Ritsurin Koen (ŒI—ÑŒö‰€) is a landscape garden in Takamatsu City, built by the local feudal lords during the early Edo Period. Considered one of the best gardens in Japan, it is often suggested that Ritsurin Koen deserves a spot on the list of the "three most beautiful gardens of Japan" alongside Kanazawa's Kenrokuen, Mito's Kairakuen, and Okayama's Korakuen.

The spacious park features many ponds, hills, trees and beautiful pavilions divided into a Japanese-style garden in the south and Western-style garden in the north. The gardens are set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a wonderful background and great example of borrowed scenery in Japanese garden design.

Inside the park are a number of facilities, including a folk museum, shops and a few resthouses where you can take a break and enjoy some refreshments amidst the beauty of the garden. Of particular note is the Kikugetsu-tei teahouse in the southwest part of the gardens where, for a small fee, you can enter and enjoy some tea on its verandas overlooking the ponds.

Getting there and around

Ritsurin Koen lies two kilometers south of JR Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Castle. The shopping arcades run nearly the entire way from there to the garden. Alternatively, it is most easily accessed by Kotoden or JR train.

By Kotoden

Take the Kotohira Line from Takamatsu-Chikko Station to Ritsurinkoen Station (7 minutes, 190 yen, every 15 minutes), from where it is a ten minute walk to the park's main entrance.

By Japan Railways

Take a local train from JR Takamatsu Station in the direction of Tokushima to Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station (5 minutes, 210 yen, 2 trains per hour). From there, the park's north gate can be reached in a five minute walk.

How to get to and around Takamatsu

Hours and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Takamatsu

Top rated in Takamatsu
Budget:
    • Guest House Wakabaya
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 2-star accommodation, Guest House Wakabaya is situated in Takamatsu, 2.2 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum and 2.6 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine. This guest house features free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The guest house has family rooms. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Liminal Air-core Takamatsu is 3.5 km from Guest House Wakabaya, while Sunport Fountain is 3.6 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 17 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.6Booking.com
    • Kitahama Sumiyoshi
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Takamatsu and only 300 metres from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Kitahama Sumiyoshi features accommodation with inner courtyard views, free WiFi and free private parking. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.2 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Sunport Fountain. The kitchen has a microwave, a toaster and a fridge and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance. Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum is 1.6 km from the guest house, while Asahi Green Park is 3.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 18 km from Kitahama Sumiyoshi.
      View on Booking.com
      9.2Booking.com
    • THE CHELSEA BREATH
      Mid-range
      Set in Takamatsu, 12 km from Sunport Takamatsu, THE CHELSEA BREATH offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a shared lounge and a garden. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. The air-conditioned rooms provide a garden view and come with a desk and free WiFi. At the hotel, every room has a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. The units will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at THE CHELSEA BREATH can enjoy a Japanese breakfast. The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Liminal Air-core Takamatsu is 12 km from THE CHELSEA BREATH, while Sunport Fountain is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 5 km from the hotel.
      View on Booking.com
      9.1Booking.com
    • Ten to Sen Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Set within 2 km of Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 1.8 km of Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Ten to Sen Guesthouse offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Takamatsu. 2.1 km from Sunport Fountain and 3.2 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum, the property features a terrace and a shared lounge. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. Featuring a shared bathroom with slippers, units at the guest house also have free WiFi, while some rooms come with a balcony. At the guest house, the units come with bed linen and towels. Asahi Green Park is 4.7 km from the guest house, while Cormorant Shrine is 7.1 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from Ten to Sen Guesthouse.
      View on Booking.com
      8.9Booking.com
    • Setonejuan
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Takamatsu, 5.2 km from Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum and 5.9 km from Yakurishion Christ Church, Setonejuan offers accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, free bikes and a garden. The property features garden and city views, and is 6.1 km from Takamatsu Museum of History and Folklore. The guest house has family rooms as well as facilities for disabled guests. The units include a shared bathroom with a hair dryer, while selected rooms also offer a patio and others also have sea views. At the guest house, units come with bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the guest house. Guests at Setonejuan will be able to enjoy activities in and around Takamatsu, like cycling and hiking. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Naritasanshodaiji Temple is 6.2 km from the accommodation, while Rokumanji Temple is 6.4 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 30 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      8.9Booking.com
    • Konyamachi Guest House Kuku
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Takamatsu, 1.3 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, Konyamachi Guest House Kuku provides accommodation with a terrace, free WiFi, private check-in and check-out, and bicycle parking. The property is set 1.3 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, 1.3 km from Sunport Fountain and 2.4 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum. The guest house features family rooms. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a microwave, a toaster, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen equipped with a fridge, a stovetop, and kitchenware. All units include a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Asahi Green Park is 4 km from the guest house, while Cormorant Shrine is 6.3 km away. Takamatsu Airport is 17 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • Sunny Day Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      Sunny Day Hostel is set in Takamatsu, within 3.4 km of Asahi Green Park and 5.8 km of Cormorant Shrine. With a bar, the 2-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 600 metres from Kitahamaebisu Shrine. The rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. The hostel offers a sun terrace. Popular points of interest near Sunny Day Hostel include Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, Sunport Fountain and Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 17 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • kaeru Guest house
      Budget-friendly
      Set just 10 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, kaeru Guest house provides accommodation in Takamatsu with access to free bikes, a garden, as well as free shuttle service. This guest house offers free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The guest house has family rooms. The area is popular for cycling and hiking, and car hire is available at this 1-star guest house. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Sunport Fountain is 11 km from the guest house, while Kitahamaebisu Shrine is 11 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 11 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • fav TAKAMATSU
      Luxury
      Located 1.3 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, fav TAKAMATSU offers 4-star accommodation in Takamatsu and features a terrace. The property is set 2.3 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum, 2.4 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 2.4 km from Sunport Fountain. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At fav TAKAMATSU each room includes bed linen and towels. Asahi Green Park is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Cormorant Shrine is 6.2 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from fav TAKAMATSU.
      View on Booking.com
      8.7Booking.com
    • Royal Park Hotel Takamatsu
      Luxury
      Offering modern rooms with a Simmons bed, a flat-screen satellite TV and free wired internet, Royal Park Hotel is a 5-minute drive from JR Takamatsu Train Station. Massages and bicycles are available. Each air-conditioned room at Royal Park Hotel Takamatsu includes a fridge and an electric kettle with roasted green tea. You can watch pay TV programmes or unwind with a hot bath. Toiletries are provided. Tamamo Park is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Ritsurin Park is 1.5 km away, and Takamatsu Airport is about a 30-minute drive. There is the 24-hour front desk, which offers luggage storage. Free-use internet stations are on site. Staying guests have access to the property's Club Lounge. Services include tea and some snacks between 15:00 - 18:00,alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and some snacks between 18:00 - 20:00, and from 20:00 - 22:00, the lounge will operate as a bar, serving alcoholic beverages and some snacks.
      View on Booking.com
      8.7Booking.com