The name “Kagawa” confuses a lot of people. When you say it, some traveler think you’re talking about Kanagawa, the prefecture just southwest of Tokyo that’s home to Yokohama. Others mistake it for Kanazawa, a city that admittedly is among my favorites in all of Japan.
Ka-gawa (whose Japanese name—香川—literally means “fragrant river”) instead occupies the northeastern quarter of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. It centers around its capital Takamatsu, though that is definitely not the only Kagawa destination worth visiting.
This Kagawa travel guide, to be sure, will focus not just on urban experiences, but on ones far out in nature. By the time you finish reading it, you’ll be ready to explore just about everywhere, from sea to mountain and back!
Where to Base Yourself in Kagawa
As you might imagine, the majority of Kagawa hotels are in Takamatsu City, though there are some elsewhere. The most sensible options are ones right near Takamatsu Station, such as Hotel LiVEMAX Takamatsu Ekimae and the higher-end JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu. Slightly outside the city center, meanwhile, you’ll find Hanajukai, which is more convenient to reach if you plan to have your own car.
Want to stay outside of Takamatsu City? In most cases, this will mean staying in another city or quasi-urban area, such as Hotel Route Inn Marugame or Onyado Shikishima-kan in Konpira Onsen near Kotohira-gu. However, there are also several accommodation options of Naoshima island—and not just the fancy (and almost impossible to book) Benesse House
What to Do in Kagawa City
Explore Takamatsu City
Takamatsu is probably the least-loved of Shikoku’s major cities (with the possible exception of Tokushima), but is definitely worth at least a few hours of your time. The most obvious reason to come here, of course, is superlative Ritsurin Garden, though I also find the Takamatsu Castle Ruins to be less ruined (and, thus, more interesting) than their name suggests them to be.
Say a prayer at Kotohira Shrine
Another essential addition to your Kagawa itinerary is Kotohira Shrine. Located on top of a mountain and a short hike through the hot springs village of Konpira Onsen, Kotohira-gu is nothing short of enchanting, whether in terms of its architecture, or the landscape it passes through. I try to stop here every few years, though I sadly don’t get here every single time I visit Takamatsu.
Make sure not to miss Marugame
Like all other prefectures in Shikoku, Kagawa is home to one of the only 12 remaining “original” castles in Japan. This is in the form of Marugame Castle—which, as its name suggests, is in Marugame City. While in Marugame, I highly suggest sitting down for a bowl of udon. The stuff you find here is some of the most delicious in all of Kagawa, and all of Japan!
Experience Setouchi at Mt. Shiude or on Naoshima
Not surprisingly, exploring the adjacent Seto Inland Sea is one of my favorite things to do in Kagawa, though how I experience Setouchi varies. If I’m here during sakura season, I may make the effort to ascend Mt. Shiude, which offers views of the islands framed by cherry blossoms. The “art island” of Naoshima, meanwhile, provides a more evergreen escape from the citi(es).
Watch sunset at Chichibugahama
Last but not least on my list is Chichibugahama, a beach that might seem ordinary or even forgettable—at least by day. As the sun begins to set, however, it takes on a veritable rainbow of colors, which reflects in the mirror of water that perpetually floods the beach. Though not extremely famous, this place has a reputation among a certain set of travelers as one of the best sunset spots in all of Japan.
How to Get to and Around Kagawa
Of all the cities in Shikoku, Takamatsu is probably the easiest to reach by train. Specifically, you simply need to ride a Shinkansen to Okayama, and then ride one of the frequent Marine Liner Rapid Service trains from there to Takamatsu, which takes just over an hour. You can feasibly travel door-to-door from Tokyo in as little as four hours, depending upon where in each city you decide to stay.
On the other hand, depending upon how many days in Kagawa you spend and where you plan to go, renting a car might be a better option. Having your own set of wheels isn’t necessary if you plan to visit places close to a train station. However, whether for ascending Mt. Shiude or for getting to (and from) Chichibugahama for a well-timed sunset, driving offers very welcome flexibility.
Other FAQ About Visiting Kagawa Prefecture
What is Kagawa, Japan known for?
Kagawa, Japan is known for its famous udon noodles, for Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu City and for Marugame Castle. Increasingly, it’s also well-known for being home to Naoshima Island, a destination that increases in popularity with every year that goes by.
How do I get to Kagawa, Japan?
You can get to Kagawa, Japan one of two ways. If you don’t simply fly from Tokyo to Takamatsu, you can ride the Shinkansen to Okayama, and then a Rapid Marine Liner train from there. It isn’t necessarily quick to get to Kagawa prefecture, but it is pretty simple.
What food is Kagawa known for?
Kagawa is known for its udon, and particularly the noodles from the city of Sanuki. But you can find delicious udon all around Kagawa-ken, at any time of the day and anytime of year, served dry or with soup, and cold or hot. If you’re an udon lover, this is the part of Japan for you!
The Bottom Line
The bad news? If you’re planning to visit Kanagawa or Kanazawa, you’re in the wrong place! The good news?My Kagawa travel guide has you sorted if you’re bound for northeastern Shikoku, be that Takamatsu City, Marugame Castle, Chichibugahama beach, the Naoshima “art island” or anywhere else in the prefecture. Kagawa-ken might not be a mainstream destination, but let the oversight of the masses benefit you. Whether you want to tour gardens, eat udon or enjoy seasonal views of the Seto Inland Sea, Kagawa embodies why going off the beaten path is often the most direct route to discovery. Make your trip even more perfect when you hire me to plan it.
