Takamatsu & Shodoshima, Japan: Setouchi's Most Photogenic Coast

Unpenji Summit Park (雲辺寺山頂公園) — cloud sea above Shikoku's highest pilgrimage temple  |  Photo: Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association

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Takamatsu is the gateway to Kagawa — Japan's smallest prefecture, set on the eastern shore of the Seto Inland Sea. Now with Air Busan launching direct flights from Busan from 31 March 2026, Kagawa has never been more accessible. The region punches well above its size: a world-class traditional garden, the photogenic mirror-reflection beach of Chichigahama, and Shodoshima — an olive-covered island rising from the brilliant blue waters of the Setouchi — alongside the globally celebrated contemporary art hub of Naoshima. For the adventurous, the Unpenji ropeway on the Kagawa–Tokushima border lifts you above a sea of clouds to a mountain temple ringed by 500 stone Arhat figures — a hidden gem well off the tourist trail. One of Japan's most rewarding destinations for international visitors.

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Getting to Takamatsu

✈ By Air — Direct Flights

Takamatsu Airport (TAK) also has domestic connections to Tokyo Haneda/Narita, Nagoya, Sendai, Sapporo, and Naha for travellers arriving via other Japanese gateway cities.

→ All latest international flights to Japan (index of routes & airlines)

By Shinkansen + Train — from Osaka or Tokyo

For travellers flying into Osaka (Kansai) or Tokyo and continuing on to Takamatsu:

• From Osaka (Shin-Osaka): Shinkansen to Okayama (~35 min) → Marine Liner rapid train to Takamatsu (~1 hr) = approx. 1h 40 min total
• From Tokyo: Shinkansen to Okayama (~3h 20 min) → Marine Liner (~1 hr) = approx. 4h 30 min total

No advance reservation needed for the Marine Liner; IC cards (Suica, ICOCA etc.) are accepted.

By Highway Bus

Overnight and daytime highway buses run from Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto directly to Takamatsu Bus Terminal, next to Takamatsu Station — a budget-friendly option, especially from Osaka (approx. 4–5 hours, from ¥2,000+).

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Top Highlights — Foreign Visitor Favourites

1. Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園)

Widely regarded as one of Japan's three most beautiful strolling gardens, Ritsurin Garden spans 750,000 m² with six ponds, 13 scenic viewpoints, and a backdrop of Mount Shiun. A daimyo garden that took over a century to complete, it rewards slow exploration — watching koi circle under pine-draped bridges while wooden rowing boats glide across the mirror surface. Cherry blossoms (late March) and autumn foliage are peak seasons, but it is serene year-round. Open daily from dawn; entry approx. ¥430.

Photo: 写真AC

2. Shodoshima Olive Park — Kiki's Delivery Service (小豆島オリーブ公園)

Shodoshima is Japan's primary olive-growing island, and this hillside park with its iconic Greek-style windmill overlooking the sparkling blue Seto Inland Sea is internationally known as the filming location for the live-action adaptation of Kiki's Delivery Service. Visitors can borrow a broomstick prop for the classic broom-flight photo (free), stroll the fragrant herb gardens, and sample fresh olive oil at the gift shop. Perched above a small harbour with panoramic views of the Setouchi — one of the most photogenic and relaxed spots in Kagawa. Accessible by ferry from Takamatsu (approx. 35–60 min; see below).

Photo: 写真AC

3. Angel Road (エンジェルロード), Shodoshima

Twice daily, the tide retreats to reveal a narrow sand causeway connecting three small islets to the Shodoshima shoreline — this is Angel Road. Local legend holds that couples who cross it hand-in-hand while wishing upon a star will have their wish granted. The simple romance of the setting, framed by the turquoise waters of the Seto Inland Sea, has made it one of Kagawa's most-photographed spots. Check tide tables before visiting; the sandbar is only visible for 1–2 hours around low tide. Free; located on the south coast of Shodoshima.

Photo: Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association

4. Naoshima & the Setouchi Art Islands

Naoshima is Japan's most internationally celebrated art island — home to the Chichu Art Museum, an underground masterpiece by Tadao Ando housing Monet's Water Lilies, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria in spaces lit entirely by natural light. Elsewhere on Naoshima: Benesse House (a museum you can sleep in), the Lee Ufan Museum, and Yayoi Kusama's polka-dot pumpkin sculptures on the harbour. Neighbouring Teshima has the shell-shaped Teshima Art Museum, where spring water seeps up through the concrete floor. Both islands are ~1 hour by ferry from Takamatsu port.

Photo: 写真AC (Teshima Island)

5. Chichigahama Beach — "Japan's Uyuni" (父母ヶ浜)

At low tide, this shallow tidal flat fills with a thin sheet of seawater that creates a near-perfect mirror of the sky. The comparison to Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni went viral internationally and has transformed Chichigahama into a bucket-list sunset destination. The effect is best 1–2 hours before sunset on a calm, clear evening; the beach faces west toward the mountains of Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. Check the tide tables before visiting — you need a retreating tide at dusk. Free entry. ~50 minutes by car from Takamatsu (limited public transport).

Photo: PIXTA

6. Kotohirasan — Konpira-san, The 1,368-Step Pilgrimage (金刀比羅宮)

Known affectionately as Konpira-san, this ancient shrine dedicated to seafarers and safe travel crowns Mount Zōzu. The main shrine is reached via 785 stone steps; the inner shrine (Okusha) requires 1,368. The ascent passes souvenir stalls, stone lanterns draped in moss, and progressively widening views of the Sanuki Plain. Manageable for most visitors in 1–2 hours, with sweeping panoramas at the top. Located 40 minutes by train from Takamatsu (Kotoden Kotohira Line or JR).

Photo: Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association

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7. Kagawa Bonsai — Japan's Bonsai Capital (盆栽)

Takamatsu is the undisputed capital of Japanese bonsai — the prefecture produces more pine bonsai than anywhere else in Japan, and the craft has been cultivated here for over 500 years. What was once an art form known only to connoisseurs is now drawing collectors, buyers, and enthusiasts from Europe, North America, and across Asia to visit the growers directly.

Overseas visitors are drawn by the concept of bonsai as Living Art — a miniature landscape shaped over decades, expressing the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection and impermanence). Deadwood techniques (shari and jin), painstaking pruning, and the quiet dialogue between artist and tree resonate deeply with travellers seeking meaning beyond sightseeing.

Several nurseries in the Kinashi area (20 minutes west of Takamatsu Station) welcome international visitors, including English-speaking tours and hands-on wiring workshops. The Kagawa Prefectural Bonsai Festival in autumn is a highlight of the bonsai calendar. If you are serious about bonsai — or simply curious — a morning in Kinashi is unlike anything else in Japan.

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8. Shikoku Pilgrimage — Spiritual Gateway to the 88 Temples (四国遍路)

The Shikoku Pilgrimage (Shikoku Henro) is a 1,200-year-old circuit of 88 Buddhist temples across four prefectures, traditionally completed on foot in roughly 30–60 days. Today it is recognised as one of the world's great spiritual journeys — and one of Japan's best-kept slow-travel secrets. In 2026, the Washington Post named Shikoku among its top crowd-free travel destinations, reflecting surging international interest. Foreign visitor nights in Shikoku grew by 400% year-on-year in 2025.

Takamatsu as your base: You do not need to walk the full 1,400 km to experience the pilgrimage. Takamatsu sits near the final chapter of the circuit and is an ideal base for day-trip pilgrimages to two of the most atmospheric temples:

• Temple 84 — Yashimaji (屋島寺): Set on the flat-topped mesa of Yashima, with sweeping views over the Seto Inland Sea. A short drive or bus ride from central Takamatsu — combine with the Yashima historical battlefield and Shikoku Mura open-air museum.
• Temple 85 — Yakuriji (八栗寺): Reached by a charming vintage cable car through cedar forest. The approach is photogenic in every season, and the ridge-top temple offers views across the sea to Naoshima. The famous udon restaurant Yamadaya is at the foot of the cable car — pilgrimage and Sanuki udon make a natural pairing.

Central to the pilgrimage experience is o-settai — the tradition of local people offering food, drink, or small gifts to passing pilgrims out of pure generosity, expecting nothing in return. For travellers drawn to slow travel, human connection, and sustainable tourism, this centuries-old practice is the heart of what makes the Shikoku Henro extraordinary.

"Find your Zen: why the Shikoku Henro is the world's next big slow-travel trend."

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Ferry Routes: Takamatsu to the Islands

Takamatsu Port is the main gateway to the Seto Inland Sea islands. You can book English-language ferry tickets in advance on DirectFerry:

Naoshima ferry: Regular services depart from Takamatsu Port to Miyanoura port (Naoshima), approx. 1 hour, operated by Shodo Steamship. Tickets at the port or convenience stores in Japan.

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Tours & Experiences

Kagawa packs an extraordinary range of experiences into a compact area. On a guided day tour from Takamatsu, you can walk the ponds of Ritsurin Garden, cross to Naoshima for the Chichu Art Museum and Kusama pumpkins, explore Shodoshima by bicycle among the olive groves, or join a full Setouchi island-hopping circuit. Guided tours provide English commentary and handle ferry logistics — ideal for making the most of limited time.

Guided tours of Takamatsu, Naoshima, and the Setouchi islands — book in advance:

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Where to Stay

Destination Hotels on the Islands

For the full Setouchi experience, consider staying on the islands themselves — there are exceptional properties on both Naoshima and Shodoshima:

Hotels in Takamatsu City

Takamatsu city has a wide range of accommodation from business hotels near the station to traditional ryokan. Staying in the city makes island day trips straightforward via the port.

Search Takamatsu Hotels on Agoda →

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