Shikoku Takamatsu - Night Views x Maple Leaves x Design

Last November, when we arrived in Takamatsu, our first stop was Yashima. At the Shishi-no-Reigan Observatory, we overlooked Takamatsu City and the Seto Inland Sea. By the time we reached the mountain, it was already dark. Our family of four groped through Yashima Temple, one of the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku, and were greeted by a stunning night view! Takamatsu may not be considered a big city by Hong Kong standards, but its flat urban landscape creates a unique and breathtaking night scene. From the heights, looking down at the tranquil city, the photo-like view was deeply etched in our minds. On the first day of our trip, our family fell in love with this place. But the surprises of Yashima go beyond the night scenery. Next to the observatory is the Yashima Mountain Exchange Center, a masterpiece of architecture completed in 2022. This curved viewing corridor seems to compete with the romantic night scenery in terms of architectural aesthetics, making it hard to decide where to focus your gaze. Adding to the beauty are the outdoor maple leaves. The night maples, paired with the distant city lights, rival the famous maple viewing spots like Kankakei and Ritsurin Garden. The city's nightscape, the red maples, and the architectural beauty complement each other, creating a chorus of exclamations on Yashima Mountain. To create an unforgettable spot, some regrets are inevitable. Unfortunately, we went up the mountain at night and couldn't enjoy the sunset from the west-facing observatory. If we could have seen the sunset with the evening glow, accompanied by the gradually falling night, it would have been unimaginably beautiful and awe-inspiring.