What Is a Private Day Tour of Takamatsu Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ritsurin Garden and the Isamu Noguchi Museum

The group was originally planning to come as a larger party, but one member could not join due to a sudden illness, so the group arrived together. They seemed to have traveled together often with the same members, and were a very cheerful and friendly group. Some of them were interested in history, and while guiding them through Ritsurin Garden and showing them visual materials, I explained Japanese history. They listened very attentively and fired off a variety of questions one after another. Others were fond of plants and asked me the names of this and that, but I regret that I couldn't immediately recall the English names for plants such as sago palm. They were also amazed by the shape of the pine branches and the appetite of the carp. They seemed satisfied with lunch at Cafe de Ritsurin, where they again asked many questions about the ingredients. They were also more pleased than I expected with the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, and peppered the curator with questions. One of them made a somewhat cool remark, saying "a stone is just a stone," but from there the conversation about each person's view of art became lively again. They were truly delightful people. A notable stop on the tour was Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu. Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan's most celebrated historical landscape gardens, developed over many years during the Edo period by the local feudal lords. It is known for its beautifully arranged ponds, hills, carefully pruned pine trees, and borrowed scenery of the surrounding Mount Shiun, making it a popular destination for visitors interested in traditional Japanese garden design.

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Tour Report by Karen

Hello! My name is Kaoru(Karen) Yamakawa.　
Before becoming a guide, I worked as a Reuters journalist for over 30 years. I have a deep love of Japanese history and culture, which I continue to study every day. I would be delighted to help you experience all that Japan has to offer.
I am a certified Japanese language teacher and I currently work as a Japanese language teacher as well.
I enjoy daily jogging and would be happy to accompany anyone who would like to go for a run in Japan, at a location of their choice.
I live in Tokyo, but I also have a base in Kyoto and visit around ten times a year. I am very knowledgeable about Kyoto’s shrines and temples.