RITSURIN GARDEN, A GRAND JAPANESE GARDEN WITH 3-STAR GREEN MICHELIN

Ritsurin Garden is the largest of all the Japanese gardens designated Places of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese Government and is known for being one of the most beautiful, too. This circuit style daimyo garden – a style of Japanese gardens with a pond at the center, designed to be strolled around – was originally built by the successive feudal lords of Takamatsu-han during the Edo period aand took more than 100 years to complete. Walking in the garden, you will see a variety of flora blooming during each season, creating different scenery during different times of the year. With Shiunzan (Mt. Shiun) as backdrop, 13 ponds and six artificial hills have been strategically placed, with paths arranged around the ponds so that visitors can stroll around the garden, appreciating the scenery.

Among the variety of flowers and trees for all seasons, particularly beautiful and worthwhile seeing are the well-tended pine trees. There are more than 1000 of these trees in the park, which have been carefully maintained and handed down through generations. These trees have increasingly earned a reputation both domestically and internationally during recent years. One example of their fame is the Michelin Green Guide: Japan, which has awarded these trees a three-star rating. It takes roughly one-and-a-half to two hours to slowly walk around the entire park. There are many places where you can take short breaks to appreciate the scenery, including cafés, teahouses and souvenir shops.

Takatoshi Ikoma began building Ritsurin Garden including the South Pond. The successive lords are said to have enjoyed the garden views via boat on the pond. Today, you can also experience boat-riding on the pond to relax and appreciate the garden (*prior booking required).

Fee: Adult 610 yen / Child 300 yen (primary and secondary school student)
Boat charter 7,320 yen up to 1 hour (only between 8:00 and 9:00)
Hours: Starting from 9:00, one boat departs every 30 min.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes (including embarkation/debarkation)
*Tickets are available at the East Gate ticket counter.

Enjoy the scenic beauty of Nanko, one of the ponds at the main tea house of the Kikugetsu-tei garden. The tea house generally serves tea and Japanese sweets. Lunch is available for a group of more than two persons between 11:20 and 13:00 during weekdays. (*prior reservation required).

A small and aesthetically pleasing tea house with a thatched roof is a perfect place for a break while walking in the garden. Here you can experience the traditional Japanese atmosphere and try matcha tea with Japanese sweets.

[Address] 1-20-16 Ritsurin-cho Takamatsu
[Closed] Open 365 days a year
[Open Hours] From sunrise to sunset (*varies according to the season)
[Admission] 410 yen per adult, 170 yen per child older than six)
[Access]
By Train
JR: three minute walk from Ritsurin Garden North Entrance Station, “Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi”
Kotoden: 10 Minutes from Ritsurin Garden Station, “Ritsurin Koen”
By Car: 10 Minute drive from Takamatsu Expressway, Takamatsu Chuo Interchange (IC)