Takamatsu Travel Guide

The second largest city in Shikoku, Takamatsu is usually the first port of call for visitors arriving by train. Mostly destroyed by aerial bombing towards the end of World War II, it is now a modern and quite cosmopolitan city. Even before the Seto-ohashi Bridge was built, many ships trafficked through its harbour. The city's most famous site is Ritsurin-koen, the largest garden in Japan. Dating from the 17th century, it is celebrated for its usage of "borrowed scenery" and vistas in miniature. Although not one of the official "big three" gardens, it easily ranks among the country's finest.

The old feudal castle, Takamatsu-jo, was once one of Japan's few seaside fortresses, but it was mostly obliterated by wartime bombing. What little remains can be found in the small, but picturesque Tamamo-koen, east of the main train station.  Beside Tamamo-koen is the Kagawa History Museum, which documents the history of Kagawa Prefecture.

Takamatsu, like the rest of the prefecture, is renowned for its sanuki udon (thick flour noodles), which is on offer at many local eateries.