Relay Talk

First, Tamamo Park. This citizens’ recreation area is a park laid out on the ruins of Takamatsu Castle. A poetic epithet for “Sanuki,” the old name of Kagawa Prefecture, is “Tamamoyoshi”; hence, the castle – one of Japan’s three biggest water castles – is also called “Tamamo Castle.” The moat draws water from the Seto Inland Sea, and you can see sea bream, rather than carp, swimming there. You can enjoy a fun event called “Taigan Joju (realization of a great ambition)” to feed the sea bream while crossing the moat on a Japanese-style boat ("tai" means sea bream, "jo" means castle).

Next, Yashima that can be called the symbol of Takamatsu. Now part of land, Yashima was once a roof-shaped island, which is reflected in the name. Yashima itself is a cultural heritage. It is a national historic site known as the scene of the Battle of Yashima in the Genpei Wars described in The Tale of the Heike which was transmitted by biwa (Japanese lute) players, and also a natural monument with a typical mesa. In addition, Yashima is the center of Setonaikai National Park, one of first Japan’s national parks designated in 1934. A mountaintop facility called “Yashimaru” was opened on the summit of Yashima last summer. This artistic 200-meter-long corridor-shaped building composed mostly of curved lines looks to me like a living creature that has been long lying stretched out to protect the whole Yashima. This spot commands the best view of the Seto Inland Sea and the city of Takamatsu, especially at sunset and at night.
Besides, the castle gate of Yashimanoki (Yashima Castle), an ancient mountain castle that was built in 667 by Emperor Tenji according to the “Chronicles of Japan,” was excavated and preserved.

The third site is Ritsurin Garden. Contrary to its name ("ritsurin" means “chestnut grove”), there are not many chestnut trees, while the spot is famous for pine, plum, and cherry blossoms. For some reason, it does not rank among the Three Great Gardens of Japan, but we believe it is in a different league. Takamatsu City accounts for about 80% of Japan’s production of pine bonsai that has been fast gaining popularity overseas in recent years. This is due to Ritsurin Garden boasting many beautiful pine trees. I have also heard that most every foreign landscape textbook mentions Ritsurin Garden. One may even say that the elegance of Japanese landscaping techniques starts from here.