What other travelers are saying about Ritsurin Garden
What a beautiful garden to walk around. The paths are well defined and are also wheelchair friendly. The trees and shrubs are abundant and are planted strategically and are well presented. The autumn colours could still be seen when we went there in early December.
There are plenty of cafes within the gardens to have a snack or a substantial meal or just a coffee. Their matcha latte was delicious.
Lots of very clean toilets are placed throughout this large park.
Many significant historical areas are well signposted and there is an English explanation. Lots of streams, small picturesque bridges and heaps of photo opportunities.
It's very easy to get to and is a flat short 8 minute walk from the railway station.
There is a parking lot on site too for those lucky enough to have access to a car.
The gift and souvenir shop had some excellent mementos, if you wanted to take away things other than photos and a tranquil experience while strolling the glorious and beautiful scenery of the gardens.
Well worth a hald day visit if in the area of Takamatsu.
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.
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!
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
Discover a stunning park that's breathtaking any time of the year. Spend a whole day exploring its scenic beauty and relaxing atmosphere. Inside, you'll find charming eateries and a delightful tea house, perfect for a quick refresh or a leisurely sip. Don't forget, for just 100 yen, you can buy food to feed the cheerful fish, adding a fun touch to your visit.
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.
