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Takamatsu City’s Introduction

Takamatsu City’s Introduction

Details

Location Kagawa Prefecture
Area 375 km²
Population 420,529

Takamatsu City is the capital of Kagawa Prefecture. It has a population of about 420,000 people and an area of about 375 km². Takamatsu City offers convenient access to places in Shikoku, and can be used as a base for travel nearby. Takamatsu City has access to the sea, islands, towns and mountains within an area of about 23 km east to west, and about 36 km south to north. It offers many great attractions, and you can enjoy art, shopping or especially anything in the central area despite the compact space. Near JR Takamatsu Station, a terminal station, is Takamatsu Port, which serves as a gateway to the sea and provides access to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Freely travel from the central part of the city to the islands, which is one of its great features. Takamatsu Airport can be accessed by car in about 30 minutes from the central part of the city. It is linked to Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Hong Kong by direct flight. As a gateway to Shikoku, it attracts many tourists from Japan and overseas.

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Takamatsu City`s Appeal

Takamatsu City is surrounded by abundant nature, facing the Seto Inland Sea, which is characterized by gentle waves, and boasts a picturesque archipelago in the north and the Sanuki Mountains in the south. Yashima is located in the northeastern part of Takamatsu City, designated as the Seto Inland Sea national park. Experience the picturesque archipelago of the Seto Inland Sea, the urban district of Takamatsu City, the Sanuki Mountains and more from the observatory at the top.

Ritsurin Garden Park

"Ritsurin Garden", is one of Kagawa's most treasured sites with a great number of domestic and international tourists coming to view the traditionally landscaped scenery. Ritsurin Garden is the largest Cultural Property Garden in all of Japan, and is an important cultural asset that has been maintained for nearly 400 years. Seasonal flowers and one thousand carefully maintained pine trees create gorgeous scenery that changes throughout the seasons. The garden was designed to be leisurely strolled through, and each step offers a new perspective on the garden's scenery.

 

Mt.Yashima

From the lava plateau that looks like a roof, you can look out over the Seto Inland Sea, as it blends together with the islands and cityscape of Takamatsu. The drive to the summit is very popular, as you look out over the location where the famous Kagawa product aji stone is produced. At the summit, the 84th of the Shikoku 88 Holy Places (88 temples where pilgrims visit to rid themselves of bad luck and make wishes) is located at the Yashima Temple. Although it is now connected, Yashima was a separate island in ancient times. It is said that a castle was built on top of the bluff, a natural protection against invaders from other lands.

 

Takamatsu was established in the Kamakura period. The name comes from Takamatsu Castle that Chikamasa Ikoma, a vassal of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, built and inhabited in Tamonoura in 1588. It flourished as a castle town for 54 years under four generations of the Ikoma family and for 220 years under 11 generations of the Matsudaira family. Manufacturing developed due to industrial promotional measures, including lacquer art, Botaori fabric, pine bonsai (miniature potted trees) and papier-mâché, which created a cultural boom. Some items became gifts to the shogunate, and these traditions have been passed down from generation to generation.After the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures during the Meiji Restoration, Takamatsu City became the capital of Kagawa Prefecture. 

Downtown areas in Takamatsu are dotted with attractive artworks. If you stroll around the downtown area, you will see works by master artists such as Kenzo Tange and Isamu Noguchi. Artworks are displayed from the contemporary art festival, the Setouchi Triennale. Drop by for a photo shoot. Takamatsu is enlivened with artworks by master artists and contemporary art. It is a remarkable city visited by tourists from around the world.

An experience you won`t find anywhere else…

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