Where should you stay in Kagawa, and what should you choose first?
Stay in Takamatsu for garden walks and harbour views. The area near Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port is convenient for combining trains and ferries; Kawaramachi suits evenings of dining and shopping. Choose Kotohira to visit the main shrine, or Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima for Monet’s paintings and Tadao Ando’s architecture. Keep Kotohira’s stair climb and an island trip by boat and bus on separate days.
Choose the kind of day you want first
Choose Ritsurin Garden for a leisurely garden walk, or Tamamo Park for a castle site near the station and harbour on arrival day. Kotohiragu offers a stair climb to worship, while Yashimāru overlooks the sea and city from the hilltop. To visit Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima, reserve an entry time before coordinating boats and island buses.
Itineraries by trip length
The eight routes differ according to whether you stay in Takamatsu throughout or spend a night in Kotohira. Choose where to spend a day among gardens, shrine steps, hilltop views and an island museum, then reduce arrival- and departure-day sightseeing to fit your actual transport.
2 days, 1 night
Stay one night in Takamatsu to give the castle site–harbour and garden separate days, or sleep in Kotohira and climb to the main shrine the following day. The Kotohira route returns to Takamatsu after the final day’s descent, so leave enough time before your departure.
3 days, 2 nights
Stay two nights in Takamatsu and use the middle day for Kotohira’s shrine steps or Yashima’s views. Kotohira uses return Kotoden trains; Yashima combines JR with a summit shuttle. Check the different return connections.
4 days, 3 nights
Visit Kotohira and Yashima on separate days, or give one day to Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima. Both routes spend three nights in Takamatsu. Choose the island date around your reservation time and return boat and bus connections.
5 days, 4 nights
After three nights in Takamatsu, a night in Kotohira lets you visit the main shrine on the final morning. The four-night Takamatsu route gives the garden, Yashima and Naoshima separate days, keeping the island visit off departure day.
Where should you stay?
Around Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port
The area around Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture · 香川県 is convenient for JR and ferry connections. Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station is nearby but separate from JR Takamatsu Station. Staying near the harbour does not mean every ferry boarding point is equally close.
Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsCurrent admission and entrance hours
Around Kawaramachi
Kawaramachi suits meals in the shopping streets and Kotoden journeys around the city or towards Kotohira. On ferry days, you must travel to the harbour first.
Kotohira
Choose Kotohira if you want to stay locally after exploring the shrine approach instead of rushing back to the station. Compare itineraries based entirely in Takamatsu with those including one night in Kotohira.
Station-to-approach directions and stepsWalking-route precautionsKotohira Line timetable
Choosing trains, ferries and passes
Who can use the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass, and where?
For passes issued from October 1, 2026, adult three-day passes cost JPY 12,000 and seven-day passes JPY 20,000; four- and five-day passes have been discontinued. Check the foreign-passport and Temporary Visitor conditions. Eligible trains include JR Shikoku and Kotoden services, but Takamatsu–Miyanoura boats, local buses, the Yashima summit shuttle and museum admission are excluded.
ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass changes for passes issued from October 1, 2026ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass conditions effective October 1, 2026
Compare ordinary tickets first for these itineraries
Adding only adult fares for pass-eligible trains in these routes gives JPY 2,620 for the three-night Kotohira–Yashima itinerary and JPY 500 for the three-night Naoshima itinerary. The four-night route with a Kotohira overnight stay uses JPY 2,620, and the four-night Takamatsu-based Naoshima route uses JPY 1,060. Ordinary tickets are cheaper for these journeys alone. The Kotohira overnight route uses trains on days two through five, so one three-day pass cannot cover them all. If you add destinations, compare your actual sections and consecutive travel days again.
ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass changes for passes issued from October 1, 2026ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass conditions effective October 1, 2026Takamatsu-Chikko faresReturn fares from KotohiraJR fare table
Which days should you use for the garden, shrine steps, summit and island?
These suggestions divide the days according to walking demands and return transport rather than linking all four places in one day. The Kotohira overnight route also separates the accommodation move and main-shrine climb.
Arrival day: Tamamo Park and Takamatsu Port
For sights near the station, explore Tamamo Park’s castle site and moat, then walk around the harbour. If you arrive late, check whether the entrance is open and move the park visit to another day if needed. A harbour walk is separate from a boat trip.
Current admission and entrance hoursTakamatsu City visitor guide
Ritsurin Garden: walking among pines and ponds
Follow Ritsurin Garden’s paths for scenery of pines and ponds. Use the east gate from Kotoden Ritsurin-Koen Station or the north gate from JR Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station. These are different stations; October closing time is 17:30. On departure day, leave time to return to the station after visiting.
Kotohira: main-shrine worship and shopping-street walks
Visiting Kotohiragu’s main shrine requires climbing 785 steps. Take a day trip with breaks in the shopping streets, or stay in Kotohira and climb the following morning. The official one-hour estimate is uphill from the first step to the main shrine; descent and breaks take extra time. Choose around your return train and final-day departure.
Shrine’s official hoursStation-to-approach directions and steps
Yashima and Naoshima have different return journeys
Yashima requires a shuttle down from the summit; Naoshima requires a shuttle, local bus and ferry after the museum. Yashimāru’s evening opening does not mean return buses run until the same time. To visit both, give them separate days as in the four-night Takamatsu route.
Yashimāru current opening informationCurrent shuttle fares and timetableTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsFree shuttleLocal bus
Station-to-approach directions and stepsCurrent shuttle fares and timetableTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points
How do you reach attractions from stations and the harbour?
If you start at your accommodation, set the map’s starting point to your booked address. Do not arrange boat and bus connections or museum entry solely from estimated map times; use your date’s official timetables and reserved entry time together.
Kotoden Ritsurin-Koen Station → garden east gate
Walk about seven minutes from the station towards the east gate. This is walking time after leaving the train; ticketing and sightseeing take extra time. For the north gate, set JR Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station as your starting point.
JR Ritsurinkoen-Kitaguchi Station → garden north gate
Walk about three minutes from the JR station towards the north gate. This is not a three-minute walk from Kotoden Ritsurin-Koen Station. Decide in advance which gate you will leave through and which station you will use afterwards.
Takamatsu-Chikko Station → Kotohira Station → shrine approach
Take the Kotoden Kotohira Line to Kotohira Station, then walk about ten minutes to the shrine approach. The main shrine is not ten minutes from the station; add time for the stair climb. Choose your return Takamatsu-Chikko-bound train in the official timetable.
Kotohira Line timetableStation-to-approach directions and stepsWalking-route precautions
JR Yashima Station → Yashima Sanjo → Yashimāru
Connect with the summit shuttle at JR Yashima Station. Adult fares are JPY 340 one way or JPY 680 return. The official ten-minute walk starts at the summit tourist car park. After getting off at the Yashima Sanjo terminus, follow the official summit map towards Yashimāru at number 11. Check the main entrance in the facility leaflet and allow walking time. Choose the downhill bus separately from the facility’s opening hours.
Current shuttle fares and timetableOfficial walking directions from the tourist car parkOfficial Yashima summit guide mapYashimāru shuttle access and main entrance site plan
Takamatsu Port → Miyanoura → Tsutsujiso → Chichu
After the Miyanoura ferry, take a local bus to Tsutsujiso and transfer to the free shuttle towards Chichu. Return by shuttle, local bus and Takamatsu-bound ferry. Ferries and high-speed boats have different ticket counters, and ordinary boarding is first come, first served. G marks Chichu Ticket Center and its shuttle stop on the official access map. Follow the path towards the separately marked museum to the southwest, allowing time to walk to the entrance and queue.
Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsLocal busFree shuttleFacility and reservationsOfficial Chichu ticket centre and museum access map
Official access guideTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsCurrent shuttle fares and timetable
How much do your chosen attractions and transport cost?
Standard fares for one adult. Add only the items you choose, budgeting separately for airport travel, accommodation, meals and additional visits. The itinerary cost guides also distinguish included items from extra costs.
| Attraction or journey | Adult fare | Additional conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Ritsurin Garden | JPY 500 | Garden boat rides and teahouses cost extra. |
| Tamamo Park | General admission JPY 300 | Check official conditions for free admission. |
| Yashimāru and summit shuttle from JR Yashima Station | General entry free / return shuttle JPY 680 | Paid exhibits and trains between Takamatsu and JR Yashima Station cost extra. |
| Takamatsu–Miyanoura ferry and island local bus | Ferry JPY 1,360 / two bus rides JPY 200 | This amount includes return ferry travel and two local bus rides. High-speed boats have a different one-way fare of JPY 1,590. |
| Chichu Art Museum online reservation | Weekdays JPY 2,500 / Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays JPY 2,700 | Reserve a specific date and time; no on-site tickets are sold if online tickets sell out. Island transport costs extra. |
Fees and seasonal opening hoursCurrent admission and entrance hoursCurrent shuttle fares and timetableTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsLocal busFacility and reservations
Sanuki udon: which broth and noodle style would you like?
For warm broth with your noodles, consider kake udon; for a concentrated sauce poured over and mixed into the noodles, try bukkake udon. Kama-age udon is served with its cooking water, without rinsing the noodles in cold water, and eaten by dipping small portions into sauce. Consider it if you prefer a softer texture. Broth flavours and toppings vary by shop.
On garden or shrine-step days, leave time for a meal before your train. On island days, plan meals around your museum reservation and return boat. Choose a day without an island trip if you want to visit several udon shops. Check menus, prices, opening hours and availability with the restaurants.
Udon and onward travel
For routes connecting Kotoden or JR with buses or boats, identify which sections your ticket covers first. Before a harbour walk, you can consult the Sunport source screen.
Travelling to other cities
Choose your route in the transport guide if you want to add cities outside Kagawa. Budget separately for travel to other prefectures.
Separate covered trains from other transport with the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass
Eligible Kotoden and JR trains are covered, but Naoshima boats, island local buses and the Yashima shuttle cost extra. Ordinary tickets are cheaper for the Kagawa routes shown here alone. If you add JR travel in other prefectures, compare actual sections and consecutive travel days again.
ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass changes for passes issued from October 1, 2026ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass conditions effective October 1, 2026Takamatsu-Chikko faresReturn fares from KotohiraJR fare table
What can you see on the Takamatsu Sunport camera?
The Takamatsu Sunport source screen shows harbour water, piers and part of the coastal promenade, based on CMS playback viewed October 9, 2026. It does not show park interiors, museums or island buses, and the video cannot establish boat operations, available seats or boarding queues. Check Shikoku Kisen’s notices separately for actual service.
Sunport Takamatsu · サンポート高松
CMS Sunport camera official listCMS Sunport camera source screenTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points
ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass conditions effective October 1, 2026CMS Sunport camera official list
Frequently asked questions
Which base is convenient for a Naoshima day trip?
Compare the area near Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port if you plan to combine ferries and JR. Staying in Kawaramachi requires travelling to the harbour before boarding. Even harbour accommodation may be different distances from ferry and high-speed boat counters and boarding points. Check the route from your booked address to the counter for your boat.
Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsTakamatsu-Chikko fares
Does the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass cover Naoshima boats and Yashima shuttles too?
No. Distinguish eligible JR and Kotoden trains from Takamatsu–Miyanoura boats, Naoshima local buses and the Yashima summit shuttle. These boats, buses and museum admission are excluded. If you are considering a pass, check foreign-passport and Temporary Visitor eligibility alongside your actual train sections and consecutive travel days.
ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass changes for passes issued from October 1, 2026ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass conditions effective October 1, 2026
Official sources and check dates
- Fees and seasonal opening hours ·
- Official access guide ·
- Current admission and entrance hours ·
- Takamatsu City visitor guide ·
- Shrine’s official hours ·
- Station-to-approach directions and steps ·
- Walking-route precautions ·
- Official walking directions from the tourist car park ·
- Yashimāru current opening information ·
- Current shuttle fares and timetable ·
- Facility and reservations ·
- Local bus ·
- Free shuttle ·
- Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points ·
- Kotohira Line timetable ·
- Takamatsu-Chikko fares ·
- Return fares from Kotohira ·
- JR fare table ·
- ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass changes for passes issued from October 1, 2026 ·
- ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass conditions effective October 1, 2026 ·
- JR Shikoku station and line timetables ·
- CMS Sunport camera official list ·
- CMS Sunport camera source screen ·
- Official Yashima summit guide map ·
- Yashimāru shuttle access and main entrance site plan ·
- Official Chichu ticket centre and museum access map ·