Despite the presence of Ritsurin Park – considered to be one of the country’ finest gardens Shikoku is the least visited of Japan’s four main islands. Populated by herons and cranes, Takamatsu’s beautiful park dates back to the 17th century and is a fine example of a landscaped promenade garden (kaiyu). Stroll through the park in the calm of early morning (it opens at 6:30am) before the tour groups with megaphone and flag-wielding guides arrive and you’ll see why this verdant space has a stellar reputation. And when you’ve had your fill of tranquility and teahouses, head to Takamatsu’s temples and historical buildings of Shikoku-mura

The best course follows the winding path, bordered with low bamboo, camellias and stones, from the east gate through the south park. Each turn of the track brings stunning, peaceful views of the southern pond, its islets and the. The three islets each have a distinctive feature: Kaeda-jima’s maples burst into flaming red in the fall, in a departure from the common form of Japanese gardening Tennoyo-jima has severe Edo period-style box hedges (hako-zukuri) and a stone pagoda, Token-jima lost its original trees in the Meiji period and regained its former beauty with a later replanting.

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