Three days: Kotohira or Yashima?
Choose Kotohira for day-two main-shrine worship and approach shops, or Yashimāru for high views over the sea and city. Kotohira uses return Kotoden trains; Yashimāru uses a summit shuttle from JR Yashima. Stay two nights in Takamatsu, with garden and castle visits on the surrounding days.
Choose an itinerary for 3 days / 2 nights
Garden walks and a Kotohira day trip
Stay two nights in Takamatsu for garden walks and main-shrine worship, making a Kotohira round trip on the middle day.
Garden walks and a Kotohira day trip →3 days / 2 nightsYashima views and Takamatsu
Stay two nights in Takamatsu and spend the middle day on Yashima for mountain-top views alongside gardens and castle grounds.
Yashima views and Takamatsu →Garden walks and a Kotohira day trip
Stay two nights in Takamatsu for garden walks and main-shrine worship, making a Kotohira round trip on the middle day.
Day one: Tamamo Park and Takamatsu Port
Visit the park and harbour according to your Takamatsu arrival time. If you cannot reach the gate during opening hours, move the park visit to another day.
- Takamatsu accommodation or JR Takamatsu Station → Tamamo Park entrance
Go to Tamamo Park, about three minutes' walk from JR Takamatsu Station. A late arrival outside gate hours leaves no time for today's park visit.
Current admission and gate hoursTakamatsu City visitor guidance
- Tamamo Park → Takamatsu Port and accommodation
Explore the castle site and moat, then walk around the harbour. Eat near the station and continue to your booked accommodation.
Current admission and gate hoursTakamatsu City visitor guidance
Park gates close at different times. Check the hours for your chosen entrance.
Day two: Kotohiragu main shrine
Visit Kotohiragu's main shrine and approach shops, then return to Takamatsu. Allow time for climbing, descending, meals and rests.
- Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station → Kotoden Kotohira Station
Take a Kotohira-bound train from Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko and get off at the terminus, Kotoden Kotohira Station. It differs from JR Kotohira Station. Choose outward and return services from Kotoden's official timetable.
Kotohira Line timetableCurrent timetable listStation-to-approach and stair guidance
- Kotoden Kotohira Station → Shrine approach entrance
Walk about ten minutes from Kotoden Kotohira Station to Omotesando. Climbing the main-shrine steps is extra.
Kotohira Line timetableStation-to-approach and stair guidance
- First step of the shrine approach → Kotohiragu main shrine and shops
Official guidance gives about an hour one way to climb 785 steps from the first step to the main shrine; allow separate time for descent and rests. Afterwards, eat and rest in the shopping street before returning to the station.
Station-to-approach and stair guidanceWalking-route precautionsOfficial shrine hours
- Kotoden Kotohira Station → Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station
Return on a Takamatsu-Chikko-bound train from Kotoden Kotohira Station. Eat in Takamatsu and rest at the same accommodation.
Allow time to climb, descend and rest at the main-shrine steps.
Day three: Ritsurin Garden
After yesterday's Kotohira trip, walk Ritsurin Garden on the final day and return to Takamatsu-Chikko Station.
- Takamatsu accommodation → Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station
Go to Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station, which is separate from JR Takamatsu Station. From Kawaramachi accommodation, use nearby Kotoden Kawaramachi Station and check that section's fare.
- Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station → Kotoden Ritsurinkoen Station
Take a train towards Kotohira and get off at Ritsurinkoen Station. Adult fares are JPY 250 one way; the subtotal includes JPY 500 return from Takamatsu-Chikko. Choose services for your date from the official timetable.
Kotohira Line timetableCurrent timetable listTakamatsu-Chikko fares
- Kotoden Ritsurinkoen Station → Ritsurin Garden east gate and gardens
The official seven-minute walk runs from Kotoden Ritsurinkoen Station to the park. Go to the east gate, buy admission and explore. This differs from JR Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station's north-gate approach. Adult admission is JPY 500; October hours are 06:00–17:30. Ticketing, viewing and rests are extra to the seven-minute walk. For other months or storm warnings, check operating notices again.
- Ritsurin Garden and east gate → Kotoden Ritsurinkoen Station
Leave through the east gate and retrace your walk to Kotoden Ritsurinkoen Station. Allow time within the garden to reach the gate, then about seven minutes to the station.
- Kotoden Ritsurinkoen Station → Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station
Take a Takamatsu-Chikko-bound train from Kotoden Ritsurinkoen Station. After arrival, continue towards your next destination.
- Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station → Your booked departure boarding point
Allow extra travel time if collecting luggage at accommodation. For the airport, go to JR Takamatsu Station and take the Takamatsu Airport limousine from bus stand 3. The adult JPY 1,300 fare is excluded from the subtotal. Choose operating dates and scheduled arrival from the official airport timetable to meet flight check-in deadlines. JR trains to other cities depart from JR Takamatsu Station; Kotoden departs from Takamatsu-Chikko.
Airport limousine use and monthly changesAirport limousine fares and city boarding points
Ritsurin Garden's opening and closing times vary monthly. Distinguish the stations serving the east and north gates.
Included items: Ritsurin Garden JPY 500; Tamamo Park JPY 300; return Kotoden Ritsurinkoen JPY 500 and Kotohira JPY 1,560, both from Takamatsu-Chikko.
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, airport travel, separate travel between accommodation and stations or boarding points and extra journeys cost more. Garden boats, teahouses, shrine annex admission and prayer services are excluded.
The subtotal is per adult, with Kotoden fares calculated from Takamatsu-Chikko. For another starting station, check the relevant section's fare.
Fees and seasonal hoursCurrent admission and gate hoursTakamatsu-Chikko faresKotohira return fares
Yashima views and Takamatsu
Stay two nights in Takamatsu and spend the middle day on Yashima for mountain-top views alongside gardens and castle grounds.
Day one: Ritsurin Garden
Check whether arrival leaves enough viewing time before closing. For a late arrival, move the garden to another day and adjust that day's travel.
- Your booked Takamatsu accommodation → Takamatsu-Chikko and Ritsurinkoen stations
Take a train towards Kotohira from Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko and get off at Ritsurinkoen. Walk towards the east gate. For a late arrival with too little garden time, swap the visiting order with another day.
- Ritsurinkoen Station → Ritsurin Garden east gate
Walk about seven minutes to the east gate and explore the garden. Ticketing, viewing and rests are extra. Compare arrival with that month's closing time before deciding whether there is enough time.
Fees and seasonal hoursOfficial access informationKotohira Line timetable
- Ritsurin Garden and Ritsurinkoen Station → Takamatsu accommodation
Return from the same station towards Takamatsu-Chikko. You can get off at Kawaramachi for a meal, but recheck the relevant fare. Afterwards, return to your Takamatsu accommodation.
Ritsurin Garden's opening and closing times vary monthly. Distinguish the stations serving the east and north gates.
Day two: Yashimāru
Go from your Takamatsu accommodation to JR Takamatsu Station.
- Takamatsu accommodation or JR Takamatsu Station → Shuttle stop outside JR Yashima Station
Take a regular Kotoku Line train towards Hiketa from JR Takamatsu and get off at Yashima. Leave the ticket gates for the Yashima summit shuttle stop outside. Compare your date's JR and shuttle timetables and choose a connection with enough transfer time.
- Outside JR Yashima Station → Yashima Sanjo stop and Yashimāru
Take the summit shuttle to its terminus, Yashima Sanjo. On the official summit map, identify the tourist car park, Yashimaji Temple and number 11 Yashimāru, then follow the walking path to its main entrance. The facility leaflet marks this entrance separately. The official ten-minute walk starts at the tourist car park; allow separate time after alighting to find and follow the route. Explore the views, then eat and rest on the summit. Paid exhibitions and meals are excluded from the subtotal.
Current shuttle fares and timetableOfficial walk from tourist car park to facilityCurrent Yashimāru opening informationOfficial Yashima summit mapYashimāru shuttle access and main-entrance plan
- Yashimāru → Yashima Sanjo stop and JR Yashima Station
Return to the summit stop and take a shuttle to JR Yashima. Late facility opening does not mean the last shuttle leaves at the same time; choose your return bus first.
- JR Yashima Station → JR Takamatsu Station and the same accommodation
Return on a regular Takamatsu-bound train from JR Yashima, then eat and rest at the same accommodation. Return fares of JPY 560 for regular trains and JPY 680 for the shuttle from JR Yashima total JPY 1,240 for today's transport. Limited express services need a supplement.
Yashimāru closes Tuesdays, or the next weekday if a public holiday. Evening facility opening and evening shuttles are separate; check the facility calendar and bus notices together.
Day three: Tamamo Park
After Yashima's views, finish with Tamamo Park. Continue to Takamatsu Station or the harbour afterwards.
- Takamatsu accommodation → Tamamo Park west gate
From your accommodation address, go to the west gate near JR Takamatsu and Takamatsu-Chikko stations. The official three-minute walk starts at JR station, not accommodation. City guidance places the west gate by these stations and the east gate by the car park and prefectural museum.
Takamatsu City visitor guidanceCurrent admission and gate hours
- Tamamo Park west gate → Park visit and west gate
Pay adult admission of JPY 300 and explore the castle site and moat. October west-gate hours are 06:00–17:30; east-gate hours are 08:30–17:00. Hours vary in other months, and the park closes 29–31 December. Use the west gate you entered to find your way back to accommodation. For a morning departure, do not try to fit both sightseeing and lunch.
Takamatsu City visitor guidanceCurrent admission and gate hours
- Your booked Takamatsu accommodation after sightseeing → Your booked departure boarding point
For the airport, take the Takamatsu Airport limousine from JR Takamatsu Station bus stand 3. Adult fares of JPY 1,300 are excluded. Choose operating dates and scheduled arrival from the official airport timetable to meet flight check-in deadlines. JR trains to other cities leave from JR Takamatsu Station; Kotoden leaves from Takamatsu-Chikko.
Airport limousine use and monthly changesAirport limousine fares and city boarding points
Check each gate's closing time. For an early departure, move the park to an earlier day and go to the station.
Included items: Ritsurin Garden JPY 500; Tamamo Park JPY 300; return Kotoden Ritsurinkoen JPY 500; return JR Takamatsu–Yashima JPY 560 and Yashima Station–summit shuttle JPY 680.
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, airport travel, separate travel between accommodation and stations or boarding points and extra journeys cost more. Garden boats, teahouses, Yashimāru paid exhibitions and parking are excluded.
The subtotal is per adult, with Kotoden calculated from Takamatsu-Chikko; check the relevant fare from another starting station. Admission and transport cost JPY 1,000 for the garden and return Kotoden journey on day one, JPY 1,240 for return JR and shuttle journeys to Yashima on day two, and JPY 300 for Tamamo Park on the final day, totalling JPY 2,540.
Fees and seasonal hoursCurrent admission and gate hoursTakamatsu-Chikko faresJR fare tableCurrent shuttle fares and timetable
Frequently asked questions
Does late Yashimāru opening mean late buses?
Evening facility opening and shuttles are separate. This course descends in the afternoon; for an evening stay, check a suitable return service for your date independently.
Current Yashimāru opening informationCurrent shuttle fares and timetable
Official sources and check dates
- Fees and seasonal hours ·
- Official access information ·
- Current admission and gate hours ·
- Takamatsu City visitor guidance ·
- Official shrine hours ·
- Station-to-approach and stair guidance ·
- Walking-route precautions ·
- Official walk from tourist car park to facility ·
- Current Yashimāru opening information ·
- Current shuttle fares and timetable ·
- Current timetable list ·
- Kotohira Line timetable ·
- Takamatsu-Chikko fares ·
- Kotohira return fares ·
- JR fare table ·
- Airport limousine fares and city boarding points ·
- Airport limousine use and monthly changes ·
- JR Shikoku station/line timetables ·
- Official Yashima summit map ·
- Yashimāru shuttle access and main-entrance plan ·