Takamatsu, Core city in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku Island, sitting directly on the Seto Inland Sea. Streets run from the harbor through residential neighborhoods to hills in the south, while the waterfront shows small islands and ferry docks.
A warlord named Ikoma Chikamasa built a castle on this coast in 1588, giving the settlement its first military purpose. The Matsudaira family later took control and expanded trade routes across the inland sea, turning the place into a hub for travelers and goods.
The name Takamatsu translates directly as tall pine, and the city carries this symbol throughout its public spaces and parks. Visitors today see shops and restaurants selling local wood and paper crafts, while residents regularly make pilgrimages to nearby temples on the Yashima Plateau.
Walking from the station, you reach the harbor and gardens on foot in less than half an hour. Bicycles are available for rent at many spots and work well for the flat coastal roads.
The bay in front of the city served for centuries as a natural shelter for ships waiting for favorable winds before sailing into the open sea. Some fishermen still use the same anchorages between the small islands today.
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