Peace & Pines at Ritsurin Garden

#summervacay Ritsurin Garden is straight-up serenity in garden form. Like, if you ever wanted to walk into a painting, this is the spot. It's huge, super well-kept, and just ridiculously pretty from every angle. There are ponds with koi fish, perfectly trimmed pine trees, tiny bridges, and even little teahouses tucked in like secrets. I spent most of my time just strolling aimlessly, stopping every few minutes to say “whoa” at another beautiful corner. It’s got that super chill, old-school Japanese vibe that makes you wanna speak in whispers and just… exist. There’s also a boat ride if you're feeling fancy, and the water is so clear you can literally see the koi following you. I grabbed a matcha and some sweets from the teahouse and just sat there like I had no worries in the world. It’s calm, gorgeous, and kind of magical. Zero rush, just good vibes and nature doing its thing. Ritsurin’s a total win.