Where to Stay in Takamatsu: Choosing the Right Area

Sunport Takamatsu's hotels and plazas sit right beside JR Takamatsu Station, and boats to Naoshima, Shodoshima and other islands leave from Takamatsu Port just in front. Tamamo Park, the site of Takamatsu Castle, and Kitahama Alley, a converted warehouse district, are both within walking distance.

Best for

• ✓First trips to Kagawa
• ✓Using the city as a base for island hopping
• ✓Catching early-morning boats

Keep in mind

It is a little way from the heart of the shopping arcades, so heading toward Kawaramachi for dinner gives you more choice.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Takamatsu Station; Takamatsu-Chikko Station (Kotoden)

The center of Takamatsu, where the Takamatsu Central Shopping Arcade, said to be the longest in Japan, is lined with udon shops, izakaya pubs and stores. Kotoden's Kawaramachi Station serves the Kotohira, Shido and Nagao lines, making it easy to head toward Yashima as well.

Best for

• ✓Anyone who wants to dine and shop in the evening
• ✓Udon hopping
• ✓Exploring town even on rainy days

Keep in mind

Getting to the port or JR Takamatsu Station means taking the Kotoden or a bus.

Nearest stations

🚉 Kawaramachi Station and Kataharamachi Station (Kotoden)

The area around Ritsurin Garden, designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government, is ideal for an early stroll through the garden. It has stations on the Kotoden Kotohira Line and the JR Kotoku Line, with easy access to the city center.

Best for

• ✓Garden lovers
• ✓Anyone who prefers a calm place to stay
• ✓Travelers using the airport bus

Keep in mind

There are not many hotels in the area, so it is safer to book early.

Nearest stations

🚉 Ritsurin-koen Station (Kotoden); JR Ritsurin-koen Kitaguchi Station

Options range from Benesse House, where the hotel and museum are one, to minshuku guesthouses and hostels around Miyanoura Port and Honmura. The appeal of staying overnight is the quiet island time after the day-trippers have left.

Best for

• ✓Travelers coming for art
• ✓Relaxing island stays
• ✓Visiting nearby islands such as Teshima

Keep in mind

Few restaurants on the island are open in the evening, so decide where to have dinner in advance.

Nearest stations

🚉 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima); Honmura Port (Naoshima Port)

The second-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, with ryokan inns and resort hotels scattered mainly around Tonosho Port. It makes a base for exploring sights such as Kankakei Gorge and Olive Park by car or bus.

Best for

• ✓Relaxed family stays
• ✓Touring the island by rental car
• ✓Staying somewhere with sea views

Keep in mind

Sights are spread widely across the island, so getting around takes time without a car.

Nearest stations

🚉 Tonosho Port, Ikeda Port, Kusakabe Port and others (ferries and high-speed boats)

A shrine town where souvenir shops line the approach to Kotohiragu Shrine and the ryokan inns of Konpira Onsen are gathered. You can visit the shrine early in the morning and soak in a hot spring after climbing the long stone stairs.

Best for

• ✓Visiting Kotohiragu Shrine early in the morning
• ✓Staying at a hot spring ryokan
• ✓Exploring western Kagawa as well

Keep in mind

It is a long way from central Takamatsu and not suited as a base for island hopping.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Kotohira Station; Kotoden-Kotohira Station (Kotoden)