Japan · Region
Takamatsu
Takamatsu is Shikoku's main gateway, a compact port city built around the Michelin three-starred Ritsurin Garden and a devotion to Sanuki udon that borders on civic religion. It also serves as the launchpad for ferries into the Seto Inland Sea, where art islands like Naoshima and Teshima draw travellers out onto the water.
Top attractions
Hidden gems
hidden gem Kagawa Museum: Takamatsu Travel Guide (4.1★)
Kagawa Museum sits in Tamamochō, Takamatsu, next to Tamamo Park and the seawater moats of Takamatsu Castle. 4.1★ (805 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Takamatsu Castle Park: Travel Guide (4.0★)
Takamatsu Castle Park sits beside Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station in central Takamatsu, about a five-minute walk from JR Takamatsu Station. 4.0★ (4,130 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Takamatsu
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Where to stay in Takamatsu
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Plan your trip to Takamatsu
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Frequently asked questions about Takamatsu
How do I get to Takamatsu?
Most travellers arrive by train: from Osaka, take the Shinkansen to Okayama, then transfer to the JR Marine Liner into JR Takamatsu Station, a journey of roughly 2 to 3 hours. Takamatsu Airport (TAK) also has domestic and a handful of international flights, with buses from the regional hub running into the city centre.
How many days should I spend in Takamatsu?
Plan on ~2 days: enough time for Ritsurin Garden, an udon crawl through the arcades, and a half-day ferry trip to one of the nearby art islands.
What is Takamatsu known for?
Takamatsu is Shikoku's main gateway, a compact port city built around the Michelin three-starred Ritsurin Garden and a devotion to Sanuki udon that borders on civic religion. It also serves as the launchpad for ferries into the Seto Inland Sea, where art islands like Naoshima and Teshima draw travellers out onto the water.