Things to Do in Mannō (まんのう町), Kagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Mannō (まんのう町) in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Manno Lake:, Sanuki Manno National Park:, Sunflower fields and the Sunflower Festival: and served by Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) via the regional hub at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port. Set at 386 m elevation (34.1433°N, 133.9107°E), Mannō 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 Ayagawa (綾川町) (8.9 km), Kotohira (琴平町) (10.3 km), Higashimiyoshi (東みよし町) (12 km), Zentsūji (善通寺市) (14.3 km).

Manno is located at the northern foot of the Sanuki Mountains, which includes the highest peak in Kagawa Prefecture, the west peak of Mount Ryuo (1060 meters), and the second highest peak, Mount Okawa (1043 meters). Spread over hills in southern Kagawa Prefecture, the town has more than 900 large and small reservoirs, including Manno Lake, the largest irrigation reservoir in Japan. The area of Mannō was part of ancient Sanuki Province. During the Edo Period, the town area was divided between the holdings of Takamatsu Domain, Marugame Domain and direct (tenryō) holdings of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The local economy is heavily centered on agriculture. Within Kagawa Prefecture, Mannō (まんのう町) serves as a town (町) in Kagawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) 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 Mannō (まんのう町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Mannō (まんのう町) from Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) at 386 m elevation (34.1433°N, 133.9107°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Mannō):

• Manno Lake: — local sightseeing landmark near Mannō (まんのう町).
• Sanuki Manno National Park: — local sightseeing landmark near Mannō (まんのう町).
• Sunflower fields and the Sunflower Festival: — local sightseeing landmark near Mannō (まんのう町).
• Ayako Rain Dance: — local sightseeing landmark near Mannō (まんのう町).
• Daisen Buddhist Rain Dance: — local sightseeing landmark near Mannō (まんのう町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Mannō: Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) (connecting to Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Mannō

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Mannō (まんのう町) and Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Ayagawa (綾川町) — 8.9 km from Mannō (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Kotohira (琴平町) — 10.3 km from Mannō (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Higashimiyoshi (東みよし町) — 12 km from Mannō (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Zentsūji (善通寺市) — 14.3 km from Mannō (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Miyoshi (三好市) — 16.2 km from Mannō (Tokushima Prefecture)

Getting to Mannō & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Mannō (まんのう町) via Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 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 Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) to reach central Mannō (34.1433°N, 133.9107°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Takamatsu with Mannō (まんのう町) and neighboring Ayagawa, Kotohira, Higashimiyoshi. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Mannō, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Mannō and continuing toward Ayagawa 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 Mannō: While Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) anchors public transit for Mannō, picking up a rental car at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port makes it easy to link Manno Lake: and Sanuki Manno National Park: with nearby Ayagawa (綾川町) (8.9 km), Kotohira (琴平町) (10.3 km), Higashimiyoshi (東みよし町) (12 km), Zentsūji (善通寺市) (14.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Mannō (まんのう町) & Kagawa

Dining near Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) and across Mannō (まんのう町) highlights the regional food culture of Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Mannō:

• Local specialty & terroir of Mannō (まんのう町): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style) — regional specialty enjoyed across Mannō (まんのう町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame) — regional specialty enjoyed across Mannō (まんのう町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Shodoshima olives & soy sauce — regional specialty enjoyed across Mannō (まんのう町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls — regional specialty enjoyed across Mannō (まんのう町) and Kagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Mannō (まんのう町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km).

Where to Stay in Mannō (まんのう町)

Visitors staying overnight in Mannō (まんのう町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Takamatsu (Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port) or neighboring Ayagawa, Kotohira, Higashimiyoshi for quick train access into Mannō. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Mannō & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Mannō (まんのう町, 386 m elevation at 34.1433°N, 133.9107°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 Manno Lake: in Mannō (まんのう町) 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 Mannō (まんのう町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Mannō: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port or Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) for local bus schedules to Manno Lake: and walking maps of Mannō (まんのう町).
• Cash & ATMs in Mannō: Convenience stores and major hotels around Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Manno Lake: often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Mannō accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Mannō: Around Shioiri Station (塩入駅) (5.8 km) and neighboring Ayagawa, Kotohira, Higashimiyoshi, 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.