Takamatsu, Core city in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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Takamatsu Castle
876 m
Ritsurin Garden
1.5 km
Yashima
5.5 km
Chichu Art Museum
13.2 kmTakamatsu Central Arcade
324 m
Kagawa Prefectural Government Office
415 m
New Yashima Aquarium
5.2 km
Kotoden Kawaramachi Building
693 mSogo Castle
10.6 km
Shiromine-ji
11.1 km
Takamatsu Symbol Tower
1.1 km
Benesse House Museum
12.5 km
Benesse Art Site Naoshima
12.5 km
Benesse House
12.5 km
Yashima-ji
5.3 km
Ōshima Seishōen Sanatorium
9.3 km
Shido-ji
12.4 km
Yashima Castle
5.5 km
Yakuri-ji
8.7 km
Negoro-ji
7.9 km
Lee Ufan Museum
12.9 km
Takamatsu Sunport National Government Building
1.1 km
Sanuki Kokubun-ji
10.4 km
Hōnen-ji
7.7 km
Kagawa Citizens' Hall
1.1 km
Nagao-ji
14.3 km
Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum
7.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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