Top Things to do in Takamatsu
The 10 Best Things to Do in Takamatsu, Japan
Discover the best top things to do in Takamatsu, Japan including Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad, Shikoku Mura Village, Yashima, Yashima-ji Temple, Tamamo Park, Sanuki Kid's Kingdom, Ogijima Island, Kikugetu-tei, Takamatsu Marugamemachi Shopping Street.
Restaurants in Takamatsu
1. Ritsurin Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Ritsurin Garden is a superb cultural asset that conveys the characteristics of the daimyo strolling Gardens that were typically seen in the 17th and 18th century. A daimyo strolling garden is a type of traditional Japanese garden in which ponds and hills are expertly constructed over a vast tract of land, and you can enjoy the garden's space as you leisurely walk around inside.
Reviewed By Chris T - San Jose, California
What I liked about this garden is how they incorporated the mountain into the setting. I've been disappointed with other beautiful Gardens that are surrounded buy high rises so you lose some of the tranquil feeling. Because Muroyama was incorporated into the garden design, all of your views including the reflections in the water could have been seen hundreds of years ago.
2. Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Summer S - London, United Kingdom
Compared to those high speed trains in China, Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad is quite historic. It is a little bit cheaper than JR lines and slow. I quite liked that when I got to Kotohira station, was confused figuring out how to get a ticket, and the staff members asked the driver wait for me about 1 minute so I could catch the train. It makes some personal connections with passengers that you can't image it happen on modern trains.
3. Shikoku Mura Village
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Barbara W - Utah
This is not an expansive open air museum, but it is in a beautiful setting and has excellent information in Japanese and English posted by each structure. The buildings were moved from Shinkoku Island and are from the Edo and Meiji period and include farmhouses, workshops, and even Lighthouses. A vine suspension bridge will entice the daring. The art museum is quite small but has some very interesting pieces in its collection including some small primitive bronzes figures, ancient glassware from Syria and Iran, and an original Rodin bronze. If you are in the area and have any interest in this type of museum, I would definitely recommend it.
4. Yashima
Overall Ratings
4 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By Koray D - Montreal, Canada
I'm a complete mountain junkie and was really excited to climb Mount Yashima, but there were a few hiccups on the way. There are a few ways up by walking - if you head north from JR Yashima, after about fifteen or twenty minutes you'll turn left onto a main road which leads to different paths. If you then turn right early on, you'll find Yashima Jinja (屋島神社) shrine, which gives a solid view of the city. If you keep going a bit instead and then turn right, you'll find a deserted and mad creepy coin locker station (with a convenient map at least) made even more creepy by the completely abandoned cable car station. I have seen some creepy things before but honestly I'm pretty sure the cable car is haunted - they didn't even clean out the maps from the floor of the rusting car or the terrifying drawings of stick people (horsemen of the apocalypse?) that were authored probably by a young kid. If you like creepy abandoned things, definitely make the detour for this. If not, skip it and keep going down the main road where you turned right to get here. Either way, recommended to carry a holy book and travel with an exorcist or something.
Afterwards, a bit down the road, there's a sign that has a marker for Yashima mountaintop (it says 1000 m) and diverts you into a forest. The signs continue for a bit, and then take you out into a really cool graveyard overlooking the entire city. Definitely recommend walking around - it's really nice and well kept. If you continue on the path, you'll be diverted to your left. The prefectural government put up a sign saying that they're doing repairs on the traditional pilgrim path, so the renovated path is kind of to the side. You'll eventually reach what looks like a fenced in dead end, but you are supposed to untie the wire that locks the fence and walk through, then tie the fence back afterwards. From here, please be careful. The trail gets steep and pretty dangerous fast. Follow the pink markers in the trees or the red asphalt sticking out of the ground with "山“ (mountain) on it. Because it's easy to go off trail, make sure to be diligent with the markers - the off trail parts are definitely not climber friendly and you can get lost pretty fast. If you follow the markers though you should be fine and it should take about half an hour from the cemetery - bring water!
You'll eventually make it to the top. I went past 5 pm when everything was closed and quiet, but there are usually a lot of shops and an aquarium, even, so although the road up might be rough the actual summit is very people friendly. (For the most part - you're advised to be careful of wild boars but that's about it) The view is completely insane - both of the city and the sea, and is definitely worth the trouble. I was rushed, but if you get a chance, the south end is great for seeing both the city and the Seto Sea, but the north end is supposed to be awesome for the Islands in the ocean. It's a solid 2.5k walk though from the south end where you end up, so keep that in mind. The temple is also pretty nice, and part of the 88 temple Shikoku pilgrimage, so you can strike that off your list I guess.
Alternatively, you could walk down (or up!!) the paved road right in front of the temple. This is a much easier and more comfortable way to make it there. Normally I'm more of a fan of taking the scenic road but the climb was pretty brutal and I got roughed up a bit by the unsafe and steep route - to really enjoy the summit, I don't think there's any shame in taking the beaten path. To find it, on your way up, ask for the nearby elementary school (shōgakkō, 小学校) and just keep following that road, which leads into the mountain. It's a pretty far walk from JR, but the local koto den line stops nearby. Again, definitely recommend this route unless you're doing the pilgrimage and want the full experience.
All things considered, totally worth it. Maybe a hassle to find and get up to, but beautiful at sunset and honestly breathtaking. Totally recommend if it you get the chance.
5. Yashima-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By MiguelKSerrano
It is one of the 88-pilgrimage-temples, compared with others it's not especially big or charming but it's located on the top of yashima mountain so you can enjoy an amazing view. You can reach the top of the mountain, and the temple, by bus from the train stop yashmak kotodera or walking. If you have enough strength I recommend you the hiking to the top, it's really charming, you feel like a real henro reaching a temple but the path is could be really tough.
6. Tamamo Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By Craig C - Toronto, Canada
We had some time to kill while waiting for our flight, so took a stroll through this peaceful, extensive garden/park. There was a Chrysanthemum festival on at the time and the displays were incredible. The entire park had only a few visitors walking through it and it was an oasis of calm in the midst of a busy regional city.
7. Sanuki Kid's Kingdom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By HouTexasMom - Corpus Christi, Texas
As an American tourist my 7 year old son was delighted to have someplace where he wasn't relegated to the ho hum of a museums, temples, etc. this place was what he needed, to get out, stretch his legs riding the various bicycles, trikes, etc. It was wonderful to play in the park all the while watching airplanes fly by. A definite must!
8. Ogijima Island
Overall Ratings
4 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By TheDoor_isopen - Tuggeranong, Australia
We visited in September and although I had high hopes and intended having lunch there, nothing was open. The whole place seemed terribly run down except for the Rock Wall village where work was being done. The paths are steep, there is no public transport and apart from the vending machines, nowhere to buy refreshments except a counter at the ferry port with an unreadable menu. Not recommend from September until April.
9. Kikugetu-tei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By travelm858 - Bunbury
do spend an hour here having the tea ceremony, the setting on the lake is just gorgeous as is the tea room itself. was fairly quiet the day we went which made the setting even more rewarding
10. Takamatsu Marugamemachi Shopping Street
Overall Ratings
4 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Lara N - Takamatsu, Japan
With hundreds of restaurants and stores ranging from small, family-owned places to major chains, this shopping arcade is great for finding whatever items you are looking for. There are foreign-food stores and restaurants for those who are missing "a taste of home" while in Japan. Because this arcade is so large, it is ideal for browsing and window shopping, especially on a rainy day. Just be aware that many people have the same idea, so it is often extremely crowded, especially on weekends and holidays.
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