Where should you stay in Kagawa, and what should you choose first?

Near Takamatsu Station and port

In Kagawa · 香川県, the area near Takamatsu Station and port suits JR-to-ferry connections. Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station is also here but is separate from JR Takamatsu Station. Harbour accommodation is not equally close to every boarding point.

Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points2026-10-08Current admission and gate hours2026-10-09

Near Kawaramachi

Kawaramachi suits meals in the shopping streets and Kotoden trips around the city and towards Kotohira. On ferry days, travel to the harbour first.

Kotohira Line timetable2026-10-08Takamatsu-Chikko fares2026-10-08

Kotohira

Stay in Kotohira to rest locally after walking the shrine approach rather than rush back to the station. Compare keeping all accommodation in Takamatsu with a separate one-night Kotohira stay.

Station-to-approach and stair guidance2026-10-08Walking-route precautions2026-10-08Kotohira Line timetable2026-10-08

Arrival day: Tamamo Park and Takamatsu Port

Start near the station with Tamamo's castle site and moat, then walk the harbour. For a late arrival, check gate hours and move the park to another day if needed. A harbour walk differs from a sailing day.

Current admission and gate hours2026-10-09Takamatsu City visitor guidance2026-10-08

Ritsurin Garden walks among pines and ponds

Walk paths through Ritsurin's pines and ponds. Use the east gate from Kotoden Ritsurinkoen or the north gate from JR Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi; these are different stations. October closing is 17:30. On departure day, allow time after viewing to return to the station.

Official access information2026-10-08Fees and seasonal hours2026-10-09

Kotohira worship and approach-shop walks

Kotohiragu's main shrine needs a 785-step climb. Rest at approach shops on a day trip, or stay locally and climb next morning. The official hour is one way from the first step to the main shrine; descent and rests are extra. Choose around return trains and final-day departure.

Official shrine hours2026-10-08Station-to-approach and stair guidance2026-10-08

Yashima and Naoshima have different return connections

Yashima needs a downward shuttle; Naoshima needs a post-museum shuttle, town bus and ferry. Late Yashimāru opening does not mean buses run equally late. For both places, choose separate days as in the four-night Takamatsu course.

Current Yashimāru opening information2026-10-09Current shuttle fares and timetable2026-10-09Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points2026-10-08Free shuttle2026-10-09Town bus2026-10-09

Kotoden Ritsurinkoen → garden east gate

Walk about seven minutes towards the east gate after leaving the train. Ticketing and garden viewing are extra. For the north gate, start from JR Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi.

Official access information2026-10-08

JR Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi → garden north gate

Walk about three minutes from the JR station towards the north gate, not from Kotoden Ritsurinkoen. Choose your exit gate and return station beforehand.

Official access information2026-10-08

Takamatsu-Chikko → Kotohira → shrine approach

Take Kotoden's Kotohira Line to Kotohira, then walk about ten minutes to the approach. This is not the station-to-main-shrine time; add the climb. Choose a return Takamatsu-Chikko train from the official timetable.

Kotohira Line timetable2026-10-08Station-to-approach and stair guidance2026-10-08Walking-route precautions2026-10-08

JR Yashima → Yashima Sanjo → Yashimāru

Connect to the summit shuttle from JR Yashima. The adult fare is JPY 340 one way or JPY 680 return. The official ten-minute walk starts at the summit tourist car park. After alighting at Yashima Sanjo, walk towards number 11 Yashimāru on the official summit map. Check the leaflet's main entrance and allow walking time. Choose downward buses separately from facility hours.

Current shuttle fares and timetable2026-10-09Official walk from tourist car park to facility2026-10-08Official Yashima summit map2026-10-09Yashimāru shuttle access and main-entrance plan2026-10-09

Takamatsu Port → Miyanoura → Tsutsujiso → Chichu

After the Miyanoura ferry, take the town bus to Tsutsujiso, then the free Chichu shuttle. Return by shuttle, town bus and Takamatsu ferry. Ferries and high-speed boats have different ticket offices; regular boarding is first come, first served. G marks Chichu Ticket Center and shuttle stop on the official access map. Follow the path towards the separately marked museum southwest, allowing the entrance walk and queue extra.

Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points2026-10-08Town bus2026-10-09Free shuttle2026-10-09Facility and booking2026-10-09Official Chichu Ticket Center and museum access map2026-10-09

Travelling to another city

Choose routes in the transport guide for extra cities outside Kagawa. Budget separately for travel to other prefectures.

JR Shikoku station/line timetables2026-10-09

All Shikoku pass: eligible trains and extra transport

Eligible Kotoden/JR trains are included, but Naoshima boats, island town buses and Yashima shuttles are extra. Ordinary tickets cost less for these Kagawa courses alone. For extra inter-prefectural JR travel, compare actual sections and consecutive validity days again.

All Shikoku Rail Pass revision for passes issued from 1 October 20262026-10-09All Shikoku Rail Pass terms effective 1 October 20262026-10-09Takamatsu-Chikko fares2026-10-08Kotohira return fares2026-10-08JR fare table2026-10-08

What the Takamatsu Sunport camera shows

Original Takamatsu Sunport footage shows harbour water, piers and part of the waterfront promenade, based on CMS playback on 9 October 2026. It does not show park interiors, museums or island buses; footage alone cannot establish sailings, spare seats or boarding queues. Check Shikoku Kisen operational notices separately.

Sunport Takamatsu · サンポート高松

Official CMS Sunport camera list2026-10-09Original CMS Sunport camera footage2026-10-09Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points2026-10-08