Ritsurin Garden

Located in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan’s finest daimyo (feudal lord) gardens, with a history spanning more than 400 years. Covering an area equivalent to about 16 Tokyo Domes when the surrounding Mt. Shiun is included, the garden features beautifully pruned pine trees, elegant ponds, and historic tea houses, offering visitors an immersive experience of traditional Japanese landscape design.

Designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, Ritsurin Garden has also received three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. With its breathtaking seasonal scenery and ever-changing views, stepping into this garden feels like entering a living Japanese painting.

A Garden with 400 Years of History

The origins of Ritsurin Garden date back to the late 16th century, when the local Sato clan is said to have created a small garden in the area. In the early 17th century, flood-control work carried out by Nishijima Hachibei, a retainer of the Ikoma family, helped lay the foundation for the expansive garden that exists today.

The garden was later inherited and developed by Matsudaira Yorishige, the first lord of the Takamatsu Domain, and successive lords continued to expand and refine it. More than 100 years later, in 1745, the garden was completed under the fifth lord, Matsudaira Yoritsune. It remained a residence of the Matsudaira family until the end of the Edo period.

The garden features six ponds and thirteen artificial hills, with the South Garden preserving the character of an Edo-period daimyo garden and the North Garden developed later as a modern park. Designed to offer a changing view with every step, the garden embodies the celebrated concept of “one step, one view.”

Immersive Experiences to Enjoy the Garden

Ritsurin Garden offers more than scenic beauty—it provides visitors with opportunities to experience its traditional atmosphere from different perspectives.

・ A Serene Boat Ride on the South Pond

One of the highlights of Ritsurin Garden is the South Lake sightseeing boat, which cruises around Nanko (South Pond) aboard the traditional Japanese boats “Senshu-maru” and “Geishun-maru.” During the approximately 30-minute ride, a boatman provides commentary on the garden’s scenery and highlights.

From the water, visitors can enjoy views that are different from those seen while walking through the garden, including beautiful perspectives of the historic bridges, islands, and Kikugetsu-tei Tea House. The experience offers a relaxing way to appreciate the carefully designed landscape from the water.

・ Enjoying Matcha at Kikugetsu-tei Tea House

Nestled beside South Pond, Kikugetsu-tei Tea House offers a peaceful place to enjoy matcha or sencha with Japanese sweets while taking in the garden scenery. Built in the late 17th century, the tea house was beloved by successive lords of the Takamatsu Domain and was known as the garden’s “Great Tea House.”

Its low floor and open design create a close connection with the surrounding pond and garden, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery while experiencing a traditional Japanese tea setting.

Discover the Timeless Beauty of Ritsurin Garden

Ritsurin Garden is a remarkable example of Japanese landscape architecture, where history, carefully shaped scenery, and nature exist in harmony. Despite being close to the center of Takamatsu, the garden offers a peaceful setting where visitors can enjoy changing scenery throughout the seasons.

Stroll along the garden paths, take a traditional boat ride, and savor matcha at a historic tea house. With its rich history and “one step, one view” experience, Ritsurin Garden offers a memorable way to discover the beauty of traditional Japan.

https://www.my-kagawa.jp/ritsuringarden