Kagawa

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

Kagawa is Japan's smallest prefecture by area, occupying the northeastern corner of Shikoku island and facing the calm, island-dotted Seto Inland Sea. Its capital, Takamatsu, is the gateway city and home to Ritsurin Garden, widely rated among the country's finest strolling gardens.

Historically the old province of Sanuki, Kagawa is best known worldwide for two things: Sanuki udon, its beloved wheat-noodle dish, and the contemporary-art islands of the Seto Inland Sea such as Naoshima and Teshima. Other signature draws include Kotohira's hilltop Konpira Shrine, Zentsuji temple linked to the monk Kobo Daishi, Marugame Castle, and olive-growing Shodoshima island.

Kagawa enjoys the mild, low-rainfall Setouchi climate, so it is pleasant much of the year. Spring (late March to April) brings cherry blossoms to Ritsurin Garden and Marugame Castle, while autumn (November) delivers colourful foliage and comfortable hiking weather for the Konpira Shrine steps.

Summers (July to August) are hot and humid, though the sea breezes help; this is festival season but also peak heat. Winters are mild with little snow. Note the Setouchi Triennale art festival runs in spring, summer and autumn sessions of its host years, when the islands are at their liveliest but also busiest, so check dates in advance.

From Tokyo the usual route is the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama (roughly 3.5 to 4 hours), then the JR Marine Liner rapid train across the Seto Ohashi Bridge to Takamatsu, taking about 55 minutes. The Japan Rail Pass covers this whole journey.

Flying is often quicker: Takamatsu Airport has direct flights from Tokyo Haneda in around 1 hour 20 minutes, plus a bus link of roughly 40 minutes into central Takamatsu. From the Kansai region, highway buses and trains via Okayama both work well. Confirm current schedules and fares on JR and airline official sites before travelling.

Central Takamatsu and nearby sights are well served by JR lines (the Yosan and Dosan lines) and the private Kotoden railway, which conveniently links Takamatsu with Kotohira for Konpira Shrine. IC cards such as ICOCA work on most trains and buses.

For the art islands and Shodoshima, ferries depart from Takamatsu Port; timetables are limited, so plan around them. A rental car is genuinely useful for reaching rural udon shops, Shodoshima's olive parks and coastal viewpoints that public transport reaches slowly. Cycling is also popular on Shodoshima and around Takamatsu. Check current ferry and bus schedules on operator sites.

Kagawa is Japan's udon capital: Sanuki udon, with its thick, chewy, square-edged noodles, is eaten everywhere from cheap self-service counters to specialist shops, often as simple kake or bukkake udon with fresh toppings. Many locals treat udon-hopping as a day out.

Marugame is famous for honetsuki-dori, juicy bone-in grilled chicken seasoned with garlic and pepper. Shodoshima island is renowned for Japanese-grown olives, hand-stretched somen noodles and traditional soy sauce, while the town of Sanuki produces delicate wasanbon, a fine traditional sugar used in wagashi sweets.

The headline event is the Setouchi Triennale, a major international contemporary-art festival held roughly every three years across the Seto Inland Sea islands, with recent editions running in spring, summer and autumn sessions; check its official site for the next year and dates.

In summer, the Takamatsu Festival (around mid-August) fills the city with dancing and a large fireworks display over the harbour. Autumn brings vigorous chosa (danjiri) float festivals in towns such as Kan-onji and Toyohama, where lantern-decked floats are hoisted by teams of men. Timings shift yearly, so verify with local tourism offices.

Kagawa rewards a slow, food-focused itinerary. Many of the best udon shops are small, cash-friendly and open only for lunch, sometimes selling out by early afternoon, so eat udon early and carry some cash. Self-service shops can be confusing at first, so watch how locals order and top their bowls.

Budget extra time for island-hopping, as ferry frequencies are limited and popular Naoshima museums may require advance booking. Konpira Shrine involves climbing 785 stone steps to the main hall (1,368 to the inner shrine), so wear good shoes; walking sticks can be borrowed at the base. Always cross-check ferry, train and museum schedules on official sites, as these change seasonally.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.