Things to Do in Marugame (丸亀市), Kagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Marugame (丸亀市) in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kaitenyama Kofun, National Historic Site, Shiwaku Kinbansho, National Historic Site, Kamima Shima (3.8 km) and served by Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) via the regional hub at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port. Set at 5 m elevation (34.2833°N, 133.8000°E), Marugame 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 Utazu (宇多津町) (3.8 km), Tadotsu (多度津町) (5.2 km), Sakaide (坂出市) (6.7 km), Zentsūji (善通寺市) (7.6 km).

Marugame is located in north-center Kagawa Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north. The city covers the northeastern part of the Marugame Plain and part of the Shiwaku Islands. The area of Marugame was part of ancient Sanuki Province and has been inhabited since ancient times, with many kofun burial mounds found within the city limits. From the Heian period onwards, it was noted as an entry point for pilgrims to the Kotohira-gū shrine. Marugame has a mixed economy centered on agriculture (rice, vegetables, chicken, peaches) and manufacturing along a coastal belt of reclaimed land which contains a number of industrial parks, textile plants and shipyards. Within Kagawa Prefecture, Marugame (丸亀市) serves as a city in Kagawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1899-04-01) 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 Marugame (丸亀市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Marugame (丸亀市) from Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) at 5 m elevation (34.2833°N, 133.8000°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Marugame):

• Kaitenyama Kofun, National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Marugame (丸亀市).
• Shiwaku Kinbansho, National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Marugame (丸亀市).
• Kamima Shima (3.8 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Marugame (丸亀市).
• Shimoma Shima (3.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Marugame (丸亀市).
• Iino Yama (4.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Marugame (丸亀市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Marugame: Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) (connecting to Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Marugame

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Marugame (丸亀市) and Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Utazu (宇多津町) — 3.8 km from Marugame (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Tadotsu (多度津町) — 5.2 km from Marugame (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Sakaide (坂出市) — 6.7 km from Marugame (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Zentsūji (善通寺市) — 7.6 km from Marugame (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Kotohira (琴平町) — 9.9 km from Marugame (Kagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Marugame & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Marugame (丸亀市) via Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 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 Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) to reach central Marugame (34.2833°N, 133.8000°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Takamatsu with Marugame (丸亀市) and neighboring Utazu, Tadotsu, Sakaide. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Marugame, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Marugame and continuing toward Utazu 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 Marugame: While Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) anchors public transit for Marugame, picking up a rental car at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port makes it easy to link Kaitenyama Kofun, National Historic Site and Shiwaku Kinbansho, National Historic Site with nearby Utazu (宇多津町) (3.8 km), Tadotsu (多度津町) (5.2 km), Sakaide (坂出市) (6.7 km), Zentsūji (善通寺市) (7.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Marugame (丸亀市) & Kagawa

Dining near Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) and across Marugame (丸亀市) highlights the regional food culture of Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Marugame:

• Local specialty & terroir of Marugame (丸亀市): sweet peach orchards and basin fruit cultivation alongside historic cotton and textile weaving, dyeing crafts, and local commerce.
• Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style) — regional specialty enjoyed across Marugame (丸亀市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame) — regional specialty enjoyed across Marugame (丸亀市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Shodoshima olives & soy sauce — regional specialty enjoyed across Marugame (丸亀市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls — regional specialty enjoyed across Marugame (丸亀市) and Kagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Marugame (丸亀市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km).

Where to Stay in Marugame (丸亀市)

Visitors staying overnight in Marugame (丸亀市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km), or base at major rail hubs in Takamatsu (Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port) or neighboring Utazu, Tadotsu, Sakaide for quick train access into Marugame. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Marugame & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Marugame (丸亀市, 5 m elevation at 34.2833°N, 133.8000°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 Kaitenyama Kofun, National Historic Site in Marugame (丸亀市) 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 Marugame (丸亀市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Marugame: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port or Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) for local bus schedules to Kaitenyama Kofun, National Historic Site and walking maps of Marugame (丸亀市).
• Cash & ATMs in Marugame: Convenience stores and major hotels around Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kaitenyama Kofun, National Historic Site often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Marugame accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Marugame: Around Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km) and neighboring Utazu, Tadotsu, Sakaide, 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.