Kagawa Prefecture Travel Guide: Sanuki Udon, Naoshima Art Island and Ritsurin Garden

Discover Kagawa, Japan: Sanuki udon, Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu, Naoshima and the Setouchi art islands, Shodoshima, Kotohira-gu Konpira shrine and how to get there from Okayama or Osaka.

Published October 18, 2026 at 12:51 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Kagawa Prefecture is in northeastern Shikoku, with Takamatsu as its capital. It is the smallest prefecture in Japan and is known for Sanuki udon, Ritsurin Garden, the art island of Naoshima, Shodoshima and Kotohira-gu shrine. Takamatsu is about an hour from Okayama by Marine Liner train or about an hour and twenty minutes from Tokyo by air.

Kagawa at a Glance

Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan by area, but it offers a surprising amount to see. The land is gentle and sunny, with low conical hills and orchards, rice fields and reservoirs, and the coast looks out over the Seto Inland Sea, which is dotted with islands. Takamatsu, the capital, is a port city with a castle, a famous garden and a lively shopping arcade.

Kagawa is best known for udon, the thick wheat noodles that people here eat with devotion. It has also become a center of contemporary art, thanks to the Setouchi art islands. Add Konpira shrine with its long stone stairs, olive groves on Shodoshima and the long Seto Ohashi bridge, and the prefecture makes a compact and rewarding trip.

History and Culture of Kagawa

Kagawa was once the Sanuki province, and its relaxed, practical culture has been shaped by the sea and by low rainfall. Farmers dug large irrigation ponds, and wheat became a staple that gave rise to the udon tradition. The monk Kukai, known as Kobo Daishi, was born in Zentsuji, and the area is full of temples connected with the Shikoku pilgrimage.

Kagawa has also been a place of trade and pilgrimage. Kotohira-gu, also called Konpira-san, has been a destination for sailors and travelers for centuries, and it contains the Kanamaru-za, one of the oldest kabuki theaters in Japan. In recent decades, the arrival of museums and installations on Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima has made the prefecture an international art destination.

Getting to Kagawa and Moving Around

Takamatsu Airport has direct flights from Tokyo Haneda in about an hour and twenty minutes. By rail, take the Shinkansen to Okayama and then the Marine Liner, which crosses the Seto Ohashi Bridge, to Takamatsu in about an hour. Highway buses also run from Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, and ferries link Takamatsu with Shodoshima and the art islands.

In Takamatsu, the Kotoden train line and local buses connect the city with Ritsurin Garden, Yashima and Kotohira. To reach Naoshima, take a ferry from Takamatsu in about 50 minutes or from Uno Port in Okayama in about 20 minutes. A rental car is useful for udon shops in rural areas, though trains reach many of the best-known places.

Top Sights in Kagawa

Ritsurin Garden is among Japan's most celebrated gardens, with ponds, tea houses and pine trees arranged against a mountain backdrop. Takamatsu Castle stands by the sea with a moat that uses seawater and holds sea bream. Yashima plateau offers views over the Seto Inland Sea and a historic battlefield.

Kotohira-gu is reached by 785 stone steps to the main shrine, with shops and teahouses along the way. Naoshima, with its Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House and the yellow pumpkin sculpture, is one of the world's famous art islands, and the Teshima and Inujima guide covers the nearby islands. Shodoshima has olive groves, a soy sauce district and the Kankakei gorge, as explained in the Shodoshima guide.

What to Eat and Drink in Kagawa

Sanuki udon is the main event. The noodles are firm and chewy, served hot or cold with a light dashi broth and simple toppings. Many shops are self-service, where you pick up a bowl, add tempura or a raw egg and pay at the end. Takamatsu and Marugame are known for udon, and locals often eat it for breakfast.

Beyond udon, Kagawa has olive-fed fish and beef, Hamachi yellowtail from the sea, and Kagawa's hone-tsuki-dori, a roast chicken with the bone. Wasanbon, a fine-grained traditional sugar, is used in delicate sweets, and Shodoshima is famous for soy sauce, sesame oil and somen noodles. Anko-zoni, a New Year soup with sweet bean paste rice cakes, is a distinctive local dish.

Festivals and Traditions in Kagawa

The Takamatsu Festival in August features dancers, parades and fireworks over the harbor. The Setouchi Triennale, an international art festival held every three years across the islands, brings visitors from around the world, and many installations remain open between events.

Kotohira-gu holds its main festival in October with a long procession, and in spring the Kompira Kabuki at Kanamaru-za is a rare chance to watch a performance in a historic theater. Local harvest festivals take place in autumn, and the Shodoshima Olive Festival celebrates the fruit in the island's groves.

Best Time to Visit Kagawa

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for Ritsurin Garden, with cherry blossoms in early April and leaves in November. The climate is mild and dry, which makes it ideal for walking and cycling around the islands. Autumn also brings clear sea views from Yashima.

Summer is hot and sunny, with beaches and festivals, and it is ideal for island hopping if you pack sunscreen. Winter is calm and mild, and udon tastes especially good in the cold. If you want to see Naoshima's art without crowds, visit on a weekday outside of holiday periods and book museum tickets early.

A Sample Itinerary for Kagawa

With two days, take the train to Takamatsu and visit Ritsurin Garden and the castle, then enjoy a udon crawl in the afternoon. On day two, take the morning ferry to Naoshima and see the Chichu Art Museum and the pumpkin sculpture before returning in the evening.

With four days, add a day for Kotohira-gu and Marugame, and a day for Shodoshima and its olive groves. You can also include Teshima and Inujima for more art, or cross the sea to Okayama and Kurashiki. Kagawa pairs naturally with Tokushima for Awa Odori and Iya, and with Ehime for the Shimanami Kaido.

For a slower pace, stay two nights on Naoshima in a small inn and rent a bicycle to see the installations at leisure. Spend the evening watching the sunset over the sea and finish with a bowl of udon back in Takamatsu. The mix of art and food is easy and relaxing.

Souvenirs and Local Crafts from Kagawa

Sanuki udon sets, Shodoshima olive oil and soy sauce, wasanbon sweets and Kagawa olive hamachi products are popular edible gifts. Local crafts include Marugame uchiwa fans, which are the most famous in Japan, Kagawa lacquerware, and Sanuki kagari temari, decorative thread balls. Naoshima art merchandise, including pumpkin goods, is a favorite among younger visitors.

Practical Tips for Visiting Kagawa

Udon shops are often open only in the morning and early afternoon, and some close when the noodles run out, so go early. Many are cash only. At Kotohira-gu, wear comfortable shoes and allow about an hour for the climb to the main shrine.

Ferry schedules to the islands change by season, so check times in advance and reserve museum tickets for Naoshima's Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House. Some art museums close on Mondays. On Naoshima, a bicycle or the local bus is an easy way to get around, but the hills can be steep.

Nearby Prefectures to Combine with Kagawa

Kagawa borders Tokushima to the southeast and Ehime to the southwest, and it is linked to Okayama across the Seto Inland Sea by the Seto Ohashi Bridge and ferries. It is also a short sea trip from Hyogo's Awaji Island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kagawa known for?

Kagawa is known for Sanuki udon, Ritsurin Garden, the art island of Naoshima, Shodoshima's olive groves, Kotohira-gu shrine and being the smallest prefecture in Japan.

What is the best time to visit Kagawa?

Spring and autumn for Ritsurin Garden and island walks, and any time of year for udon. Plan ahead for the Setouchi Triennale art festival, held every three years.

How do I get to Naoshima?

Take a ferry from Takamatsu Port in about 50 minutes, or from Uno Port in Okayama in about 20 minutes. Uno is reached by train from Okayama.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Japan's 47 Prefectures: A Region-by-Region Travel Guide, Okayama Prefecture Travel Guide: Korakuen, Kurashiki and Bizen Pottery and Shodoshima: The Olive Island of the Seto Inland Sea.