Takamatsu

Takamatsu has comfortable weather in spring and autumn, making it good for walking and island hopping.

Takamatsu is both a transport hub for the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and a city worth enjoying at a slow pace. With harbor views, local food, and art spaces, a 3–4 day stay gives you a relaxed schedule.

Classic 4-Day, 3-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Takamatsu, First Taste of the City
  • Morning: After arriving at Takamatsu Airport, take the airport bus to your hotel in the city. The ride takes about 40 minutes.
  • Afternoon: Walk around Tamamo Park, the site of Takamatsu Castle, then head to the seaside boardwalk at dusk to watch the sunset and get a feel for the everyday rhythm of this port city.

• Evening: Have dinner on Marugamemachi Shopping Street and try Sanuki udon, the area’s signature dish.

• Day 2: Naoshima, the Art Island
  • Full day: Take a ferry from Takamatsu Port to Naoshima. You can visit Yayoi Kusama’s Red Pumpkin, the Chichu Art Museum, and Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Time Corridors, then cycle along the seaside road to experience the mix of architecture, art, and coastal scenery.

• Evening: Return to central Takamatsu and try the local specialty honetsukidori, grilled chicken on the bone.

• Day 3: Teshima, Where Nature and Art Meet
  • Full day: Take a ferry to Teshima. Visit the Teshima Art Museum, where photography is not allowed and the atmosphere is quiet. You can also go to spots such as the seaside basketball hoop and the photogenic downhill curve to enjoy the coastal scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.

• Evening: After returning to Takamatsu, you can have a drink at an izakaya and experience the local nighttime dining scene.

• Day 4: A Top-Tier Japanese Garden, Then Departure
  • Morning: Visit Ritsurin Garden, a Michelin three-star attraction. Try a hand-rowed boat ride, then take a tea break at Kikugetsu-tei.

• Afternoon: Go to Takamatsu Station to buy souvenirs, then take the airport bus for your return trip.

Must-Visit Attractions

• Ritsurin Garden: One of Japan’s representative Japanese gardens, rated three stars by the Michelin Green Guide. It is best to enter early in the morning, take a hand-rowed boat to view the garden from the water, and have tea at Kikugetsu-tei in the afternoon to appreciate its calm, restrained garden aesthetics.

• Naoshima: Best for travelers interested in contemporary art. In addition to the pumpkin works, the Chichu Art Museum and the Art House Project are also worth planning a special visit for. It is recommended to reserve museum tickets two months in advance.

• Teshima: Quieter and more natural overall than Naoshima. The Teshima Art Museum offers an experience where time, space, and nature sit side by side, while the seaside roads and scenic stops along the way are also good for photos.

• Shikoku Aquarium: Located in Utazu, the aquarium has a wide variety of marine life and also offers a clam-opening experience. It is very enjoyable overall and suitable for families with children.

• Kotohiragu Shrine: This shrine has appeared in locations connected to Conan and Chibi Maruko-chan. Visiting requires climbing more than 700 steps. The views along the way are open and expansive, making it suitable for visitors who enjoy hiking and shrine culture.

Must-Try Food Recommendations

• Sanuki Udon: Takamatsu’s most representative local dish. Options include Tsurumaru, which opens at 8 p.m. and is known for curry udon; Matsushita Seimenjo, featured in Solitary Gourmet and offering self-service noodle heating; and Moriya, known for the texture of its handmade noodles.

• Honetsukidori: Takamatsu’s specialty grilled chicken on the bone, commonly available as young chicken or mature chicken. Young chicken has crisp skin and tender meat, while mature chicken has a firmer chew. You can try it at Ranmaru or an old restaurant in the city center.

• Seafood Dishes: You can go to Kaisenyumaimonya Hamakaido, where the sashimi platters are fairly consistent in both portion size and quality. The standing oyster bar near the pier is also good for fresh seafood.

• Japanese Yakiniku: Koshitsu Yakiniku Itohroin has private rooms and serves good-quality A5 wagyu beef.

Accommodation Suggestions

• JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu: Conveniently located right outside the station and also close to Takamatsu Port, making it suitable for island-hopping itineraries. The hotel has a large public bath, good room security, and self-service facilities on the guest floors.

• KOKO HOTEL Takamatsu: Close to a Kotoden station and connected to the surrounding shopping streets, with convenient access to the port. It suits itineraries focused mainly on walking around the city.

• Travel Book Hotel: Good for travelers choosing a hostel. Located in Kawaramachi, it is convenient for dining, accommodation, and transport. The women-only dorm has private bathing facilities, and there is a bar and dining area on the first floor.

Transport and Practical Information

• Getting There: There are direct flights from Shanghai to Takamatsu Airport; you can also take a direct JR train from Osaka.
• Local Transport: From the airport, you can take a bus into the city. Within the city, transport mainly relies on Kotoden trains and buses. To reach the islands, take ferries from Takamatsu Port; ferry tickets are cash only.
• Island-Hopping Tips: Be sure to reserve museums on Naoshima and Teshima in advance through their official websites. Renting an electric-assist bicycle on the islands gives you more flexibility. It is also recommended to bring cash and some snacks or light food.
• Best Time to Visit: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) have more comfortable weather. During the Setouchi Triennale, which is usually held once every three years, plan well in advance.