Description
Takamatsu is a relaxed port city on Japan’s Shikoku Island, famous as the gateway to the art filled islands of the Seto Inland Sea. It is best known for Ritsurin Garden, one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan, featuring tranquil ponds, tea houses, and the dramatic backdrop of Mt. Shiun. The city is also the "Udon Capital" of the world, where you can find hundreds of shops serving its signature Sanuki Udon noodles. With its historic castle ruins, a massive covered shopping arcade, and a scenic ferry terminal, it blends traditional Japanese charm with a laid-back coastal vibe.
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Things to do
Shikoku Mura Museum
A visit to the Shikoku Mura Museum is like stepping back in time to experience rural Japanese life. Located at the base of Mt. Yashima, this open-air museum features over 30 traditional buildings, including farmhouses, a soy sauce storehouse, and a kabuki theatre, all relocated from across the region. You can walk across a vine suspension bridge, explore historic workshops, and see how people lived and worked centuries ago. The museum is set in a lush, hilly forest, making it a peaceful place to explore Japanese architecture and history.
Yashima Plateau
Yashima Plateau offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and its many islands. This "flat topped" volcanic mountain is famous as the site of a historic 12th century naval battle and is home to the ancient Yashimaji Temple, a stop on the famous Shikoku Pilgrimage. You can stroll along the scenic clifftop walkways, visit the mountain top aquarium, or explore the "New Yashima" (Yashimāru) pavilion, which features modern architecture and a 360-degree lookout gallery.
Ritsurin Garden
Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan's most famous and beautiful historic gardens. It features six peaceful ponds and green hills that look like a living painting. You can walk the scenic paths, enjoy green tea in a traditional teahouse, or take a wooden boat ride to see the garden from the water.