Hear the Footsteps of the Seasons:: Takamatsu City, Shikoku:: Ritsurin Garden

If Tamamo Park was the office where the feudal lord handled official business, then Ritsurin Garden was his private garden for leisure and enjoyment.

Located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture—once the domain of Sanuki—Ritsurin Garden was first established here in 1642 by Ikoma Takatoshi, the then feudal lord of Takamatsu Domain in Sanuki. Over the next hundred years, five generations of lords carefully developed and refined it into what is acclaimed today as a garden of “a unique view at every step, and a different scene in each season.” Now, it is not only the pride of the people of Takamatsu but also the foremost garden in the Shikoku region, and has been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government.

As soon as you step into Ritsurin Garden, you’ll be awestruck by its magnificent greenery. The garden is divided into a traditional Japanese stroll garden to the south and a quasi-Western-style garden to the north, each offering a distinctly different landscape. Endless stretches of emerald green complement crystal-clear lakes, creating a scenery that flows like the wind yet rests as still as water. In spring, flowers bloom in brilliant colors; in summer, lotus flowers stand elegantly above the water; in autumn, maple leaves turn fiery red; and in winter, the garden is blanketed in silver snow. At Ritsurin Garden, you can hear the footsteps of the seasons.

When you visit, don’t miss the chance to experience matcha tea and traditional Japanese sweets. Sipping a cup of matcha amidst the lush greenery and serene surroundings offers a glimpse into the refined tastes of the feudal lords from over a century ago.Click to view full attraction details