English version — Carp, Softshell Turtles, and Slowpoke — Do Yadon Dream of Udon?

I live in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Let me start with a simple invitation:

“Takamatsu is worth visiting at least once.”

When people hear “Kagawa,” they often think of:

• Udon noodles
• Olives
• Shodoshima Island
• The Setouchi Triennale art festival

All of that is true.

Kagawa is a place where food, islands, art, and travel
fit together in a surprisingly compact way.

According to a 2025 domestic tourism survey,
Kagawa ranked first in overall visitor satisfaction.

One of its quiet treasures is Ritsurin Garden.

It’s not counted among Japan’s famous “Three Great Gardens,”
but it easily stands alongside them.

Inside the garden are ponds, small waterfalls,
and winding paths that feel almost like a miniature theme park.

In one of those ponds live
carp, softshell turtles, and sometimes catfish.

Visitors can buy simple wheat snacks nearby
and feed the animals.

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The “attitude” of carp and turtles

When food hits the water,
the carp approach slowly and gracefully.

They glide toward it with confidence and calm.

Watching them, I often think about life—
about relationships, job hunting, or even business.

Then suddenly, a head shoots up from the water.

A softshell turtle.

In a split second, it grabs the food and disappears.

This scene always reminds me:

It’s not about being aggressive.
It’s about showing intent through attitude.

The carp and the turtle represent two extremes—
grace and speed.

As Muhammad Ali once said:

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

Having access to both modes
is sometimes what really matters.

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Prompting AI works the same way

This idea applies surprisingly well
to how we talk to AI.

When we give vague, overly polite prompts,
AI struggles to respond clearly.

That’s not a failure of AI.
It’s often a lack of material.

• What role do you want the AI to play?
• What kind of output do you expect?
• What assumptions should it start from?

When we offer those clearly—
calmly like a carp, decisively like a turtle—
AI responds much more effectively.

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Do Slowpoke dream of udon?

In Kagawa, the Pokémon Slowpoke (Yadon)
has even been used in tourism campaigns.

Slowpoke, with its relaxed nature,
might be sitting by the pond at Ritsurin Garden,
dreaming of udon noodles.

Grace like a carp.
Speed like a turtle.
And the gentle slowness of Slowpoke.

Perhaps that’s a good rhythm
for relationships between humans and AI as well.

Standing by the pond, that’s what I find myself thinking.

So, in the end, my message is simple:

Kagawa is a wonderful place.
Please come and visit someday.

And when you plan your trip,
try asking the AI next to you—
not just what to do,
but how you want to travel.

You might be surprised
by the journey that unfolds.