# Ritsurin Garden

> Japan's largest cultural property garden with six ponds, thirteen hills, and over a thousand sculpted pine trees.

- Prefecture: Kagawa
- Type: Garden
- Address: Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
- Official site: https://www.my-kagawa.jp/en/ritsurin/

Ritsurin Garden is the largest cultural property garden in Japan, spanning 75 hectares with Mount Shiun as its living backdrop. Built over approximately 100 years by the feudal lords of the Takamatsu domain, the garden features six ponds, thirteen landscaped hills, and over 1,000 meticulously pruned pine trees. The garden changes dramatically with each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, brilliant foliage in autumn, and snow-dusted landscapes in winter. A traditional wabi tea ceremony experience is available at the Kikugetsu-tei tea house overlooking the South Pond. Boat tours on the ponds offer a different perspective. The garden is a three-minute walk from JR Ritsurin-Koen-Kitaguchi Station, making it very accessible from central Takamatsu.

## FAQ

### How do I get to Ritsurin Garden?

Take the Kotoden train a few minutes to Ritsurin-Koen Station, or about 5 minutes by JR to Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi, both a short walk from the gates. Takamatsu is the gateway city.

### What is Ritsurin Garden known for?

A feudal-era strolling garden ranked among Japan's very best, with six ponds and thirteen landscaped hills set against the borrowed scenery of Mt Shiun, and over a thousand sculpted pines.

### What are the entry fee and hours, and can I ride the boat?

Entry is around ¥410 for adults, open roughly from sunrise to sunset. A traditional wasen boat ride across the south pond, for a small extra fee, gives the garden's most photogenic angle.

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Source: Ritsurin Garden — Japan Voyage