more wonderful than that. I welcome your visit to Takamatsu City and Kagawa Prefecture. I believe you will have a pleasant time through my guide.