Ritsurin Garden
Ritsurin Garden, A Large Edo Period Stroll Garden Of Ponds, Bridges, Pines And Tea Houses In Takamatsu, Set Against The Wooded Slope Of Mount Shiun. Often Ranked Among Japan'S Finest Historic Gardens, And Open Year Round With A Night Opening In Autumn. · Takamatsu, Kagawa
Ritsurin Garden is a large stroll garden in Takamatsu, begun in the 1600s by the Takamatsu domain and completed over about 100 years, set against the wooded slope of Mount Shiun. It is among the largest historic gardens in Japan - confirm - and is often ranked among the finest. The garden is laid out around six ponds and thirteen miniature hills, with the Nanko, the south lake, as its centre, the Engetsu bridge across it and old pines trimmed into careful shapes. You can follow a long loop of paths, rest at a tea house for matcha and sweets and, on some days, take a boat ride on the pond - confirm. It suits slow walkers, photographers and anyone who likes gardens, and it pairs well with a day in Takamatsu. Allow one and a half to two hours, or half a day with tea. It is worth the detour in spring and autumn, and a quieter, cheaper visit in winter. A small admission applies, payable at the gate - confirm.
1-20-16 Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa, a short walk from Ritsurin-koen Station or Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station, Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
The garden is open every day of the year, from early morning until late afternoon, with later closing in summer and earlier in winter and a last entry before closing - confirm the current times. A night opening is held in autumn and spring, usually for a few weeks around the leaf colour and cherry blossom, and lets visitors walk the garden under lights - confirm dates and fees. The Kikugetsu-tei tea house serves matcha and sweets in the daytime and closes earlier than the garden. The garden is a short walk from Ritsurin-koen Station or Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station, reached from central Takamatsu in a few minutes by train. Admission is small, commonly JPY 400-700, roughly USD 3-5 - confirm.