Things to Do in Higashikagawa (東かがわ市), Kagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Toramaru Puppet Land, a puppet theater, operates near Ōchi., Shirotori Zoo is the only zoo in Kagawa Prefecture., Kabukoshi-saki (1.4 km) and served by Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) via the regional hub at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port. Set at 59 m elevation (34.2500°N, 134.3667°E), Higashikagawa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style), Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame), Shodoshima olives & soy sauce cuisine and exploring neighboring Itano (板野町) (13.1 km), Kamiita (上板町) (13.7 km), Awa (阿波市) (17.7 km), Aizumi (藍住町) (17.9 km).

Higashikagawa is located in far eastern Kagawa Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north. The south borders Tokushima Prefecture through the Sanuki Mountains, which stretch from east to west. The area of Higashikagawa was part of ancient Sanuki Province. From the Heian period the Hiketa port prospered as a good natural harbor and a gateway to Shikoku from the Kinai region. Higashikagawa has a mixed economy centered on light manufacturing, commercial fishing and agriculture. Within Kagawa Prefecture, Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) serves as a city in Kagawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2003-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu (one of Japan's finest landscape gardens), Naoshima & Teshima contemporary art islands, 1,368 steps of Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san), and original hilltop Marugame Castle.

What to See & Do in Higashikagawa (東かがわ市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) from Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) at 59 m elevation (34.2500°N, 134.3667°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Higashikagawa):

• Toramaru Puppet Land, a puppet theater, operates near Ōchi. — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikagawa (東かがわ市).
• Shirotori Zoo is the only zoo in Kagawa Prefecture. — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikagawa (東かがわ市).
• Kabukoshi-saki (1.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikagawa (東かがわ市).
• Hitogo Jima (3.2 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikagawa (東かがわ市).
• Marukame-jima (7.2 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikagawa (東かがわ市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Higashikagawa: Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) (connecting to Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Higashikagawa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) and Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Itano (板野町) — 13.1 km from Higashikagawa (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Kamiita (上板町) — 13.7 km from Higashikagawa (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Awa (阿波市) — 17.7 km from Higashikagawa (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Aizumi (藍住町) — 17.9 km from Higashikagawa (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Sanuki (さぬき市) — 18.9 km from Higashikagawa (Kagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Higashikagawa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) via Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km): 55m direct from Okayama Station across the Great Seto Bridge on the JR Marine Liner rapid train to Takamatsu. From Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) to reach central Higashikagawa (34.2500°N, 134.3667°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Takamatsu with Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) and neighboring Itano, Kamiita, Awa. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Higashikagawa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Higashikagawa and continuing toward Itano can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Higashikagawa: While Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) anchors public transit for Higashikagawa, picking up a rental car at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port makes it easy to link Toramaru Puppet Land, a puppet theater, operates near Ōchi. and Shirotori Zoo is the only zoo in Kagawa Prefecture. with nearby Itano (板野町) (13.1 km), Kamiita (上板町) (13.7 km), Awa (阿波市) (17.7 km), Aizumi (藍住町) (17.9 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) & Kagawa

Dining near Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) and across Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) highlights the regional food culture of Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Higashikagawa:

• Local specialty & terroir of Higashikagawa (東かがわ市): coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets alongside historic castle-town (jōkamachi) streetscapes, samurai heritage, and local crafts.
• Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style) — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame) — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Shodoshima olives & soy sauce — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) and Kagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km).

Where to Stay in Higashikagawa (東かがわ市)

Visitors staying overnight in Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km), or base at major rail hubs in Takamatsu (Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port) or neighboring Itano, Kamiita, Awa for quick train access into Higashikagawa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Higashikagawa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Higashikagawa (東かがわ市, 59 m elevation at 34.2500°N, 134.3667°E): Mild, sunny Seto Inland Sea climate makes spring (March–May) and autumn (Sept–Nov) ideal for island art hopping and climbing Kotohira-gu.

Wider sightseeing across Kagawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Toramaru Puppet Land, a puppet theater, operates near Ōchi. in Higashikagawa (東かがわ市) includes: Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu (one of Japan's finest landscape gardens), Naoshima & Teshima contemporary art islands, 1,368 steps of Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san), and original hilltop Marugame Castle.

Practical Travel Tips for Higashikagawa (東かがわ市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Higashikagawa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port or Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) for local bus schedules to Toramaru Puppet Land, a puppet theater, operates near Ōchi. and walking maps of Higashikagawa (東かがわ市).
• Cash & ATMs in Higashikagawa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Toramaru Puppet Land, a puppet theater, operates near Ōchi. often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Higashikagawa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Higashikagawa: Around Sanuki Shirotori Station (讃岐白鳥駅) (0.7 km) and neighboring Itano, Kamiita, Awa, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.