Northeastern Kagawa Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea on Shikoku’s northern coast
Gateway to Shikoku, Takamatsu blends Edo-period elegance with contemporary creativity. Stroll through Ritsurin Garden, a three-star Michelin masterpiece, then board a ferry to Naoshima, where art and nature merge on a tranquil island. For history, climb Yashima—site of a decisive 12th-century samurai battle—and gaze across the Seto Inland Sea where warriors once clashed. A city of gardens, art islands, and living history.
Garden, Naoshima, Yashima, Sanuki udon, Takamatsu Castle ruins, island hopping, shopping arcade
Hotels, ryokan, guesthouses, island lodges
Discover the region：Takamatsu
Takamatsu, the capital of Kagawa Prefecture, sits on the northeastern edge of Shikoku. Look north, and the calm Seto Inland Sea stretches toward Okayama Prefecture on the mainland. To the east, the path leads through Awaji Island to the Kansai region. Once a thriving gateway to Shikoku, this port city remains a vital link between Honshu and Shikoku to this day.
In the heart of the city lies Ritsurin Garden, awarded three stars—the highest rating of “worth a special journey”—in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Preserving the landscape design traditions of the early Edo period, the garden has earned worldwide recognition for its historical and cultural significance. Across approximately 75 hectares, six ponds and thirteen sculpted hills are meticulously arranged, with Mount Shiun as a borrowed backdrop creating a landscape of breathtaking grandeur. Known as a garden of “one step, one view,” each turn in the path reveals a new scene, offering endless discoveries for those who wander through.
Scattered across the waters off Takamatsu are islands that hold stories transcending time. Some have captured the world’s attention as destinations at the forefront of contemporary art, while others quietly preserve memories of battles that shaped the course of Japanese history.
A 50-minute ferry ride from Takamatsu Port brings you to Naoshima, renowned as one of the world’s premier art sanctuaries. Here, the entire island exists as a living museum, where nature and art coexist in quiet harmony. Encountering artworks that blend seamlessly into the landscape—this continuous sense of unexpected discovery deeply satisfies the intellectually curious traveler.
In contrast, Yashima, located approximately five kilometers east of the city center, is known as the stage of the Genpei War. In 1185, the Battle of Yashima—a fierce clash between the Genji and Heike clans—became a pivotal moment that altered the course of Japanese history. From the mountaintop observatory, you can gaze across the same Seto Inland Sea where warriors once fought with their lives on the line. In that magnificent view, the weight of centuries past still lingers.
With its long history, modern art, and beautiful gardens, Takamatsu has plenty of reasons to visit again and again.
