SHIKOKU · PREFECTURE GUIDE

Kagawa

For travelers drawn to art islands, gardens and udon.

BASETakamatsuIDEAL STAY3–5 daysPRIMARY GATEWAYTakamatsu Airport (TAK)

STARTER ROUTE · 3 DAYS

DAY 01

Naoshima

Base plan: Takamatsu for ferries; Naoshima for an island evening. Explore Naoshima on foot, then order Sanuki udon, hone-tsuki-dori and olive products for your first regional dinner.

DAY 02

Ritsurin Garden

Start early for Ritsurin Garden. Keep the afternoon flexible for a local workshop or food stop, and look for sanuki lacquerware and artisan fans.

DAY 03

Kotohira

Use the final day for Kotohira. Check the last return connection before departure and send large luggage ahead when buses are involved.

HOW TO ARRIVE

Use the airport bus to Takamatsu Station. Ferries depart from Takamatsu and Uno for the art islands.

EAT THIS

Sanuki udon, hone-tsuki-dori and olive products

WHEN TO GO

March–May and October–November; check museum closing days

WHERE TO BASE

Takamatsu for ferries; Naoshima for an island evening

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Make the route
work in real life.

A simple decision layer for first-time visitors: how long to stay, whether a car helps, what to reserve and what to do when the weather changes.

TIME3–5 days

CAROptional

NEXT STOPOkayama by ferry/rail or Tokushima eastbound.

ROUTE LOGIC

Move in one direction

Base in Takamatsu, reserve one island per day, then add Kotohira on the mainland.

GETTING AROUND

Know the final leg

Local rail is easy; ferries determine the island schedule.

BOOK AHEAD

Protect the hard parts

Art-island museums, ferry-linked rooms and seasonal installations.

BAD-WEATHER PLAN

Keep one useful fallback

Ritsurin Garden between showers, udon workshops and indoor galleries.

ARRIVE

Takamatsu Airport (TAK)

Use the airport bus to Takamatsu Station. Ferries depart from Takamatsu and Uno for the art islands.

MOVE

Rail + local connection

IC cards cover many urban trips; regional buses and rural lines may need cash or a separate ticket.

PACK

Travel one bag lighter

Use hotel-to-hotel luggage delivery when your route includes stairs, small trains or buses.

Find a longer itinerary ↗Set budget & booking order ↗Plan what to buy ↗Check travel basics ↗