Takamatsu One Day Itinerary: Ritsurin Garden, Yashima, and More
Takamatsu (高松市) isn’t a place that comes up often when people plan their first trip to Japan. But that's precisely why I'd like to introduce you to this lesser-known destination. As a gateway to Shikoku, Takamatsu offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere, stunning gardens and some of Japan’s best udon. Located in Kagawa Prefecture, this compact port city is known for its iconic Ritsurin Garden, flavorful Sanuki udon, and beautiful views over the Seto Inland Sea. Whether you're planning to explore Shikoku or looking for a quieter stop between Osaka and Hiroshima, Takamatsu is well worth a visit.
In this Takamatsu travel guide, I’ll share how I spent one full day exploring Takamatsu, with a detailed itinerary and travel tips to help you make the most of your time in this peaceful and beautiful coastal city.
How to Get to Takamatsu
Takamatsu is well connected to major cities by train, express bus, ferry, and domestic flights.
From Tokyo to Takamatsu
By train: take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Okayama Station (~3.5 hours) and transfer to the JR Marine Liner to Takamatsu Station (~1 hour). This route is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By plane: Flights from Haneda Airport to Takamatsu Airport take about 1 hour 20 minutes. Note that it takes about 45 minutes to get to the city center from Takamatsu Airport by airport limousine bus.
From Osaka/Kyoto to Takamatsu
By train: From Kyoto Station or Shin-Osaka Station, take the Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station, and transfer to the JR Marine Liner to Takamatsu Station. This option takes 2-3 hours and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and regional passes like the Sanyo-San'in Area Pass or the Setouchi Pass.
By highway bus: Direct highway buses run from Osaka Station or Namba to Takamatsu in 3.5 to 4 hours. It’s a great option if you're on a budget or prefer not to transfer.
From Hiroshima to Takamatsu
By train: Take the Sanyo Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Okayama (~40–50 minutes) and transfer to the JR Marine Liner to Takamatsu (~1 hour). This option is also covered by the Japan Rail Pass, Sanyo-San'in Area Pass, or Setouchi Pass.
✨ TRAVELY TIP: Another great way to get to Takamatsu is to take the ferry from Uno Port, near Okayama, and to make a stop on the way to Naoshima, a fantastic contemporary art island located in the Seto Inland Sea. Find out more in my article: Naoshima Travel Guide: Complete One-Day Itinerary for Art and Nature Lovers.
One-Day Itinerary to Explore Takamatsu
Start Your Day at Ritsurin Garden
Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園) is one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve visited in Japan, and an absolute must if you’re in Takamatsu. Created in the Edo period, this garden is particularly famous for its pine trees (over 1,400 of them), tranquil ponds and traditional teahouses.
I spent around two hours strolling the grounds, doing a free stamp rally (you can ask for it at the entrance), and taking tons of photos. You can explore on foot or join a guided ride on a traditional Japanese boat called wasen, operated by local guides (find out more about boat tour reservations at Ritsurin Koen). I’d also recommend to stop at Kikugetsutei Teahouse (掬月亭) for a matcha break while looking out over Nanko (南湖), the south pond. Taking a long stroll in this mesmerizing and peaceful garden was definitely one of the highlights of my stay in Takamatsu!
The garden is open every day (opening hours vary by season) and the entrance fee is ¥410 per adult (¥500 from June 2025). I’d also recommend to stop at the large souvenir shop near the entrance, full of local souvenirs. And keep an eye out for Yadon ((Slowpoke), the pink Pokémon mascot of Kagawa Prefecture!
Travel to the Foot of Mount Yashima
Next, walk to Ritsurin-koen Kitaguchi Station (栗林公園北口駅) near the garden’s north exit. The entrance is charmingly tucked beside a small shrine, called Nakanoinari Shrine (中野稲荷神社), adding to the quaint feel of the area.
You can then take the Kotoku line to Yashima station (屋島駅). The journey costs ¥280 and takes around 10 minutes. Then, the walk to the foot of Mount Yashima takes around 15 minutes.
Have Lunch at Waraya and Try Sanuki Udon
A great place to stop for lunch is Waraya (ざいごうどん 本家わら家), a long standing thatched-roof sanuki udon shop. I had zaru udon with tempura and loved the smooth, chewy texture. I remember seeing the staff make the udon in the kitchen in large steaming pots.
I preferred the udon cold, but Waraya's speciality is “kamaage udon” (thick, chewy udon served in a bowl with a little hot cooking water), which can be served in a single portion or in a large wooden tub meant for sharing.
✨TRAVELY TIP: If you like shrines, you can visit Yashima Shrine (屋島神社), a small hilltop shrine nearby with beautiful views of Takamatsu.
Visit Shikoku Mura Village
Right next door to Waraya is Shikoku Mura (四国村ミウゼアム), an underrated but amazing open-air museum featuring 33 restored buildings from across Shikoku. Visiting this museum gives you the chance to get a glimpse into rural life in Shikoku from the Edo period to the Taisho era. I found the museum very informative and loved the serenity of the place: you wander the peaceful grounds and explore old farmhouses, warehouses and even a kabuki stage, in a beautiful natural setting with no crowds. Two of my favourite moments were crossing the rope bridge and visiting the Shikoku Mura gallery, designed by Tadao Ando.
The museum is open from 9.30am to 5pm and entrance costs ¥1,600 (well worth it). You can allow one to two hours if you walk at a relaxed pace and stop to take photos.
Head to the Top of Mt Yashima and Visit Yashima Temple, Part of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage
After visiting Shikoku Mura, you can walk to the nearby bus stop and take the Yashima-Sanjo Shuttle Bus to the mountaintop (about 10 minutes and costs ¥200). As soon as you arrive, I’d recommend to check the bus times in advance for your return trip (as there are not many)!
Founded in the 8th century, Yashima Temple (屋島寺) is the 84th temple of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage (also called Shikoku Henro). It has a peaceful atmosphere and is known for its many tanuki statues, linked to the deity Minoyama Daimyojin, who brings good luck, especially to couples and entertainers.
This temple was special for me personally as it was where I collected my first goshuin (temple seal) from the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. I’ve since visited 15 temples, and I hope to visit them all someday.
Admire Stunning Views of the Seto Inland Sea
After visiting Yashima temple, you can walk a bit further to reach Yashima Mountaintop Communal Facility, a building with a beautiful curved glass architecture, and Shishi-no-Reigan (獅子の霊巌), an observation deck offering stunning panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. If the weather is clear, you’ll see small islands dotting the water and ferries coming into the harbor below. Enjoying the golden hour and the sunset was a wonderful way to relax while waiting for the next bus to leave.
Head Back to Central Takamatsu And Spend Time in the Takamatsu Shotengai Area
Once the bus as taken you back down Mt Yashima, you can head back to central Takamatsu, taking a local train from Kotoden Yashima station to Kawaramachi Station. If you’d like to do some more exploring, I’d recommend a wander through Central Takamatsu Shopping Arcades, around Marugamemachi, which are almost entirely covered and, at 2.7km in total length, form the longest shopping arcade in Japan.
It's a great place to buy souvenirs, for example at the local Ghibli shop (called Donguri Kyowakoku), and to find a local restaurant or izakaya for dinner. That's what I did, before heading back to my hotel to relax after a wonderful day exploring Takamatsu.
Other Things to See and Do in Takamatsu
If you’re staying longer or want to explore more, you can consider:
Tamamo Park and Takamatsu Castle Ruins (史跡高松城跡玉藻公園), located near JR Takamatsu station. You can see ruins of one of Japan’s few seaside castles, originally built in 1590. Entrance costs ¥200.
Sunport Takamatsu Park (サンポート高松公園), a nice area for sunset views and seaside walks. Couples like to take an evening stroll to Takamatsu red lighthouse called ‘Setoshirube’ (せとしるべ).
Takamatsu Art Museum (高松市美術館), which offers permanent and special contemporary art exhibitions. Entrance costs ¥200.
Where to Stay in Takamatsu
I stayed at Dormy Inn Takamatsu and highly recommend it. It’s one of my favorite hotel chains in Japan, with an amazing value for the money. The room was smaller than other Dormy Inn hotels I've stayed in, but it was comfortable, and what I like most about this chain are the public hot springs, as well as the free night ramen and ice cream and other complimentary amenities. It’s also conveniently located near the shopping arcade and within a 20-minute walk from Ritsurin Garden and JR Takamatsu Station.
Alternatively, here are some additional ideas if you are looking for the best stay in Takamatsu. If you’re looking for a hotel right by Takamatsu JR station and ferry terminal, view excellent sea views, I’d go for either JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or JR Clement Inn Takamatsu. The former has a more luxurious vibe, while the later has public baths. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, I’d go for Ten to Sen Guesthouse, a well-reviewed guesthouse known for its minimalist design and friendly staff.
➡️ For more accommodation options in Takamatsu, you can check Agoda and Booking to find the best deals and locations that suit your travel plans.
Essential Travel Tips to Enjoy your Time in Takamatsu
Best Time to Visit Takamatsu
Takamatsu is a year-round destination, with each season having its own charm. The Ritsurin Garden should be particularly beautiful in autumn with colourful foliage, or in spring for the plum and cherry blossoms. If you're planning to visit in summer, you might be interested in the Sanuki Takamatsu Festival, one of Shikoku's four major festivals, which takes place this year from 12 to Thursday 14 August 2025, with dance performances and fireworks on the programme.
How to Get Around Takamatsu
Takamatsu is compact and walkable, but local trains and buses make getting to places like Yashima easy. I used Google Maps to plan routes and check bus times.
If you're planning to explore more of Kagawa or Shikoku, I'd highly recommend hiring a car, as you'll have much more freedom to explore the rural areas and many of Shikoku’s nature gems,as well as some of the temples of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage that can be hard or impossible to reach by public transportation. Alternatively, the JR All Shikoku Rail Pass can also be a great way to explore Shikoku's main cities and attractions, as it gives you unlimited travel on JR trains and some of the island's buses and ferries.
What and Where to Eat in Takamatsu
You can't visit Kagawa Prefecture without trying Sanuki's Udon. Udon from Kagawa Prefecture are some of the best I've had in Japan! They are perfectly soft and tender. As well as Waraya, I've also eaten udon in small local eateries, Shinpei Udon (しんぺいうどん) and Sakaeda Udon (さか枝うどん 南新町店) in the shotengai street and enjoyed my meal at both places.
✨TRAVELY TIP: Know that some udon restaurants follow a self-service style. In that case, you can just grab a tray, order udon and pick yourself your toppings, and pay before eating.
I haven’t tried it myself but another food specialty to try in Kagawa is olive-fed wagyu beef. You can find here a list of restaurants (website in Japanese) serving this specialty in Takamatsu. More generally, Kagawa is Japan's leading olive producer (mainly produced in Shodoshima), so you can sample food specialties using olive oil.
In addition, don’t leave Takamatsu without tasting wasanbon sweets, traditional sugar-based sweets that have a light and delicate taste. I bought a pack of wasanbon at Ritsurin Koen and loved them!
Additional Experience Ideas in Takamatsu
Looking for experience ideas in Takamatsu? You could take part in a private walking tour with a local guide on GetYourGuide or Viator to dive deeper into Takamatsu’s history and culture. If you’d like to make wasanbon sweets yourself, you might be interesting in a wasanbon craft experience at a local shop such as Mamehana (豆花). For unique and high-end experiences related to bonsai and traditional crafts, you might also be interested in checking Wabunka’s cultural experiences in Takamatsu. Their experiences feature a visit to the bonsai orchards and gardens of Nakanishi Chinshoen, a local producer with over 130 years of history, and a handicraft experience (carved lacquer or pottery, depending on the experience) in the on-site gallery space ‘Takumikumo Village’.
Other Things to Do in Kagawa Prefecture
If you'd like to explore Kagawa Prefecture further, here are some ideas for day trips from Takamatsu or as the next stop on your Shikoku/Japan itinerary:
Naoshima, an art island famous for the Yayoi Kusama pumpkins and Benesse Art Site. Ferries run regularly from Takamatsu Port.
Takaya Shrine (高屋神社) – Known as the “torii in the sky,” this hidden gem offers one of the most breathtaking views in Shikoku.
➡️ Read my Takaya Shrine Hiking guideKotohira-gu Shrine (Konpira-san), a beautiful mountaintop shrine with over 1,300 stone steps. Located in the town of Kotohira, it’s about 1 hour by train from Takamatsu.
➡️ Read more of my detailed itineraries and travel guides in Shikoku.
To Conclude
I hope you enjoyed my Takamatsu travel guide and one-day itinerary! I found Takamatsu full of charm and had a wonderful time exploring Takamatsu in a day. Whether you're coming for the gardens, the ocean views, or the delicous udon, it's an easy and rewarding stop if you're already exploring Shikoku or nearby islands or cities.
Found this article helpful? Buy me a coffee. 😊
Want to stay in touch? Subscribe to my monthly newsletter (with latest articles, updates, travel tips and more...) delivered straight to your inbox. 📩
Some of the links in this Takamatsu City Itinerary are affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission when you click on them and make a purchase. And if you do, thanks for your support! Purchasing through these links is a great way to support Travely Notes, as this helps with the costs of running my blog.
