National Geographic Resolution spent the day in Takamatsu, the largest city on Shikoku Island. We all visited Ritsurin Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. The pine trees, ponds, lotus flowers, and arched bridges were particularly beautiful against the steep mountainside.
We visited the Kinashu Bonsai Farm where we learned about the meticulous process of growing these decorative trees. It’s amazing that it takes decades to raise these trees before they are put in trays.
Some of the guests visited the flat-topped Mount Yashima, where we saw a great overlook over the city and inland sea. We saw the Yashima Temple, which is one of the Buddhist temples on the Shikoku pilgrimage route, so there were pilgrims dressed in white. Other guests visited the Shikoku-Mura Museum where we saw a variety of folk houses and other structures from the 1800s. We climbed the stone steps to see thatched roof houses, waterfalls, and bamboo forests, but the most memorable experience was crossing the wood and twine suspension bridge.
Before dinner, a local group of Shogun-era riflemen gave us a demonstration on the pier. It was powerful, with several muskets being fired together or in succession.
