GIANT PUMPKIN! Have you ever seen something so wonderfully absurd?

Words fail me at a time like this.

And here's the yellow pumpkin's red sister.

Polka dotted pumpkin.

View from inside the pumpkin.

Figured I'd take a break from all the art with this picture of Sumiyoshi Shrine.

I certainly did not expect to find a James Bond museum on a small island off the coast of Japan. But, I was delighted by its presence nonetheless!

First published in 2002, The Man With The Red Tattoo is a James Bond novel written by Raymond Benson (the official author behind Die Another Day). As I soon found out upon entering the museum, the novel takes place in Naoshima.

Fans of 007 will also recall that Japan was the stage for Ian Fleming's You Only Live Twice (both the novel and the film). Naoshima residents are so proud of their James Bond connection that they erected this museum to educate guests about the novel.

My guess is that this giant heart installation piece has something to do with the novel.

Wall hanging from Thunderball.

Another wall hanging. This place was chock full of memorabilia, posters, and props from the various films.

I'll end with this artwork further evidencing Naoshima's deep love of 007. The city of Takamatsu actually has an official committee whose sole job is to petition EON Productions in London to have a future Bond film take place in Japan.

A Green Thumb (栗林公園)

Ritsurin Park is unarguably the biggest tourist attraction in Takamatsu City. With buildings dating back to the early 1600s, the park is considered to be among the most beautiful and historically significant in Japan.

Though, to be fair, it is worth noting that Ritsurin is not considered one of Japan's "Three Great Gardens." They are:

*Kairakuen (Mito)

*Kenrokuen (Kanazawa)

*Korakuen (Okayama)

Of the three, I have only been to Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prejecture.

Ritsurin Park is situated against Mt. Shuin on the western side, and contains six ponds and thirteen different hills of varying sizes for sightseeing. The site was designated a Japanese Narional Treasure in 1953.

Please enjoy the pictures below.

B.E.W.

This warm and friendly face ushers you into Ritsurin Park. Nothing fits with the whole garden aesthetic quite like the statue of an old man who seems to be screaming, "Get OFF my lawn you young whippersnappers!"

This was the first tree I saw upon entering the park.

The same techniques used to raise a small, potted bonsai applied to this big guy here.

Out of all my pictures, I like this one the best!

Another supremely well manicured tree. I lucked out with gorgeous weather during my visit to the park.

Some of the tree branches had this weird grass-like stuff growing off them. For some reason, these branches always reminded me of human arms.

Bridge to somewhere.

What would a Japanese garden be without koi? No garden you'd ever see me in that's what! For just 80 Yen, one could buy a long stick of fry bread to feed to the hungry fish. There were plenty of little kids having a ball so I passed.