Located in Kagawa’s Takamatsu city, Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan’s oldest and largest strolling gardens.
Lying in a former river bed, the garden was first opened in the mid 1700’s as a private garden meant for the leisure of local feudal lords. In 1875, after more than 100 years behind private walls, the gardens opened up to the public, and have since become one of Kagawa’s most popular attractions.

Covering an area of 750,000 square meters the gardens consist of six ponds, thirteen artificially landscaped hills, a number of waterfalls, a wide variety of plants and a collection of traditional teahouses.

With its large expanse, picturesque structures and wide variety of plants that bloom year round, the gardens make for an enjoyable location to spend a relaxed day whatever the season.

With no end to the number of plants that burst into colour year round, Ritsurin Garden can be enjoyed in any season. But, if you had to pick one, perhaps the best time of year is now, when the autumn foliage adorns hues of reds and golden browns.

In celebration of nature’s most vibrant time of year, the gardens of Ritsurin will be illuminated for 10 nights from the 19th to the 28th of November. When lit up by spotlights at night, the colourful trees make the gardens appear as though they have been transported to us from another world.

During the event, you can take the rare opportunity to explore Ritsurin Garden at night.
In addition to further increasing the beauty of the autumn foliage, the lights reflecting onto the ponds create a mirror surface in the water that is not so often seen in the daytime.
Reserve a traditional Japanese boat and enjoy a relaxing ride across the calm waters with the reflections of the vibrant autumn foliage bouncing all around.

Ritsurin Garden Illumination

Location: Ritsurin Garden, 1-20-16 Ritsurincho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture 760-0073
Adults admission fee – 410 yen
Children admission fee – 170 yen Parking fee: 100 yen per 25 minutes

Traditional Japanese Boat fee (must be booked in advance):
Adults – 620 yen
Children – 310 yen

*To book a traditional Japanese boat for the light up event head on over to the official Ritsurin Garden website, or make a phone call to 087-833-7413