The name 'Kikugetsutei' derives from a line in a poem by Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, referencing the act of scooping up the moon while dipping a hand in water.
The building was designed to serve as a retreat for the lords of the Sanuki Province during their visits to the garden.
Its cruciform floor plan is specifically engineered to ensure that no matter which room one sits in, the view of the garden is unobstructed.
The tea served at the pavilion is prepared using methods consistent with traditional chanoyu customs.
The structure features sliding shoji screens that are frequently adjusted to frame the changing seasonal landscapes of the pond and pine trees.
Kikugetsutei, or the 'Moon-Scooping Pavilion,' is a historic teahouse situated within the south garden of Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu. Built during the Edo period, the structure serves as the primary focal point of the landscape design, overlooking the Nanko pond. The building features a traditional shoin-zukuri architectural style with a unique four-sided roof that allows views of the garden from every direction. Visitors can consume matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets while seated on the tatami mats inside. The pavilion is constructed primarily of Japanese cedar and cypress, showcasing master craftsmanship of the 17th century. It remains one of the few original structures of the garden complex to have survived since the late 1600s.
From the interior tatami area looking out across the Nanko pond toward the Kankyo-tei bridge.
Arrive early in the day to secure a seat by the window overlooking the pond for the best view.
Remove your shoes before entering, as the interior is entirely covered in tatami mats.
Check the weather before visiting, as the pavilion's aesthetic is significantly enhanced by reflection on the water during calm, clear days.
Do not attempt to walk on the wooden decks in footwear; ensure you are wearing clean socks.
The pavilion remains open daily throughout the year unless private functions or seasonal maintenance are scheduled.
Maintain a quiet, respectful volume, remove shoes at the entrance, and avoid touching the wooden interior surfaces.
