In mid-November my secondary school organized a parent-teachert trip. I decided to attend because it was only ¥3000 (about $30) and included transportation, lunch, and entrance to the tour locations. The school chartered a tour bus and we went to Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four big islands. Unfortunately it rained for most of the trip, but it was still enjoyable. During the drive the tour bus staff made sure to keep us happy and entertained with drinks (both alcoholic and not), snacks, bingo (with prizes) and TV programs. The bingo games lasted until everyone had won a prize. I received a bottle of Febreze, and cute panda magnet, and a hand towel. How practical!

Our first stop was at Ritsurin Garden. Looking at some older pictures online, it appears the garden recently painted this bridge red, and it looks amazing. One of my favorite Japan photos so far.

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My co-worker offered to take a picture of me at the garden.

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The pine tree below is impressively huge! It’s been shaped very flat and round, completely supported from underneath. I think it was perhaps about 20+ feet in diameter.

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Next we had lunch at a nice hotel, though everyone thought the meal was so-so. Even the vice-principal, who is considered as a kind of chef by my co-workers, said it was just alright when I asked him what he thought. After lunch most of the group opted to climb 700 steps at the local temple (in the rain), and I decided to enjoy a nice long soak in the hotel’s hot spring. I had the place to myself, and it was amazing.