高松
Takamatsu
Kagawa · shikoku
Shikoku's udon capital and the gateway to Ritsurin Garden and the Setouchi art islands.
Who Takamatsu is for
Garden lovers, udon obsessives, contemporary art fans, and Setouchi Triennale visitors.
About Takamatsu
Takamatsu is famous for sanuki udon. The city holds Ritsurin Koen, a feudal garden of exceptional quality, and is the most convenient base for visiting Naoshima.
Things to do
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Ritsurin Garden
PopularWell-known 1700s garden featuring formal landscaping, ponds, bridges, a teahouse & a boat ride.
View on Google MapsUdon Baka Ichidai
Cafeteria-style seating in a simple cafe serving freshly made udon noodle dishes with thick broth.
View on Google MapsUdon Honjin Yamadaya Main Branch
Thick udon noodles served with tofu, meat, or shrimp tempura in a tranquil room with tatami seating.
View on Google MapsTakamatsu Castle Park
Ruins of a castle built in 1590 in a parklike setting, with a moat that uses water from the sea.
View on Google Maps
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Plan a trip to Takamatsu →Getting around Takamatsu
The backbone of local transport is the Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railway (Kotoden), a compact tram system with three main lines connecting central districts, Ritsurin Garden, and outlying neighborhoods; buses also serve peripheral areas and islands. Most visitors use rechargeable IC cards like ICOCA or Suica, available at convenience stores and railway stations, though single paper tickets (around ¥200 - ¥240) and one-day passes work well for short stays. The city centre is highly walkable - the garden and castle ruins lie within an hour on foot - and rental bicycles are available at stations if you want to cover more ground cheaply. Taxis aren't essential here since the tram network is reliable and inexpensive, though they're useful late at night when services typically wind down around midnight. Ferry terminals for the Setouchi islands are a short tram ride or walk from the station.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are ideal for exploring this gateway to Shikoku's cultural treasures. Typically late March to early April brings stunning cherry blossoms to Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan's finest landscape gardens, while mild temperatures make wandering the Setouchi art islands perfectly comfortable. Fall, usually September through November, offers crisp weather and vibrant autumn foliage without the spring crowds. The Setouchi Triennale, held in odd-numbered years across the summer and fall months, draws art enthusiasts from worldwide and shouldn't be missed if timing aligns. Avoid the rainy tsuyu season from early June through July, the typhoon-prone months of August and September, and the peak summer heat that can reach uncomfortable levels. Shoulder seasons like May offer pleasant weather and fewer visitors, making them excellent for experiencing local udon shops and markets without battling crowds.
Where to stay
The Chuo ward near Takamatsu Station offers convenient access to shops, restaurants, and transport links to Ritsurin Garden and the Setouchi islands, with business hotels and mid-range chains typically commanding ¥8,000 - 15,000 per double room. For a more atmospheric experience, the Katashio area features traditional ryokan and smaller hotels near the port, ideal if you're catching ferries to art island destinations, though prices here tend toward ¥12,000 - 20,000. Budget travelers might explore capsule hotels scattered throughout the city center, which generally run ¥3,000 - 6,000 nightly. Most neighborhoods sit within walking distance or a short train ride of the famous udon restaurants and local food markets, while vacation rentals have become increasingly common in quieter residential pockets. Given Takamatsu's role as Shikoku's transport hub, staying near the station maximizes flexibility for day trips to nearby cultural attractions and coastal scenery.
What to eat
Takamatsu is synonymous with sanuki udon, thick handmade noodles served in a savory broth that locals have perfected over centuries - expect to pay typically ¥800 - 1,200 a bowl at dedicated shops. The city's udon culture is best experienced in the lively Hyogomachi arcade and Marugame Seimen chain outlets, where you can watch skilled cooks stretch dough by hand. Beyond noodles, fresh seafood dominates menus around the Hanamaru Market, where you'll find grilled fish and sashimi at reasonable prices. Kagawa's sake breweries dot the prefecture, and several welcome visitors for tastings near the city center. For budget travelers, convenience store onigiri and ramen shops keep meals under ¥1,000, while casual udon counters remain the soul of eating here - quick, satisfying, and authentically Shikoku.
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