Choose between a garden walk and a visit including the South Pond wasen boat. Garden admission does not include the boat, and a reservation still requires a ticket purchase on site. Work backwards from sailing time to allow for entry and bags.
Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5 · Commons1280px derivative; no local edit; display may crop.
Who this guide is for: Takamatsu visitors deciding whether to add a South Pond boat ride to a garden walk
Reserve by the previous day and buy the boat ticket at least 30 minutes before departure. Same-day sales depend on remaining capacity.
Compare at a glance
| Option | Best fit | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Garden entry | Adult ¥500 / elementary and junior-high ¥170 | Boat fare separate |
| South Pond boat | Adult ¥850 / junior-high and younger ¥420 | No children under three |
| Reserved sailing | Purchase at least 30 minutes before departure | Late purchase invalidates reservation |
Add the two charges
For an adult, ¥500 entry plus an ¥850 boat ride totals ¥1,350. An elementary or junior-high pupil pays ¥170 plus ¥420, totalling ¥590. Free preschool garden admission does not establish boat eligibility; check the separate age rule.
Reserve ahead; pay on the day
Reservations open on the first day of the preceding month and close the day before use. Same-day phone and web bookings are unavailable. Tickets for that day are sold at the boat counter from 08:30 until capacity is reached.
Reach the counter before the deadline
Reserved passengers must pay and buy their ticket at least 30 minutes before sailing or the reservation becomes invalid. The ride itself takes about 30 minutes including boarding. Children under three cannot ride; elementary-school children and younger need an accompanying guardian.
Garden hours do not define boat hours
Regular garden hours are 06:00–17:30 in October and 06:30–17:00 in November. Check your selected sailing on the reservation calendar and current operating notice. A past spring night-cruise announcement is not a current booking offer. Also check temporary garden closures in severe weather.
Allow time for the right entrance and bags
The English access page lists roughly three minutes on foot from JR Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station, versus ten from Kotoden Ritsurin Koen Station. Distinguish the similar names. East and North Gate lockers cost ¥200, ¥300 or ¥400, with limited sizes and availability. Ask the tourism office about ¥400-per-item storage if a bag does not fit or lockers are full.
Keep a walking alternative
Leave time before the next transport connection so you can choose a garden walk if the boat sells out or operations change. The photograph shows a bridge and pond on 29 October 2006, not today’s boarding point, foliage or available seats.
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Before you book
- Entry plus boat fare
- Book from the previous month through the day before
- Buy at least 30 minutes before sailing
- Under-three and guardian rules
- Monthly closing and operation notices
- Bags and walking to the counter
Common questions
Is a reservation enough to board?
No. Pay and purchase the boat ticket on site at least 30 minutes before departure.
Can I book online on the day?
No same-day phone or web booking is offered. Ask at the counter about remaining tickets.
Is admission free for everyone aged 65 or older?
No blanket exemption was established. The published senior concession has conditions including Kagawa residence; check eligibility.
Sources and booking conditions
- www.my-kagawa.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.my-kagawa.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.my-kagawa.jp — operator, destination or property information
- ritsuringarden.com — operator, destination or property information
- www.my-kagawa.jp — operator, destination or property information
English edition published 2026-10-16. Source review date inherited from the original guide: 2026-10-16. Editorial recommendations are not firsthand reviews or live quotes. Check current prices, availability and conditions before purchase.