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Things to Do in Takamatsu (2026)
Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan's most celebrated landscape gardens, and in 2026 it remains the city's crown jewel. Entry costs 410 yen for adults, and the garden isβ¦ πΏ Ritsurin Garden Highlights
Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan's most celebrated landscape gardens, and in 2026 it remains the city's crown jewel. Entry costs 410 yen for adults, and the garden is open from sunrise to sunset (hours vary by season, but typically 7:00 to 17:00). Insider tip: arrive before 9:00 to enjoy the serene atmosphere before tour groups arrive, and consider the optional boat ride on the pond for a unique perspective.
π― Takamatsu Castle Ruins
Takamatsu Castle, also known as Tamamo Castle, is one of the few Japanese castles surrounded by seawater. The ruins are free to explore, and the site is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season in late March to early April. Don't miss the restored Hiunkaku teahouse and the view from the remaining stone walls.
π Sanuki Udon Experience
Takamatsu is the birthplace of Sanuki udon, and you can't leave without trying it. Head to Udon Honjin Yamadaya (address: 3186 Murecho Mure, Takamatsu) for a traditional experience where you can watch noodles being made. A basic bowl costs around 500 yen, and opening hours are 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Wednesdays). For a quick fix, try the self-service udon shops near Takamatsu Station.
π¨ Art Islands Day Trip
Takamatsu is the gateway to the Seto Inland Sea's art islands, including Naoshima and Teshima. Ferries depart from Takamatsu Port, with a round-trip ticket to Naoshima costing about 2,000 yen and taking roughly an hour. In 2026, the islands host various art installations and museums; check the Setouchi Triennale schedule for special events.
ποΈ Shopping Arcades
Takamatsu's covered shopping arcades, such as Marugamemachi and Tamachi, stretch for over 2 kilometers and are perfect for rainy days. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, souvenir shops, and cafes. Look for local crafts like Sanuki lacquerware and wasanbon sugar sweets.
π Sunset at Yashima
For panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea, head to Yashima, a plateau about 20 minutes by bus from Takamatsu Station. The sunset from Yashima is spectacular, and on clear days you can see as far as Shikoku's mountains. There are also hiking trails and the Yashima-ji Temple, part of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
πΆ Local Sake Tasting
Kagawa Prefecture is known for its sake, and Takamatsu has several breweries worth visiting. Nishino Kinryo (address: 3-3-1 Kataharamachi, Takamatsu) offers tours and tastings for around 500 yen. The brewery is open from 9:00 to 16:00 on weekdays, and reservations are recommended.
π Getting Around
Takamatsu is compact and walkable, but for sights like Yashima and the port, use the Kotoden trains and buses. A one-day pass for the Kotoden tram is 800 yen, and buses to Yashima cost about 500 yen one way. Taxis are readily available but can be expensive; cycling is also a popular option, with rentals available near the station.
Kinryo sake tour needs a call ahead, they skip solo walk-ins
The Ritsurin boat ride is worth the extra 600 yen, but book at the gate right when you enter since slots fill by mid-morning.
Yamadaya is worth the detour but closed Wednesdays
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3 Days in Takamatsu: Itinerary 2026
Start at Takamatsu Station, where the JR Seto-Ohashi Line connects to Okayama in about 55 minutes. Walk 5 minutes to Takamatsu Port and catch the 9:00 AM ferry toβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Morning: Takamatsu Port
Start at Takamatsu Station, where the JR Seto-Ohashi Line connects to Okayama in about 55 minutes. Walk 5 minutes to Takamatsu Port and catch the 9:00 AM ferry to Megijima (20 minutes, 390 yen) or Ogijima (40 minutes, 790 yen). Both islands offer art installations and sea views, and the ferry runs hourly, so check the return schedule. Back at the port by noon, grab lunch at the nearby Udon Baka Ichidai (2-1-18 Konyamachi, open 10:00-15:00, closed Wednesdays) for a bowl of sanuki udon from 500 yen.
π― Day 1 Afternoon: Ritsurin Garden
From Takamatsu Station, take the Kotoden Kotohira Line to Ritsurin Koen Station (5 minutes, 200 yen) or walk 20 minutes. Ritsurin Garden is open 7:00-17:00 (until 18:00 in summer) and costs 410 yen. Spend two hours exploring the ponds and teahouses, then enjoy matcha at Kikugetsu-tei (700 yen) with garden views. Exit by 16:00 to avoid the crowds.
π Day 1 Evening: Takamatsu Downtown
Walk 15 minutes from Ritsurin Garden to the downtown area around Marugamemachi. For dinner, try Honetsukidori Ikkaku (1-6-8 Togiyacho, open 17:00-23:00, closed Sundays) for juicy bone-in chicken, about 1,200 yen. Afterward, stroll through the covered arcades (open until 20:00) and visit a local izakaya like Kotori (2-1-5 Kawaramachi, open 18:00-2:00) for drinks and small plates.
β©οΈ Day 2 Morning: Yashima Plateau
Take the Kotoden Shido Line from Takamatsu-Chikko Station to Yashima Station (15 minutes, 300 yen), then a shuttle bus to Yashima Plateau (5 minutes, 100 yen). Visit Yashima-ji Temple, the 84th stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, and enjoy panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. The plateau is open 24 hours, but the temple's main hall is open 8:00-17:00. Have lunch at the nearby Yashima Sanjo Restaurant (open 10:00-16:00) for seafood bowls from 1,500 yen.
ποΈ Day 2 Afternoon: Shikoku Village
From Yashima Plateau, take a bus back to Yashima Station and then a taxi (10 minutes, about 1,500 yen) to Shikoku Village, an open-air museum of traditional houses. It's open 8:30-17:00 (until 16:30 in winter) and costs 800 yen. Explore the thatched-roof farmhouses and crafts, then return to central Takamatsu by taxi (20 minutes, about 2,500 yen) or bus (40 minutes, 500 yen).
πΆ Day 2 Evening: Udon and Izakaya
Back in downtown, visit Udon Honjin Yamadaya (1-10-15 Konyamachi, open 11:00-21:00) for a hearty udon dinner, around 800 yen. Then head to the lively izakaya district near Kawaramachi Station, where places like Warayakiya (2-1-5 Kawaramachi, open 17:00-24:00) offer local sake and katsuo no tataki (seared bonito) for about 1,000 yen. The area is a 10-minute walk from Takamatsu Station.
π Day 3 Morning: Kotohira Day Trip
Take the JR Dosan Line from Takamatsu Station to Kotohira Station (about 60 minutes, 1,500 yen) and then walk 15 minutes to Kotohira-gu Shrine. Climb the 785 steps to the main shrine for a rewarding view (allow 1.5 hours round trip). Before leaving, try the local specialty honetsukidori at Kotohira Udon (open 10:00-16:00) near the station.
ποΈ Day 3 Afternoon: Shopping and Departure
Return to Takamatsu by 14:00 and spend the afternoon shopping for souvenirs at Takamatsu Symbol Tower (2-1 Sunport, open 10:00-20:00) or the Marugamemachi arcade. Pick up sanuki udon kits or olive oil products as gifts. If time allows, visit the Takamatsu City Museum of Art (10 minutes on foot from Symbol Tower, open 9:30-17:00, closed Mondays) before heading to the station for your departure.
Solid plan overall. One thing I'd swap: skip the taxi to Shikoku Village and take the Kotoden bus from Yashima, it's cheaper and drops you right at the gate. Also Ikkaku gets packed after 7, so go early or you'll wait.
Honestly the ferry timing note is the most useful part of this. I'd add that the port area near the station has lockers big enough for a carry-on, so you can dump bags before the island run instead of hauling them on the boat. Also udon shops close when they run out of broth, sometimes before posted hours, so don't save a bowl for late afternoon.
Nice to see Kotohira get a full morning. One tweak: the steps are steady but the shrine spreads over several levels, so budget more than 1.5 hours if you want to reach the inner shrine. Also the Kotoden train from Kawaramachi is cheaper than JR if you're staying downtown. Udon Baka Ichidai is a good call, though the line moves fast around 11.