What other travelers are saying about Ritsurin Garden
Ritsurin Garden should be mentioned more!
It is a very beautiful garden. I have been to Kenrouk-en twice in Spring & autumn.. it is a very fine garden… as is Koraku-en too.
I came to Shikoku & Takamatsu principally to see Ritsurin. I’m on another trip to Japan, this time 5weeks. This has allowed time, time to spend almost 2 days in this garden. Absorbing it, considering it & taking too many photos!
I like it very much… why?
It has a naturalness, autumn leaves in the ponds, & also a formality.
It has antiquity; buildings & bridges, views within the garden, both big and small, intimate and wide.. it has the mountain, it may not have the borrowed views (shakkei) of other Japanese gardens, but it is a garden I could imagine returning to as a local very regularly to notice the seasons and what they bring to a garden.
So while the great Kew Gardens in London is said & known to be the No1 garden in the world, gardens are so personal & many a great horticultural masterpiece as this garden is, don’t feature.
How does a garden make you feel?
This garden made me feel happy, especially today with blue sky… I’d never be happy in the appalling (imho) impersonal monsterous Versailles… which makes it to the top 20!
Takamatsu is lucky to have such a wonderful garden!
A nice park that has a proper carpark either at North or South gates. Recommend parking at the South gate (Higashimon parking lot on google maps; 100 yen for 25 minutes).
You won't need more than 1.5 hours on average, for a leisurely walk across the entire park. Nothing much to do here other than to take photos and enjoy the view.
Go early in the morning to avoid crowds, harsh sunlight that will ruin your photos.
Definitely my favourite park in Japan so far. I was visiting different parts of the country for 3 weeks. The landscape is wonderful. The garden is well maintained. You see lots of different animals (fishes, turtles, colorful lizards and of course many different birds etc.). You can also buy some fish food. And watch a tea ceremony.
Autumn 2023
This garden is absolutely beautiful and I prefer it over Kenrokuen which is rated as one of the top 3 in Japan.
A huge garden that you could easily spend a whole day here enjoying ponds and greenery with vivid autumn shades
Easily accessible by bus train or taxi
We had an amazing guided tour with Kayo. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the various trees and flowers growing in the garden, the history of the grounds and original feudal families, and she gave many interesting insights into the symbolism and significance of various elements in the garden. We really enjoyed our time in the garden and it was really made all the more special by Kayo!
Ritsurin Garden is about 10 minutes from Takamatsu Station by bus or taxi. Takamatsu is easy to reach by train, bus, or airplane from other cities in Japan.
Yes, families can enjoy the garden. Kids will love watching the koi fish in the ponds, and there’s plenty of open space to explore. Some paths are gravel, so strollers might be tricky in certain areas.
The garden has a teahouse, café, souvenir shop, rest areas, and clean restrooms. Many areas are wheelchair-accessible, making it friendly for all visitors.
At certain times of the year, Ritsurin Garden offers evening illuminations, transforming the landscape with soft lighting. These events, often held during cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons, create a magical atmosphere.
Yes, visitors can rent traditional wooden boats to explore the larger ponds. These boat rides provide a unique perspective of the garden and allow you to experience its beauty from the water.
