Ritsurin Koen Park

The Ritsurin Koen Park has received the highest rating from the Michelin Green Guide Japan in 2009 offering a traditional garden with seasonal flowers, 6 ponds and sceneries utilized with Shakkei, or borrowed scenery, constructed by the feudal lord of Takamatsu. The garden is considered one of the largest landscape gardens in Japan with a beauty constantly debated upon for a spot among the three most beautiful gardens of Japan consisting of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, Kairakuen in Mito, and Korakuen in Okayama Prefecture. Ritsurin Koen was commissioned by Takatoshi Ikoma during the early Edo period, a garden which took 100 years to complete with the help of later successor lords of Takamatsu. The garden has an area covering 750,000 square meters covered in pine tree, which takes more than 30 master gardeners to maintain its scenic beauty. Many of the gardeners are Bonsai craftsmen, a luxuries hobby which has taken on popularity both domestic and internationally. Different types of pine trees with some over hundreds of years old, can be viewed by short boat ride, an experience offering the activity only available for the social elite during the feudal periods of Japan. A stroll around the park could take up to 2 hours at this landmark of Takamatsu, with local shops and varies exhibits available at the Sanuki Folk Craft Museum offered to guests in need of a short break from walking. Viewing the garden while sipping Japanese tea at the traditional tea house located within the park, is another perfect way to relax and enjoy Ritsurin Koen to the fullest.