Ritsurin Koen
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.
Hours and Fees
Hours
February: 7:00 to 17:30
March: 6:30 to 18:00
April and May: 5:30 to 18:30
June to August: 5:30 to 19:00
September: 5:30 to 18:30
October: 6:00 to 17:30
November: 6:30 to 17:00
December: 7:00 to 17:00
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
English
Japanese
Hotels around Takamatsu
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Guest House WakabayaGuest House Wakabaya is situated in Takamatsu, a 5-minute walk away from Hanazono Station of the Kotoden Nagao Line. The Kotoden Nagao Line can be accessed from Takamatsu-Chikko Station. Takamatsu-Chikko Station is a 3-minute walk from both JR Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port. A limousine bus is available from Takamatsu Airport, and takes approximately 40-minutes from the airport to Kawaramachi Station. From Kawaramachi Station, guests can take the Kotoden Line to Hanazono Station. Free private parking is available on site. Rooms include a shared bathroom. Extras include slippers and free toiletries. Guest House Wakabaya features free WiFi throughout the property. There is a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers bike hire at a charge. Takamatsu Port and the downtown area are respectively a 25-minute and 10-minute bike ride away.View on Booking.com
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THE CHELSEA BREATHSet 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
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Ten to Sen GuesthouseSet 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
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SetonejuanSituated in a quiet neighbourhood, Setonejuan is located in Setonaikai Kokuritsuk?en. This guest house is a 35-minute drive from Takamatsu Station. Takamatsu castle is 35 minutes by car, while Takamatsu Ferry Terminal is a 40-minute drive away. Featuring free WiFi, Setonejuan offers pet-friendly accommodation. Some units have views of the sea or garden. You will find a shared lounge at the property. A selection of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling, fishing and hiking. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Naoshima Ferry Terminal is a 90-minute ferry ride away, while Shodoshima Olive Park is 2 hours via ferry. Takamatsu Airport is 22 km away.View on Booking.com
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fav TAKAMATSULocated 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
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Konyamachi Guest House KukuLocated 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. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 17 km from Konyamachi Guest House Kuku.View on Booking.com
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Sunny Day HostelSunny 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
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Comfort Hotel TakamatsuSituated within 2.1 km of Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 2 km of Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Comfort Hotel Takamatsu features rooms in Takamatsu. Featuring free bikes, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a seating area, a TV and a safety deposit box. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at Comfort Hotel Takamatsu. Languages spoken at the 24-hour front desk include English and Japanese. Sunport Fountain is 2.2 km from the accommodation, while Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum is 3.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from Comfort Hotel Takamatsu.View on Booking.com
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Royal Park Hotel TakamatsuOffering 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
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Traditional Apartment Takamatsu GuesthouseOffering garden views, Traditional Apartment Takamatsu Guesthouse is an accommodation situated in Takamatsu, 1.4 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine and 2.4 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu. Among the facilities at this property are luggage storage space and a concierge service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can book themselves in for fitness classes or yoga classes. All units are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is also a well-fitted kitchen in some of the units equipped with a toaster, a stovetop, and kitchenware. At the guest house, units include bed linen and towels. There is a coffee shop and bar. Sightseeing tours are available in the vicinity of the property. A car rental service is available at the guest house, while cycling can be enjoyed nearby. Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum is 2.4 km from Traditional Apartment Takamatsu Guesthouse, while Sunport Fountain is 2.5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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