I don’t usually write “travel advice” posts, quite regularly when I see posts of people visiting Takamatsu and going to Ritsurin Garden, I think a few pieces of advice could come in handy. I heard it’s very beautiful at this time of the year. I had never really thought

  A few days ago, Blaine asked me if it was worth it to visit Ritsurin Park in the Fall. My short answer was “yes”. Here is my long answer (with not many more words though):        Note that those pictures were taken on December 4th, 2011. Just

    Kōdaiji is probably one of my favorite temples in Kyōto. Why? Because of its gardens.    

    This small stone building over the pond in the northern half of the Ritsurin Garden used to be a place to watch ducks during the Edo Period, and probably hunt them too. And actually that makes me wonder. If Japanese people used to eat ducks a few Centuries

  One of the good things about having Monday off is that one can avoid the week-end crowds for a few things, be it shopping or watching cherry blossoms in the most famous and beautiful park in the area. If on Sunday, any place that had cherry trees was invaded

  After visiting Okayama Castle, the next logical thing to do is usually to go visit the Kōrakuen, the garden, located on the other side of the Asahigawa. It originally was the Castle’s garden – or rather the Daimyō’s – but it is now Okayama’s garden. It is considered as one