Ritsurin-koen Garden, Takamatsu

Japan's largest garden might also be its most beautiful: constructed over a hundred years, Ritsurin-koen is a blissfully peaceful landscape of shady groves, tree-lined paths, and hills providing views of still, tranquil lakes dotted with islands planted with exquisitely manicured trees. Languorously wandering its paths for an hour or two is a complete escape from the city's crowds and noise, and will leave you totally relaxed and refreshed.