Ritsurin Park

Hiryu Peak is a special feature of Ritsurin Park. The mystical stone arrangement of petrified trees, which has been passed down since ancient times, not only prevents the mountain from collapsing but is also said to resemble the snow on Mt. Fuji with its beautiful shape. This is a miraculous crystallization of nature and history, worthy of being called the treasure of the park. From the top of Hiryu Peak, you can see the beautifully curved Engetsu Bridge and the majestic Mt. Shion behind it, creating a magnificent landscape. The view from the Kakkutei Pavilion, located to the west of the South Lake, is also a beautiful sight that touches the heart. The scenery, which changes with the seasons, adds richness to the hearts of visitors.

The "Scooping Moon Pavilion" standing in Kuribayashi Park is an elegant tea house loved by successive lords. Among the tea house-style buildings in the park, it is the most graceful and is also known as the "Ochaya" due to its spaciousness. The successive lords must have cherished the Scooping Moon Pavilion as a special place and enjoyed it to their heart's content. The Scooping Moon Pavilion is a special presence even in Kuribayashi Park. While the building gives a sense of the weight of history, it is also an excellent base to enjoy the garden rich in atmosphere and beautiful scenery. For everyone who visits, the Scooping Moon Pavilion will bring a luxurious moment to spend a relaxing time.

The root-climbing goyomatsu pine tree standing in Ritsurin Park is a rare and valuable existence that grew into a splendid giant tree from an Edo period bonsai. It stands approximately 8 meters tall with a trunk circumference of about 3.5 meters, boasting a beautiful and overwhelming appearance. In the fourth year of the Tenpo era (1833), Yoritsugu Matsudaira, the ninth lord of the Takamatsu domain, planted a potted bonsai gifted by the eleventh shogun, Ienari, in his garden, which marked the beginning of the history of the root-climbing goyomatsu pine tree. With careful care and the blessings of nature, the bonsai grew into a splendid giant tree. The root-climbing goyomatsu pine tree is a special existence in Ritsurin Park and is an important element that symbolizes the park's history. Its magnificent appearance fascinates many people and impresses visitors with a sense of awe and wonder.

The former Nekotei tea house, located in Ritsurin Park, was built around 1700 as a traditional daimyo tea room and is a valuable presence that conveys the atmosphere of the early Edo period. It boasts the style of the time when the Mushakoji Senke, one of the three Senke schools of tea ceremony, was born, and is known as a historic place where successive headmasters served as tea instructors for the Takamatsu domain. The former Nekotei is a beautiful tea room full of atmosphere, even in its solemn atmosphere. From its garden and architectural style, you can feel the history of Japan in the early Edo period. Inside the tea room, you can enjoy the depth of Japanese traditional culture, the tea ceremony.

The Sanuki Folk Craft Museum, located in Ritsurin Park, boasts a rich collection of folk crafts and tiles that represent Kagawa. Among the approximately 3,800 items, 90 carefully selected folk crafts are exhibited as valuable art pieces that color the history of Kagawa. In addition to Kagawa's folk crafts, the museum also houses local tiles, allowing visitors to learn about the rich culture and traditions of Kagawa. The folk crafts, which embody traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic sense, fascinate viewers and evoke the breath of history and culture. By enjoying the story woven by Kagawa's folk crafts and tiles, you can catch a glimpse of the deep charm of this land.