The weather was super nice today. The sky was so blue that it looked like it had been drawn with colored markers, with white clouds floating across it one by one. It was a perfectly sunny day for an outing! Today’s destination was Tamamo Park in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, the site of the once-famous Takamatsu Castle.
As soon as I entered the park, the first thing that caught my attention was the vast green moat. Whenever I read about castle defenses in books, I always assumed moats were filled with ordinary freshwater. It wasn’t until I read the nearby information that I learned this one is actually filled directly with seawater from the Seto Inland Sea, which is very unusual! The water was clean and calm, sparkling in the sunlight, with clear reflections of the lush pine trees and old stone walls along the shore. Looking at the reflections in front of me and feeling the cool breeze was so relaxing.
Walking slowly along the path, I came to the coolest-looking structure in the park—the Ushitora Turret. When I stood directly below it and looked up, it was truly magnificent! The white walls and layered, upturned roofs sit on a stone base assembled from enormous blocks of stone. It looked incredibly sturdy, and the craftsmanship back then was really impressive. I immediately took out my phone, crouched down, and snapped a photo looking upward. The sky happened to have a faint orange glow from the evening sunset, giving the picture the epic feel of a historical drama!
After making a loop around the park, I found the surroundings very quiet and peaceful. I used to feel that history was very distant from me, but seeing these centuries-old buildings and the seawater moat with my own eyes made me realize how cool it is to actually walk through a place from history. I took so many photos I was happy with today. It was truly a fun and rewarding day!
The Historical Remains of Takamatsu Castle (Tamamo Park) | Review by Eddie
Other Reviews by Eddie
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Osaka Castle Park
Nationally designated special historical site, Osaka Castle Ruin, and the surrounding area were renovated into an urban park. 13 buildings of important cultural properties including Osaka Castle Main Tower, watchtowers and gates dot the vast 261-acre premises.
Osaka Castle is really a great place for a walk in spring, especially around the moat. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the entire view becomes so beautiful.
As you slowly walk along the South Outer Moat, you can see a whole row of cherry trees alongside the tall stone walls and the moat. It's very different from the usual city scenery. The pink cherry blossoms against the old castle walls look beautiful from any angle, so it's no wonder the cherry blossom season attracts so many people every year.
Walking by the moat, you can sometimes see petals drifting in the wind and landing on the water, making you want to stop and watch for a little longer. Although there are quite a few people during cherry blossom season, you can still find an angle you like as you slowly walk along the moat.
If you have the chance to visit Osaka in spring, it's really worth making time for a walk around Osaka Castle. You don't necessarily have to rush from one attraction to another. Just strolling under the cherry trees and taking photos already gives you that feeling of being on a trip.
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Kibitsu-jinja Shrine
Located at the northwestern foot of Kibi Nakayama, which is revered as the mountain of God, the main deity is Okibitsuhiko no Mikoto. The main shrine, which is designated as a national treasure, and the worship hall are directly connected, and is the only architectural style in Japan, "Kibitsu-zukuri." It was burnt down due to two fire incidents, but was rebuilt in 1425 during the time of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga.
When traveling to Okayama, besides shopping and enjoying the scenery of the old streets, you can also make time to visit a shrine. Kibitsu-jinja Shrine has a very peaceful atmosphere. Compared with bustling tourist attractions, it feels more relaxed here, and once you enter the shrine, you can slow down the pace of your trip for a while.
Japanese shrines always have a special charm. From the torii gates and approach to the traditional architecture, every part has its own distinctive character. Even if you aren't particularly interested in shrine culture, you can still enjoy an atmosphere unlike ordinary streets simply by taking a walk and admiring the architecture.
Not every place on a trip has to be lively. Sometimes walking around a shrine and looking at the surrounding scenery can leave you with a different kind of memory. If you have a chance to visit Okayama, you can also add a shrine to your itinerary and experience the charm of traditional Japanese culture.
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Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
The traditional streets of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter feature white walled warehouses, grid pattern walls, Namako-kabe, and rows of weeping trees, creating a beautiful and charming townscape. This harmonious and historic scenery is very popular with tourists.
When visiting Okayama, the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is well worth walking around. It's different from the usual bustling shopping streets. As you stroll along the Kurashiki River, you can see traditional white buildings, black roof tiles, and willow trees along the riverbank. The entire streetscape has a lot of character.
I really like places like this that preserve the atmosphere of an old town. You don't need to plan anything special. Just walking slowly along the river and taking photos is enough to enjoy the leisurely pace of traveling. There are also many distinctive little shops, cafes, and souvenir stores nearby, where you can browse and discover some interesting little things.
If you have enough time, you can also watch the small boats on the river and admire the old streets from a different perspective. Compared with constantly rushing through an itinerary and visiting many attractions, I think places like this, where you can slow down, actually make it easier to enjoy traveling.
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter isn't just a photogenic attraction. It also gives you a chance to see what traditional Japanese streets look like. If you're planning a trip to Okayama, I highly recommend setting aside some time to walk around here and slowly appreciate the charm of this town.
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