Kagawa Prefecture

Kagawa is a prefecture in northeastern Shikoku that stretches from the Seto Inland Sea in the north to the Sanuki Mountains in the south. The administration includes eight cities and several islands in the strait, including Shodoshima and smaller inhabited islets.

The former Sanuki Province became a modern prefecture in 1871, retaining most of its old feudal boundaries. After a temporary union with Ehime, the national government restored separate administration in 1888.

Local specialization in Sanuki udon noodles appears in small restaurants and noodle workshops scattered across the region. Visitors can try hand-pulled noodles in simple eateries where cooks often work directly in front of guests.

Takamatsu Airport and the Great Seto Bridge offer direct connections to the mainland and other parts of Japan. Within the prefecture, regional trains and buses link the cities, while ferries serve the islands in the strait.

Shodoshima hosts olive groves that have been continuously cultivated since their introduction in the Meiji era. The island remains the only significant olive-growing area in the country, with many farms offering tastings and tours.

Location: Japan

Inception: December 26, 1871

Capital city: Takamatsu

Reference: 370002

Shares border with: Tokushima Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, Okayama Prefecture

Website: https://pref.kagawa.lg.jp

GPS coordinates: 34.34000,134.04306

Latest update: December 15, 2025 04:17