Essential autumn spots in Takamatsu! The top five must-see spots and future destinations to visit

There are a variety of scenic spots for autumn leaves in Takamatsu, from regular places to visit once to hidden delights. Discover beautiful, photogenic autumn foliage.
Capture colorful autumn views with your camera.

Special Place of Scenic Beauty　Ritsurin Garden

When it comes to autumn leaves in downtown Takamatsu City, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is Ritsurin Garden. In Fugan, located in south of the garden, maple trees are planted along the shore of its namesake lake.
They look as though you can reach them with your hands. Soft light shines in from gaps in the red leaves.

The contrast between grass changing to gold, and the red maple leaves are worth viewing.

Nighttime illuminations are held from late November to early December. Illuminated trees are reflected brightly on the surface of the water.

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Yashima

In late November, the foot of Yashima is gorgeous, as if red and yellow skirts are spread out.

Another essential landscape is the islands in the Seto Inland Sea that can be seen above the autumn leaves when you climb up to the top of the mountain.

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Shionoe Onsen Resort

Shionoe Hot Spring Village is located upstream of the Koto River, in the southern part of downtown Takamatsu City.

If you visit in early November, another must-see spot is the large ginkgo trees at Iwabu Hachiman Shrine, located in 1.4 kilometers north of Gyoki-no-Yu.

Two trees standing on both sides of the entrance to the shrine are similar to guardian angels. To the left of the entrance is the female tree and to the right is the male. They are 600 and 400 years old, respectively, and the massive trunks show their distinctive character.

Strangely the two trees turn yellow four or five days apart. When the leaves of the male tree fall and the premises are covered like carpets, the female tree is perfect for viewing. Indulge in a world of yellow, in the sky and under foot.

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Rows of Metasequoia trees in Sanuki Airport Park

Rows of Metasequoia trees continue for 300 meters along Prefectural Road 45, facing the Sanuki Airport Park.

Metasequoia trees feature a beautiful triangular shape, similar to a pointy hat. The delicate leaves are like fine feathers and start to turn yellow in early November. They look like yellow lace spreading skyward.

Travel down the road along the rows of Metasequoia trees and head toward downtown Takamatsu City to see stone walls that resemble the ruins of a castle on the left (north side).

Actually, the stone walls are time and space, sculptural works by Isamu Noguchi, and they are related to the monument in the front of Takamatsu Airport.

In the following year, 1989, when Isamu Noguchi passed away, time and space was completed by Masatoshi Izumi, a stonemason who supported Isamu Noguchi's works.
The artworks pile Aji-stone sourced in Kagawa and welcome people who land at Takamatsu Airport.

Negoro-ji

Negoro-ji, temple No. 82 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, is located on the Goshikidai plateau extending to Sakaide City and Takamatsu City. Drive west from downtown Takamatsu City to reach the temple in 20 minutes.
Negoro-ji is named after the scent emitted from the sacred tree that was cut when the thousand-armed Kannon was created. Come to graceful Negoro-ji to experience the scent of autumn.

When you pass through the magnificent main gate of the temple, the refined, stone-paved approach to the temple extends straight.
Rows of maple trees on both sides turn red in mid-November.