Ritsurin Garden, located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, is one of the largest strolling gardens in the country. Some of the buildings in the garden date back to the 1600s, but construction of the garden wasn’t completed until 1745. It was kept as a private garden for the Matsudaira clan until it was opened to the public in 1875. In the backdrop of the garden lies Mt. Shiun, and there are also a number of ponds and artificial hills inside the grounds. Today, the garden boasts both traditional Japanese-style spaces, complete with historic teahouses, as well as areas that have been redesigned in a Western style.
The garden has been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and it is known for its meticulously manicured greenery. It is also a popular place for both tourists and locals to gather for hanami—the grounds boast around 320 cherry trees mixed in with the numerous pines, creating a lovely contrast of pink and green.