点评:Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu may not be officially listed among Japan's "Three Great Gardens," but after visiting in November 2025, I'd argue it belongs in that conversation without hesitation.
Over 100 years in the making, completed by successive feudal lords of the Takamatsu Domain, the garden embodies the Japanese principle of ippo ikkei — "one step, one view" — where the scenery shifts beautifully with every step you take. In November, with the maple and pine colours at their peak, that effect is extraordinary.
The highlight for me was the Kikugetsutei teahouse, one of the garden's main buildings, beloved by generations of feudal lords, whose name comes from a Tang Dynasty poem: "When I scoop up the water, I hold the moon in my hands." Sitting on the tatami with a bowl of powdered green tea, looking out over Nanko Pond — it's one of those genuinely still moments that travel is made for.
The traditional wasen boat ride on the pond is also worth doing - a lovely way to take in the garden from the water. The six ponds and thirteen landscaped hills, framed by Mt. Shiun in the background, make this the largest garden of cultural properties in Japan.
Allow at least two hours, more if you can. Pair it with lunch at a local udon restaurant afterwards — you're in Kagawa, after all.
翻译:高松的栗林庭园或许并未被正式列入日本三大名园之列,但我在2025年11月游览之后,毫不犹豫地认为它完全有资格位列其中。
这座庭园历经百年精心打造,由高松藩的历代藩主共同完成,完美诠释了日本“一步一景”的理念——每走一步,景色都会随之变换,美不胜收。11月,枫叶和松叶正值盛放,景色更是美不胜收。
对我而言,最令人难忘的是菊月亭茶室。它是庭园的主要建筑之一,深受历代藩主的喜爱。其名称源自唐代诗句:“舀水捧月”。坐在榻榻米上,手捧一碗抹茶,眺望南湖池——这才是旅行的意义所在,是真正令人心旷神怡的静谧时刻。
乘坐传统的和泉船游览池塘也值得一试——这是从水上欣赏花园美景的绝佳方式。六个池塘和十三座精心设计的丘陵,以紫云山为背景,使这里成为日本最大的文化遗产花园。
至少预留两个小时,如果时间允许,可以安排更长时间。游览结束后,不妨在当地的乌冬面馆享用午餐——毕竟,您身处香川县。