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Ritsurin Garden Guide: 2026 Prices, Matcha at Kikugetsu-tei, the Boat Ride and the Autumn Light-Up (Takamatsu)
Kai
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Quick answer: Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu is one of Japan’s great stroll gardens — a nationally designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty with 3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide. Admission is ¥500 (raised in June 2025). Don’t miss matcha at the Kikugetsu-tei tea house (¥800) and, if you can book it, the 30-minute boat ride on the South Pond (¥850). The autumn light-up runs 20–29 November 2026 (17:00–21:00). It’s 5 minutes by JR from Takamatsu Station to Ritsurin-koen Kitaguchi, then a 3-minute walk.
I’ve walked round Ritsurin Garden, had matcha at the Kikugetsu-tei tea house, and seen the garden lit up in autumn, with the leaves at their best. Here’s what to see and how to plan your visit.
Why it’s special
Ritsurin opened to the public as a park in 1875. With the wooded Mt Shiun as its backdrop, the whole site covers about 75 hectares. It’s known above all for its pines: about 1,400, of which around 1,000 have been shaped by hand by the garden’s gardeners over many years.
Look out for the three famous pines:
- Tsurukame-matsu — a black pine shaped like a crane, on a “turtle” of over 100 stones.
- Hakomatsu — a row of pines trimmed into one long box shape.
- Neagari Goyomatsu — beside Kikugetsu-tei; grown from a bonsai given by the shogun in 1833.
Matcha at Kikugetsu-tei
Kikugetsu-tei is a tea house beside the South Pond. I’ve had matcha here.
- Matcha with a sweet: ¥800 (sencha ¥600).
- Hours: 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00).
- Note: Kagawa Prefecture is planning repair and earthquake-proofing work on Kikugetsu-tei. Dates haven’t been announced, so check before you go.
- Higurashi-tei, another tea house, opens on weekends and holidays (matcha ¥700).
The boat ride (wasen)
Traditional wooden boats take you round the South Pond for about 30 minutes, with a boatman’s commentary. I haven’t done it myself.
- Fare: ¥850 for adults (raised in June 2025), plus admission.
- Booking: reserve by phone or online; phone bookings open on the first day of the previous month. Children under 3 can’t ride.
Autumn light-up (2026)
- Dates: 20–29 November 2026, 17:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30).
- Fee: normal admission (¥500).
- Night boat rides: bookings open 1 November at 13:00 (phone 087-833-7414 or online); boats leave every 15 minutes from 17:30.
I’ve seen the autumn light-up myself. There’s also a spring light-up for the cherry blossoms (late March to early April in 2026).
When to go
| Season | What to see |
|---|---|
| Mid-Feb – early Mar | Plum blossoms (about 150 trees) |
| Late Mar – early Apr | Cherry blossoms (about 300 trees) and the spring light-up |
| Jul – Aug | Lotus flowers |
| Late Nov – early Dec | Autumn leaves (about 270 trees) and the autumn light-up |
See Autumn Leaves in Setouchi and Cherry Blossoms in Setouchi.
Practical information
- Admission: ¥500 adults, ¥170 elementary and junior high school students.
- Hours: they change every month — for example 6:30–17:00 in November, 7:00–17:00 in December and January, and 5:30–19:00 in summer. Open every day.
- Rain: the garden lends free Japanese-style umbrellas on rainy days.
- Free guided walks (in Japanese): every Sunday at 10:30, about an hour.
- Inside the garden: the Sanuki Folk Craft Museum and the main hall of the Commerce and Industry Promotion Hall are free.
Getting there
- JR: Takamatsu → Ritsurin-koen Kitaguchi, about 5 minutes, then 3 minutes on foot to the North Gate.
- Kotoden: to Ritsurin-koen Station, then 7–10 minutes on foot to the East Gate.
- Car: about 15 minutes from Takamatsu-Chuo IC. Two small paid car parks (about 60 spaces in total).
Make a day of it
Ritsurin is in central Takamatsu, so it’s easy to combine with self-service udon for lunch and a ferry to the islands. See Kagawa in 2 Days, How to Order Sanuki Udon and Shodoshima.
FAQ
How much is Ritsurin Garden?
¥500 for adults since June 2025 (it was ¥410). Matcha at Kikugetsu-tei is ¥800 and the boat ride ¥850.
How long do I need?
It depends on your pace — the garden is large, so allow extra time if you add tea or the boat.
Do I need to book the boat?
Yes, booking ahead is recommended.
When is the autumn light-up?
20–29 November 2026, 17:00–21:00.
Prices, hours and light-up dates checked on Kagawa Prefecture’s Ritsurin Garden pages and related official sites on 28 October 2026.
ABOUT THE WRITER
I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.
