Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Kagawa Prefecture (香川県)
Kagawa Prefecture (香川県) is located in the Shikoku region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Takamatsu and primary transport gateway at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port. Spanning 17 cities, towns, and villages, Kagawa is renowned for 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.
| Kagawa Prefecture (香川県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Shikoku · Capital: Takamatsu |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port |
| Municipalities Covered | 17 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Takamatsu (高松市), Marugame (丸亀市), Mitoyo (三豊市), Kan'onji (観音寺市), Sakaide (坂出市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | 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, Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Kagawa Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Takamatsu or planning regional day trips from Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port, these top municipalities in Kagawa Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Takamatsu (高松市) — Core city (pop. 418,557, 375.11 km²) served by Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km); key local sights include Ritsurin Garden Special Place of Scenic Beauty (栗林公園), Takamatsu Castle / Tamamo Park (高松城跡・玉藻公園), Yashima Plateau & Yashima-ji Temple (屋島).
- Marugame (丸亀市) — City (pop. 110,550, 111.79 km²) served by Marugame Station (丸亀駅) (1.2 km); key local sights include Kaitenyama Kofun, National Historic Site, Shiwaku Kinbansho, National Historic Site, Kamima Shima (3.8 km).
- Mitoyo (三豊市) — City (pop. 69,997, 222.66 km²) served by Takase Station (高瀬駅) (0.4 km); key local sights include Daikō-ji, 69th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Iyadani-ji, 71st temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Shiudeyama Site, National Historic Site.
- Kan'onji (観音寺市) — City (pop. 64,020, 117.47 km²) served by Kanonji Station (観音寺駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Jinne-in, 68th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Kannon-ji, 69th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Kotohiki Hachiman-gū.
- Sakaide (坂出市) — City (pop. 56,501, 92.46 km²) served by Sakaide Station (坂出駅) (0.5 km); key local sights include Fuchu Dam, Great Seto Bridge, Kagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum,.
- Sanuki (さぬき市) — City (pop. 54,832, 158.90 km²) served by Shido Station (志度駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Dolphin Center, Kagawa Prefectural Kikaku park, Ōkubo-ji, 88th and final temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
How to get to Kagawa Prefecture
55m direct from Okayama Station across the Great Seto Bridge on the JR Marine Liner rapid train to Takamatsu. Once at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port, JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 17 municipalities in Kagawa. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Kagawa
When visiting cities across Kagawa, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style) — regional culinary specialty across Kagawa Prefecture (香川県).
- Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame) — regional culinary specialty across Kagawa Prefecture (香川県).
- Shodoshima olives & soy sauce — regional culinary specialty across Kagawa Prefecture (香川県).
- Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls — regional culinary specialty across Kagawa Prefecture (香川県).
Best time to visit Kagawa
Mild, sunny Seto Inland Sea climate makes spring (March–May) and autumn (Sept–Nov) ideal for island art hopping and climbing Kotohira-gu.
All 17 cities & municipalities in Kagawa Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takamatsu 高松市 | Core city | 418,557 | 375.11 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Marugame 丸亀市 | City | 110,550 | 111.79 km² | City guide → |
| Sakaide 坂出市 | City | 56,501 | 92.46 km² | City guide → |
| Zentsūji 善通寺市 | City | 35,180 | 39.88 km² | City guide → |
| Sanuki さぬき市 | City | 54,832 | 158.90 km² | City guide → |
| Higashikagawa 東かがわ市 | City | 34,953 | 153.35 km² | City guide → |
| Kan'onji 観音寺市 | City | 64,020 | 117.47 km² | City guide → |
| Mitoyo 三豊市 | City | 69,997 | 222.66 km² | City guide → |
| Naoshima 直島町 | Art island town | 3,103 | 14.22 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Tadotsu 多度津町 | Town (町) | 23,832 | 24.39 km² | City guide → |
| Miki 三木町 | Town (町) | 28,991 | 75.78 km² | City guide → |
| Mannō まんのう町 | Town (町) | 19,826 | 194.45 km² | City guide → |
| Ayagawa 綾川町 | Town (町) | 24,993 | 109.75 km² | City guide → |
| Kotohira 琴平町 | Town (町) | 9,798 | 8.47 km² | City guide → |
| Utazu 宇多津町 | Town (町) | 18,207 | 8.1 km² | City guide → |
| Tonoshō 土庄町 | Town (町) | 15,203 | 74.38 km² | City guide → |
| Shōdoshima 小豆島町 | Town (町) | 16,016 | 95.59 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Kagawa Prefecture (香川県)?
Top highlights across Kagawa Prefecture (香川県) in Japan's Shikoku region include 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. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Kagawa include Takamatsu (高松市), Marugame (丸亀市), Mitoyo (三豊市), Kan'onji (観音寺市), Sakaide (坂出市).
How do I get to Kagawa Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Kagawa Prefecture is Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port (prefectural capital: Takamatsu). 55m direct from Okayama Station across the Great Seto Bridge on the JR Marine Liner rapid train to Takamatsu. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Kagawa Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Kagawa Prefecture (香川県) include 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, Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls—served at station restaurants around Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port, local morning markets, and izakaya in Takamatsu and Marugame.
When is the best time of year to visit Kagawa Prefecture?
Mild, sunny Seto Inland Sea climate makes spring (March–May) and autumn (Sept–Nov) ideal for island art hopping and climbing Kotohira-gu. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.