Things to Do in Takamatsu (高松市), Kagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Takamatsu (高松市) in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including 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) and served by Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) via the regional hub at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port. Set at 17 m elevation (34.3500°N, 134.0500°E), Takamatsu 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 Sanuki (さぬき市) (12.3 km), Naoshima (直島町) (13.5 km), Miki (三木町) (15.2 km), Ayagawa (綾川町) (17.4 km).

It is the capital city of the prefecture. Takamatsu is located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. The city is located in the Takamatsu Plain, which is part of the Sanuki Plain, and is occupied by a gentle slope as a whole. The area of Takamatsu was part of ancient Sanuki Province. During the Heian and Kamakura period, as the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island, the area was a transportation center and gateway for pilgrims to the Kotohira Shrine. Within Kagawa Prefecture, Takamatsu (高松市) serves as the prefectural capital of Kagawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1890-02-15) 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 Takamatsu (高松市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Takamatsu (高松市) from Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) at 17 m elevation (34.3500°N, 134.0500°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Takamatsu):

• Ritsurin Garden Special Place of Scenic Beauty (栗林公園) — local sightseeing landmark near Takamatsu (高松市).
• Takamatsu Castle / Tamamo Park (高松城跡・玉藻公園) — local sightseeing landmark near Takamatsu (高松市).
• Yashima Plateau & Yashima-ji Temple (屋島) — local sightseeing landmark near Takamatsu (高松市).
• Shikoku Mura Open-Air Museum — local sightseeing landmark near Takamatsu (高松市).
• Koto River — local sightseeing landmark near Takamatsu (高松市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Takamatsu: Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) (connecting to Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Takamatsu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Takamatsu (高松市) and Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Sanuki (さぬき市) — 12.3 km from Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Naoshima (直島町) — 13.5 km from Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Miki (三木町) — 15.2 km from Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Ayagawa (綾川町) — 17.4 km from Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Sakaide (坂出市) — 17.8 km from Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Takamatsu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Takamatsu (高松市) via Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 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 Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) to reach central Takamatsu (34.3500°N, 134.0500°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Takamatsu (高松市) with neighboring Sanuki, Naoshima, Miki and wider Shikoku rail corridors. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Takamatsu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Takamatsu and continuing toward Sanuki 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 Takamatsu: While Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) anchors public transit for Takamatsu, picking up a rental car at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port makes it easy to link Ritsurin Garden Special Place of Scenic Beauty (栗林公園) and Takamatsu Castle / Tamamo Park (高松城跡・玉藻公園) with nearby Sanuki (さぬき市) (12.3 km), Naoshima (直島町) (13.5 km), Miki (三木町) (15.2 km), Ayagawa (綾川町) (17.4 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Takamatsu (高松市) & Kagawa

Dining near Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) and across Takamatsu (高松市) highlights the regional food culture of Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Takamatsu:

• Local specialty & terroir of Takamatsu (高松市): regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style) — regional specialty enjoyed across Takamatsu (高松市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame) — regional specialty enjoyed across Takamatsu (高松市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Shodoshima olives & soy sauce — regional specialty enjoyed across Takamatsu (高松市) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls — regional specialty enjoyed across Takamatsu (高松市) and Kagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Takamatsu (高松市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km).

Where to Stay in Takamatsu (高松市)

Visitors staying overnight in Takamatsu (高松市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km), or compare central neighborhoods around Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port with quieter stays in neighboring Sanuki, Naoshima, Miki. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Takamatsu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Takamatsu (高松市, 17 m elevation at 34.3500°N, 134.0500°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 Ritsurin Garden Special Place of Scenic Beauty (栗林公園) in Takamatsu (高松市) 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 Takamatsu (高松市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Takamatsu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port or Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) for local bus schedules to Ritsurin Garden Special Place of Scenic Beauty (栗林公園) and walking maps of Takamatsu (高松市).
• Cash & ATMs in Takamatsu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Ritsurin Garden Special Place of Scenic Beauty (栗林公園) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Takamatsu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Takamatsu: Around Takamatsu Station (高松駅) (0.3 km) and neighboring Sanuki, Naoshima, Miki, 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.