Takamatsu

What to know

Takamatsu (高松) is the capital of Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture. Until the Seto Ohashi Bridge opened in 1988, the city's port was the main gateway to Shikoku Island.

During most of the Edo Period, the Matsudaira Clan—relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun—ruled Takamatsu's former castle town and surrounding area, then known as Sanuki Province. The clan also built Ritsurin Koen, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens.

Activities and attractions

Ritsurin KoenOutstanding Japanese style landscape gardenOgijima IslandSmall island with a lighthouse and lovely villageSanuki UdonMost famous dish of TakamatsuShikoku MuraOpen air museum about Shikoku architectureMegijima IslandAlso known as the Ogre Island from MomotaroIsamu Noguchi Garden MuseumOn Japanese American artist Isamu NoguchiYashimaFlat-topped mountain with various sightsTakamatsu CastleRuins of one of Japan’s few seaside castlesShopping ArcadesClaimed to be Japan’s longest shopping arcadesSunport TakamatsuRedeveloped district around Takamatsu StationNaoshima IslandSmall island with a lot of modern artTeshima IslandAnother island with intriguing contemporary artKotohiraHome to Shikoku’s Most Popular ShrineShodoshima IslandIsland in the Seto Inland Sea known for olivesMarugamePort city in Kagawa, known for its castle