Where should I stay and what should I choose first in Kagawa?
Stay in Takamatsu for garden walks and harbour views. The area near Takamatsu Station and the port suits train and ferry connections, while Kawaramachi has shopping streets and places to eat. Visit Kotohira to worship at the main shrine, or Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima for Monet’s paintings and Tadao Ando’s architecture. Allow separate days for Kotohira’s steps and the island journey by boat and bus.
Choose the kind of day you want first
Choose Ritsurin Garden for leisurely garden walks or Tamamo Park for castle remains near the station and port on arrival day. Kotohira-gu offers a shrine climb, while Yashimaru has hilltop sea and city views. For Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima, book entry first, then match boats and island buses.
Itineraries by trip length
Choose from eight itineraries based entirely in Takamatsu or including a night in Kotohira. Decide which days to set aside for gardens, shrine steps, summit views or an island museum. Adjust arrival- and departure-day sightseeing to your actual transport times.
2 days / 1 night
Spend one night in Takamatsu, with the castle site and port on one day and the garden on the other, or stay in Kotohira and climb to the main shrine the next day. The Kotohira itinerary returns to Takamatsu after the descent on the final day, so allow enough time before departure.
3 days / 2 nights
Spend two nights in Takamatsu and give the middle day to Kotohira’s steps or Yashima’s views. Take Kotoden both ways for Kotohira, or combine JR trains with a summit shuttle for Yashima. Check the return services for your chosen route.
4 days / 3 nights
Visit Kotohira and Yashima on separate days, or spend a day at Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima. Both itineraries stay three nights in Takamatsu. Choose your island date around museum reservations and return boat and bus connections.
5 days / 4 nights
After three Takamatsu nights and one Kotohira night, visit the main shrine on your final morning. The four-night Takamatsu itinerary gives gardens, Yashima and Naoshima separate days and excludes an island trip on departure day.
Where should I stay?
Near Takamatsu Station and Takamatsu Port
In Kagawa Prefecture · 香川県, the area around Takamatsu Station and the port is convenient for JR trains and boat connections. Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station is also nearby, but it is separate from JR Takamatsu Station. Check the walk from your hotel to the boarding point for your particular boat.
Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsCurrent admission and gate hours
Near Kawaramachi
Kawaramachi suits meals in the shopping streets and Kotoden journeys around the city or to Kotohira. For an island visit, travel to the port before boarding your boat.
Kotohira
Stay in Kotohira to rest after exploring the shrine approach without rushing back to the station. Compare a stay based entirely in Takamatsu with an itinerary including one night in Kotohira.
Station-to-approach and steps informationWalking-route precautionsKotohira Line timetable
Choosing trains, boats and passes
Who can use the All Shikoku Rail Pass and where?
For passes issued from 1 October 2026, adult prices are ¥12,000 for three days or ¥20,000 for seven; four- and five-day versions have ended. Check foreign-passport and Temporary Visitor conditions. Covered trains include JR Shikoku and Kotoden, but Takamatsu–Miyanoura boats, local buses, Yashima summit shuttles and museum admission are excluded.
All Shikoku Rail Pass revision for passes issued from 1 October 2026All Shikoku Rail Pass conditions effective 1 October 2026
Compare ordinary tickets first for these itineraries
Adding only adult fares on pass-covered trains gives ¥2,620 for the three-night Kotohira/Yashima itinerary and ¥500 for the three-night Naoshima itinerary. The four-night itinerary with one Kotohira night uses ¥2,620 in covered train fares, and the four-night Takamatsu/Naoshima itinerary ¥1,060. Ordinary tickets are cheaper for these journeys alone. The Kotohira overnight itinerary uses trains from days 2 to 5, so one three-day pass cannot cover them all. For other destinations, compare the actual sections and consecutive travel days again.
All Shikoku Rail Pass revision for passes issued from 1 October 2026All Shikoku Rail Pass conditions effective 1 October 2026Takamatsu-Chikko faresKotohira return faresJR fare table
Which days for gardens, shrine steps, summit views and the island?
Split these four experiences across days according to walking effort and return transport. The Kotohira overnight itinerary also separates changing hotels from climbing to the main shrine.
Tamamo Park and Takamatsu Port on arrival day
For sights near the station, explore Tamamo Park’s castle remains and moat, then walk around the port. If you arrive late, check the gate hours and move the park to another day if necessary. This harbour walk does not involve a boat crossing.
Current admission and gate hoursTakamatsu city visitor information
Ritsurin Garden walks among pines and ponds
Follow Ritsurin Garden’s paths for views of pines and ponds. Use the east gate from Kotoden Ritsurin-Koen or the north gate from JR Ritsurin-Koen-Kitaguchi. These are different stations; October closing is 17:30. On departure day, allow time to return to the station after visiting.
Kotohira shrine worship and shopping-street walks
Climb 785 steps to worship at Kotohira-gu’s main shrine. Take breaks in the shopping street on a day trip or stay locally and climb the next morning. The official roughly 1-hour reference is one way from the first step to the main shrine; descending and breaks take extra time. Choose according to your return train and final-day departure.
Shrine official hoursStation-to-approach and steps information
Yashima and Naoshima have different return connections
Yashima needs a shuttle down from the summit; Naoshima connects a shuttle, local bus and ferry after the museum. Yashimaru’s evening opening does not mean return buses run until the same time. To visit both, give them different days as in the four-night Takamatsu itinerary.
Yashimaru current operationCurrent shuttle fares and timetableTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsFree shuttleLocal bus
Station-to-approach and steps informationCurrent shuttle fares and timetableTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points
How do I reach attractions from stations and ports?
If starting at your hotel, change the map’s starting point to your booked address. Do not use map estimates alone to plan boat/bus connections or museum entry; compare your date’s official timetables and booked time.
Kotoden Ritsurin-Koen → garden east gate
Walk about 7 minutes from the station towards the east gate. This is the walk after leaving the train; tickets and garden visits take additional time. For the north gate, use JR Ritsurin-Koen-Kitaguchi as the starting point.
JR Ritsurin-Koen-Kitaguchi → garden north gate
Walk about 3 minutes from the JR station towards the north gate. This is not a 3-minute walk from Kotoden Ritsurin-Koen. Decide which gate to leave and which station to use after visiting too.
Takamatsu-Chikko → Kotohira → shrine approach
Take the Kotoden Kotohira Line to Kotohira, then walk about 10 minutes to the shrine approach. Add time to climb the steps to the main shrine. Choose your return train to Takamatsu-Chikko from the official timetable too.
Kotohira Line timetableStation-to-approach and steps informationWalking-route precautions
JR Yashima → Yashima Sanjo → Yashimaru
Connect at JR Yashima to the summit shuttle, costing ¥340 per adult each way or ¥680 return. The official roughly 10-minute walk starts at the summit visitor car park. After getting off at Yashima Sanjo, follow the official map towards Yashimaru at number 11. Check the main entrance in the leaflet and allow walking time. Choose your return bus separately from facility hours.
Current shuttle fares and timetableOfficial walk from the visitor car park to the facilityYashima official summit mapYashimaru shuttle access and main entrance layout
Takamatsu Port → Miyanoura → Tsutsuji-so → Chichu
Get off the Miyanoura ferry and take a local bus to Tsutsuji-so, then change to a free Chichu-bound shuttle. Return by shuttle, local bus and Takamatsu ferry. Ferry and high-speed offices differ, and ordinary boarding is first come, first served. G on the official access map marks Chichu Ticket Center and shuttle stop. Follow the path to the separately marked museum southwest of it, allowing extra time for walking to the entrance and the admission queue.
Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsLocal busFree shuttleFacility and reservationsOfficial Chichu Ticket Center and museum access map
Official access informationTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsCurrent shuttle fares and timetable
How much do my chosen attractions and transport cost?
These are ordinary adult prices for one person. Add only the items you choose, budgeting airport travel, accommodation, meals and additional visits separately. Each trip-length itinerary also lists inclusions and extra costs.
| Attraction or journey | Adult price | Additional conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Ritsurin Garden | ¥500 | Boats and teahouses inside the garden cost extra. |
| Tamamo Park | General admission ¥300 | Check official free-admission conditions. |
| Yashimaru and JR Yashima summit shuttle | General admission is free; the return shuttle costs ¥680 | Paid exhibitions and JR trains between Takamatsu and Yashima cost extra. |
| Takamatsu–Miyanoura ferry and island local bus | The return ferry costs ¥1,360; two bus rides cost ¥200 | This covers return ferry fares and two local bus rides. The high-speed boat costs ¥1,590 each way. |
| Book Chichu Art Museum online | ¥2,500 on weekdays; ¥2,700 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays | Book a date and entry time. If online tickets sell out, none are sold at the museum that day. Island transport costs extra. |
Fees and seasonal hoursCurrent admission and gate hoursCurrent shuttle fares and timetableTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsLocal busFacility and reservations
Sanuki udon: hot broth, a rich sauce or noodles straight from the pot?
For noodles in hot broth, try kake udon. Bukkake udon comes with a concentrated sauce that you pour over the noodles and mix in. Kamaage udon is served in its cooking water without being rinsed in cold water; dip the noodles a little at a time into the sauce. Consider it if you prefer a softer texture. Broth and toppings vary by restaurant.
On days spent walking in gardens or climbing steps, leave time for a meal before your train. On an island day, plan meals around your museum entry time and return boat. If you want to visit several udon restaurants, choose a day without an island trip. Check each restaurant’s menu, prices, opening hours and availability.
Udon and onward travel
When a route combines Kotoden or JR trains with buses or boats, check which sections your ticket covers. You can also view the original Sunport camera feed before a harbour walk.
Continuing to another city
For cities outside Kagawa, choose your route in the transport guide. Budget separately for travel to another prefecture.
All Shikoku Rail Pass: covered trains and separate transport costs
The pass covers Kotoden and eligible JR trains, but boats to Naoshima, local island buses and the Yashima shuttle cost extra. Ordinary tickets are cheaper for the Kagawa routes shown here. If you add JR journeys in other prefectures, compare the actual fares and consecutive days of use again.
All Shikoku Rail Pass revision for passes issued from 1 October 2026All Shikoku Rail Pass conditions effective 1 October 2026Takamatsu-Chikko faresKotohira return faresJR fare table
What the Sunport Takamatsu camera shows
The original Sunport Takamatsu feed shows harbour water, the wharf and part of the coastal promenade. This description is based on the CMS playback checked on 9 October 2026. It does not show park interiors, museums or island buses, and the image cannot establish whether boats are running, seats are available or a boarding queue is short. Check Shikoku Kisen’s service notices separately.
Sunport Takamatsu · サンポート高松
CMS Sunport camera official listCMS Sunport camera original viewTakamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding points
All Shikoku Rail Pass conditions effective 1 October 2026CMS Sunport camera official list
Frequently asked questions
Where is a convenient base for a Naoshima day?
Consider the Takamatsu Station and port area if you will use both boats and JR trains. From Kawaramachi, travel to the port before boarding. Even from a hotel near the port, the walks to ferry and high-speed boat ticket offices and boarding points differ. Check the route from your hotel’s address to the office for your boat.
Takamatsu–Miyanoura timetable, fares and boarding pointsTakamatsu-Chikko fares
Does the All Shikoku Rail Pass cover Naoshima boats and Yashima shuttles?
No. The pass covers eligible JR and Kotoden trains, but excludes Takamatsu–Miyanoura boats, Naoshima local buses, Yashima summit shuttles and museum admission. Check the foreign-passport and Temporary Visitor requirements, your actual train journeys and consecutive days of use before choosing a pass.
All Shikoku Rail Pass revision for passes issued from 1 October 2026All Shikoku Rail Pass conditions effective 1 October 2026
Official sources and check dates
- Fees and seasonal hours ·
- Official access information ·
- Current admission and gate hours ·
- Takamatsu city visitor information ·
- Shrine official hours ·
- Station-to-approach and steps information ·
- Walking-route precautions ·
- Official walk from the visitor car park to the facility ·
- Yashimaru current operation ·
- 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 ·
- Kotohira return fares ·
- JR fare table ·
- All Shikoku Rail Pass revision for passes issued from 1 October 2026 ·
- All Shikoku Rail Pass conditions effective 1 October 2026 ·
- JR Shikoku timetables by station and route ·
- CMS Sunport camera official list ·
- CMS Sunport camera original view ·
- Yashima official summit map ·
- Yashimaru shuttle access and main entrance layout ·
- Official Chichu Ticket Center and museum access map ·