Things to Do in Utazu (宇多津町), Kagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Utazu (宇多津町) in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Gōshō-ji, temple 78 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Shikoku Aquarium, the largest in Shikoku, Kompirasan (琴平宮) and served by Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) via the regional hub at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port. Set at 8 m elevation (34.3098°N, 133.8267°E), Utazu 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 Sakaide (坂出市) (3.2 km), Marugame (丸亀市) (3.8 km), Tadotsu (多度津町) (8.6 km), Zentsūji (善通寺市) (11.1 km).

Utazu is located in north-central of Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, and is bordered by the Seto Inland Sea to the north, Sakaide City to the east and Marugame City to the west. Its area is the smallest among municipalities in the prefecture. The area of Utazu was part of ancient Sanuki Province, and was the main port connecting Shikoku with the Kinai region in ancient times. From the Kamakura period, Utazu Castle was the stronghold of the Hosokawa clan, ruled as shugo of Shikoku. Utazu was traditionally known for its vast salt fields. Within Kagawa Prefecture, Utazu (宇多津町) 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 Utazu (宇多津町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Utazu (宇多津町) from Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) at 8 m elevation (34.3098°N, 133.8267°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Utazu):

• Gōshō-ji, temple 78 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage — local sightseeing landmark near Utazu (宇多津町).
• Shikoku Aquarium, the largest in Shikoku — local sightseeing landmark near Utazu (宇多津町).
• Kompirasan (琴平宮) — local sightseeing landmark near Utazu (宇多津町).
• Setonaikai Kokuritsukōen — local sightseeing landmark near Utazu (宇多津町).
• Ōtsuchi Jima (大槌島) — local sightseeing landmark near Utazu (宇多津町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Utazu: Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) (connecting to Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Utazu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Utazu (宇多津町) and Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Sakaide (坂出市) — 3.2 km from Utazu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Marugame (丸亀市) — 3.8 km from Utazu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Tadotsu (多度津町) — 8.6 km from Utazu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Zentsūji (善通寺市) — 11.1 km from Utazu (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Kotohira (琴平町) — 12.7 km from Utazu (Kagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Utazu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Utazu (宇多津町) via Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 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 Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) to reach central Utazu (34.3098°N, 133.8267°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Takamatsu with Utazu (宇多津町) and neighboring Sakaide, Marugame, Tadotsu. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Utazu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Utazu and continuing toward Sakaide 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 Utazu: While Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) anchors public transit for Utazu, picking up a rental car at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port makes it easy to link Gōshō-ji, temple 78 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and Shikoku Aquarium, the largest in Shikoku with nearby Sakaide (坂出市) (3.2 km), Marugame (丸亀市) (3.8 km), Tadotsu (多度津町) (8.6 km), Zentsūji (善通寺市) (11.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Utazu (宇多津町) & Kagawa

Dining near Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) and across Utazu (宇多津町) highlights the regional food culture of Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Utazu:

• Local specialty & terroir of Utazu (宇多津町): sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming alongside coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets.
• Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style) — regional specialty enjoyed across Utazu (宇多津町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame) — regional specialty enjoyed across Utazu (宇多津町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Shodoshima olives & soy sauce — regional specialty enjoyed across Utazu (宇多津町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls — regional specialty enjoyed across Utazu (宇多津町) and Kagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Utazu (宇多津町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km).

Where to Stay in Utazu (宇多津町)

Visitors staying overnight in Utazu (宇多津町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km), or base at major rail hubs in Takamatsu (Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port) or neighboring Sakaide, Marugame, Tadotsu for quick train access into Utazu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Utazu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Utazu (宇多津町, 8 m elevation at 34.3098°N, 133.8267°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 Gōshō-ji, temple 78 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Utazu (宇多津町) 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 Utazu (宇多津町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Utazu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port or Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) for local bus schedules to Gōshō-ji, temple 78 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and walking maps of Utazu (宇多津町).
• Cash & ATMs in Utazu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Gōshō-ji, temple 78 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Utazu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Utazu: Around Utazu Station (宇多津駅) (1.3 km) and neighboring Sakaide, Marugame, Tadotsu, 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.