Takamatsu presents a paradox, at the least for me. Though it’s dwelling to one among my favourite particular person points of interest in Japan—Ritsurin Backyard—I extra typically use it as a base for exploring surrounding Kagawa prefecture today.
Which is why a few years in the past, once I had the chance to discover the town extra intently, I took it. Amongst different issues, it was attention-grabbing to understand how despite seeming “small” on the map, Takamatsu’s footprint is surprisingly…elongated. However extra on that in a minute.
Certainly, the concept is that after studying by way of this listing of issues to do in Takamatsu, you need to use what I’ve realized over practically a decade, after which plan your journey in minutes. Sound good?
Why Ought to You Go to Takamatsu?
I’ll get to particular issues to do in Takamatsu in only a second, however for now, let’s converse in broader strokes. Takamatsu isn’t a metropolis that the majority foreigners might discover on a map; it’s additionally not a well-liked vacation spot for Japanese home vacationers. Importantly, it does function a rail and sea hyperlink between Shikoku and Honshu. Direct practice providers function between Takamatsu and Okayama, whereas quite a lot of ferries and different vessels join the 2 islands, typically through smaller ones within the Seto Inland Sea.
So why is Takamatsu price visiting, the benefit of doing so however? It comes down to 3 issues: 1) Wonderful (albeit restricted) city-center points of interest; 2) Nice locations inside day-trip distances; 3) The standing of the town as a gateway to or from Shikoku. Whether or not you start or finish your journey right here, it’s extraordinarily simple to mix Takamatsu with Shikoku’s different cities, to not point out the agricultural paradises between them.
What to Do in Takamatsu
Stroll by way of Ritusrin Backyard
I can’t say, for sure, that Takamatsu’s Ritsurin Backyard is essentially the most stunning backyard in Japan, even when it’s very excessive up on my listing. Constructed within the early seventeenth century by one of many feudal lords ruling over the realm on the time, the luxurious backyard has somewhat little bit of the whole lot. It’s an awesome place to see cherry blossoms and autumn colours but additionally, any time of 12 months, on account of its many evergreen timber and the truth that colourful koi are virtually at all times swimming in its waterways.
Discover the Takamatsu Fort Ruins
Takamatsu Fort doesn’t usually rank excessive amongst issues to do in Takamatsu, and is a spot I largely ignored for years. Nevertheless, a current stroll by way of the so-called ruins (which are literally extra intact than I spotted) modified my thoughts one this. Along with trying stunning inside the context of recent Takamatsu, the citadel web site has a viewpoint that provides an superior view of the Seto Inland Sea.
Experience a ship to Megijima
At a naked minimal, Takamatsu-jo is a pleasant stopping off level. En path to the place? The Sunport, which is the place boats to outlying islands depart. I’ll get to a (very well-known) one among these in only a minute, however my favourite is barely lesser identified. Megijima is very price visiting if you happen to occur to be on the town when the Takamatsu cherry blossoms are blooming, however supplies superior surroundings and ambiance any day of the 12 months.
Go to Marugame for a day
Now, let’s transition within the a part of the dialogue the place issues to do in Takamatsu go on to day journeys. The primary of those you may take is to Marugame, a smaller metropolis about 30 km to the west. Along with being dwelling to a citadel way more spectacular than Takamatsu’s personal (Marugame Fort might be amongst my favourite such fortresses in all of Japan), Marugame is legendary for beef udon noodle soup, which you will discover throughout city.
(Or to Kotohira-Gu, for a morning or afternoon)
Kotohira is about half-hour south of Marugame; you would mix the locations right into a single journey so you may get pleasure from day journeys from Takamatsu for the worth (or, at the least, the hassle) of 1. So far as what to do in Kotohira? Scaling the magnificent Kotohira-gu shrine, which some information say dates again so far as the first century. Whether or not the timber billowing over you as you climb are deep summer season inexperienced or frosted with sakura, there are few different locations in Japan so enchanting.
TIP: Open to renting a automotive throughout your keep in Takamatsu? Take into account visiting Takaya-jinja Shrine, aka the “Torii within the Sky,” or Chichibugahama seashore, which is just under it at floor stage.
The place to Keep in Takamatsu
As is the case with most secondary cities in Japan, Takamatsu inns go away one thing to be desired. The benefit of such low expectations, in fact, is that the properties you do discover right here will do something however disappoint you. Most are what I like to think about as boutique (some, not-so-boutique) enterprise lodge properties, similar to Tremendous Resort and the town’s department of Daiwa Roynet, one among my favourite homegrown Japanese lodge manufacturers.
Which isn’t to say there aren’t nicer inns in Takamatsu. JR Resort Clement Takamatsu, for instance, is just some minutes by foot from JR Takamatsu Station, to say nothing of the truth that it’s handy to lots of my favourite issues to do in Takamatsu. Takamatsu additionally boasts a number of dozen Airbnb residences, though I doubt you’ll stay within the metropolis lengthy sufficient to make availing one among these worthwhile.
What About Naoshima?
Should you’ve ever Googled “Japan artwork island” and both haven’t provide you with a reputation or can’t keep in mind it, enable me that can assist you. You’re pondering of Naoshima, which is accessible through ferry each from Takamatsu and from Okayama. Should you’ve arrived at this text through Google, I’ll assume your journey plans are centered on Takamatsu, at the least for the second. Not that it issues: You possibly can arrive on Naoshima through one metropolis and exit through the opposite.
At any fee, I was agnostic about Naoshima, however am now fairly captivated with it, at the same time as somebody who just isn’t an “artwork individual,” as such. Moreover, whereas I’ve lastly stayed on the Benesse Home Museum Resort—and am glad I did it, however in all probability wouldn’t do it once more—I don’t suppose doing so is critical to get pleasure from your journey to Naoshima. Click on right here to learn extra of my ideas about Naoshima.
Different FAQ About Journey to Takamatsu
Is Takamatsu price visiting?
Takamatsu is unquestionably price visiting, if just for an opportunity to traipse by way of Ritsurin Backyard, which is one among my favourite conventional Japanese gardens in Japan. Domestically well-known udon noodles are the icing on the cake, and supply an irresistible culinary dimension to your journey.
What meals is Takamatsu identified for?
Takamatsu is understood for udon noodles, that are additionally well-known in Kagawa prefecture extra broadly. Understand that whereas there are many Udon eating places in Takamatsu-proper, the very best udon is definitely present in Marugame, a citadel city about an hour from Takamatsu by practice.
Is the library in Kafka on the Shore actual?
The dangerous information? The library in Kafka on the Shore just isn’t actual. The excellent news? You possibly can go to the city of Sakaide, which impressed the scenes which have the library in them, by taking an area practice solely about quarter-hour from Takamatsu. I like to recommend re-reading the e book simply earlier than you journey for the last word immersion!
The Backside Line
Takamatsu is eclectic and enthralling, however manageable in simply a few days—particularly with my listing of issues to do in Takamatsu in hand. The higher information? Whether or not you pop over from Okayama (and head instantly again), or combine Takamatsu into a bigger Shikoku itinerary, a visit right here is price each little bit of effort you set in. Furthermore, whereas Takamatsu’s most well-known attraction (Ritsurin Backyard) lives as much as each little bit of the hype constructed up round it, it’s merely the start of all there’s to find right here. Nonetheless really feel stumped as you intend your Shikoku journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary—and let me sweat the main points!