A Surprisingly Fun Encounter in Ritsurin Garden

Hi, I’m TAKA.

The other day, I visited Ritsurin Garden with a guest.

The garden was absolutely beautiful,
and we enjoyed an authentic Japanese tea ceremony together.

But strangely enough…

the most unforgettable moment happened right at the exit.

The “Bald Head Club”

Near the exit, we suddenly noticed a group of older men
wearing bright yellow jackets and standing beside colorful banners.

The name written on the banner was:

“Koto-kai” (光頭会)

In Japanese, this roughly translates to
“The Shining Head Club” or “Bald Head Association.”

Yes — it was literally a cheerful group of bald men.

Even after living in Kagawa for many years,
I had never seen anything like it before.

I honestly stopped and said:
“Wait… what is happening here?”

Everyone Was Happy

Naturally, my guest noticed them too.

“Who are those people?” they asked.

When I explained that they were basically a local “bald head club,”
the reaction was immediate:

“No way! That’s hilarious!”

And honestly… it was.

But not in a mean way.
The atmosphere was incredibly warm and friendly.

Local Celebrities

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo,
but I did receive a small leaflet from them.

According to the pamphlet,
the group was founded in 2008
to bring smiles to visitors at Ritsurin Garden.

They even volunteer by polishing visitors’ shoes.

Locally, they are surprisingly well-known —
almost like unofficial mascots of the area.

They happily talk with tourists, joke around,
and create a fun atmosphere wherever they go.

Turning a Complex into a Charm

What impressed me most was this:

Instead of hiding something that many people might feel insecure about,
they embraced it completely.

And turned it into humor, kindness, and connection.

That confidence made them genuinely charming.

The Kind of Experience You Can’t Plan

Travel is not only about famous places or beautiful scenery.

Sometimes, the moments you remember most
are these completely unexpected human encounters.

Moments that are impossible to find in guidebooks.

And I think that’s one of the best parts of traveling in Japan.

Maybe You’ll Meet Them Too

If you’re lucky,
you might run into the “Shining Head Club” yourself one day at Ritsurin Garden.

And if you want experiences beyond ordinary sightseeing,
I’d love to help you discover these kinds of unique local moments in Kagawa.