Takamatsu Airport (TAK) → Takamatsu Station
The airport south of the city. Limousine buses run to Takamatsu Station and downtown. Flights can vary by season — check airline schedules.
Takamatsu Travel Guide
Takamatsu, a port city in Kagawa on Shikoku, is the home of sanuki udon and the gateway to the Seto Inland Sea art islands of Naoshima and Teshima. Enjoy a vast Japanese garden, island hopping and udon shops at an easy pace.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: no advisory · some areas have alerts
Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): within 30 km of Fukushima Daiichi NPP and government-designated evacuation zones / rest of Japan: no advisory
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Plan your Takamatsu trip
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On this page
Lowest fare: Seoul (ICN) → Takamatsu
Based on recent searches — the price may change when you book.
See round-trip flights for these dates →Lowest saved nonstop round-trip fare per person for a 4-day trip.
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Check prices →Seoul Incheon → Takamatsu flights →
At a glance
- Currency
- JPY (¥)
- Power & plugs
- 100V · Type A/B
- Driving side
- Left
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 日本語
- How long to stay
- 3 to 4 days (with islands)
Emergency numbers
- Police110
- Ambulance119
- Fire119
- Tourist hotline050-3816-2787
When to go
March-May and October-November are good for walking with calm seas. Summers are hot and humid, and islands and ferries get busy in Setouchi Triennale years.
Monthly climate normals
Warmest: Aug (avg high 33.0°C) · Coolest: Jan (avg low 2.1°C) · Wettest: Sep (167.4 mm)
| High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.7° | 2.1° | 39.4 |
| Feb | 10.5° | 2.2° | 45.8 |
| Mar | 14.1° | 5.0° | 81.4 |
| Apr | 19.8° | 9.9° | 74.6 |
| May | 24.8° | 15.1° | 100.9 |
| Jun | 27.5° | 19.8° | 153.1 |
| Jul | 31.7° | 24.1° | 159.8 |
| Aug | 33.0° | 25.1° | 106.0 |
| Sep | 28.8° | 21.2° | 167.4 |
| Oct | 23.2° | 15.1° | 120.1 |
| Nov | 17.5° | 9.1° | 55.0 |
| Dec | 12.1° | 4.3° | 46.7 |
Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency · Takamatsu station · 1991–2020 normals —View source
Airport to the city
Okayama Airport (OKJ) → Takamatsu Station
Take the airport bus to Okayama Station, then a rapid train across the Seto Ohashi Bridge to Takamatsu.
Kansai Airport (KIX) → Takamatsu
The highway bus between Kansai Airport and Takamatsu is currently suspended. Check official information for any restart; meanwhile, look into rail via Okayama.
Getting around
Boats (island trips)
Boats leave from Takamatsu Port, about 5-10 minutes' walk from JR Takamatsu Station. Naoshima (Miyanoura): Shikoku Kisen (四国汽船) ferry about 50 min, ¥680; fast boat about 30 min, ¥1,590. Shodoshima (Tonosho): Shodoshima Ferry (小豆島フェリー) ferry about 60 min, ¥700; fast boat about 35 min, ¥1,400. Shodoshima (Ikeda): Kokusai Ryobi Ferry (国際両備フェリー) ferry about 60 min, ¥700. Fares are adult one-way. Check the official timetable for sailings and suspension days.
Kotoden railway
A small private railway linking downtown with Ritsurin Garden and Kotohira. IC cards work.
JR trains & buses
Use JR or buses for Yashima and Okayama.
Bicycles
Downtown is flat and good for rental bikes; bikes and e-bikes are also available on the islands.
Where to stay
Takamatsu Station & port
Good for: First visit, island trips
The station sits beside the ferry terminal — the easiest base for islands.
Kawaramachi & shopping arcades
Good for: Restaurants, evening strolls
The downtown core with long covered arcades, restaurants and izakaya.
Around Ritsurin Garden
Good for: Quiet stays, garden walks
Quieter, south of downtown and a short Kotoden ride away.
Naoshima (a night on the island)
Good for: Art trips, slow island time
Stay a night to enjoy the museums and island mood at leisure; rooms are few, so book early.
Map of stays in Takamatsu
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Takamatsu in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Ritsurin Garden
A vast Japanese garden of pines, ponds and a backdrop hill; boat rides on the pond are offered.
Ritsurin Garden · Photo: Sei F / CC BY-SA 2.0 Tamamo Park (Takamatsu Castle ruins)
Castle ruins with a moat fed by seawater, a short walk from the station.
Tamamo Park (Takamatsu Castle ruins) · Photo: 663highland / CC BY-SA 3.0 Yashima
A flat-topped plateau with views over the city and Inland Sea islands, with a temple and lookouts.
Yashima · Photo: Saigen Jiro / CC0 Naoshima
The art island famous for museums and outdoor works. From Takamatsu Port to Miyanoura Port, the Shikoku Kisen (四国汽船) ferry takes about 50 min (¥680) and the fast boat about 30 min (¥1,590). Fast-boat tickets are sold at the counter for cash only. Some Teshima Ferry (豊島フェリー) fast boats stop at Honmura Port (about 30 min, ¥1,450, cash only). Check official information for museum reservations, closing days and boat times.
Teshima
A quiet island with a museum set among terraced rice fields and sea views. Buses are few, so bikes help.
Shodoshima
A large island known for its olive park, sea views and gorge scenery. From Takamatsu Port to Tonosho Port: Shodoshima Ferry (小豆島フェリー) ferry about 60 min (¥700) or fast boat about 35 min (¥1,400). To Ikeda Port: Kokusai Ryobi Ferry (国際両備フェリー) ferry about 60 min (¥700). Jumbo Ferry (ジャンボフェリー) (¥700) to Sakate Port leaves from Takamatsu East Port, not the port by the station. Boats to Kusakabe Port are suspended (Kagawa Prefecture route notice posted 20 May 2026).
Kankakei Gorge, Shodoshima · Photo: 663highland / CC BY-SA 3.0 Kotohiragu Shrine (Konpira-san)
A shrine to the sea god reached by 785 steps, about an hour by Kotoden.
Setouchi Triennale
An art festival on the islands every three years in spring, summer and autumn. Check official information for years and dates.
What to eat
Sanuki udon
Kagawa's famous chewy noodles. At self-service shops you take your noodles, add toppings and pay. About ¥300-800.
Honetsuki-dori
Salty, peppery roasted chicken leg on the bone. Prices vary by place.
Inland Sea seafood
Sashimi and rice bowls of sea bream, yellowtail and more. Prices vary by place.
Olive dishes
Try dishes and olive oil products made with Shodoshima olives.
Wasanbon sweets
Small sweets of traditional Kagawa sugar — good with tea or as souvenirs.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout ¥8,000-12,000 per day: business hotel, udon, trains
Mid-rangeabout ¥18,000-28,000 per day: nicer hotel, island trips, museums
Comfortabout ¥50,000+ per day: ryokan, island resort
According to a Japan Tourism Agency survey (2025), foreign leisure travellers visiting Kagawa Prefecture spent an average of about ¥79,000 per person per visit (excluding travel between prefectures). Actual costs vary widely with itinerary and accommodation.
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Suggested itinerary
- Day 1
Airport to Takamatsu Station, Tamamo Park, udon, then an evening arcade stroll.
- Day 2
Morning boat to Naoshima, museums and outdoor art, back to Takamatsu in the late afternoon.
- Day 3
Ritsurin Garden in the morning, Yashima views in the afternoon, honetsuki-dori for dinner.
- Day 4
Climb the steps at Kotohiragu (or visit Shodoshima), one more bowl of udon, then the airport.
Local tips
- Island boats are infrequent. Check the return sailing first and plan around it.
- Naoshima and Teshima museums may require reservations or close on set days. Check official information before you go.
- Popular udon shops may close in the early afternoon or run out of noodles — go early for lunch.
- Island buses are infrequent, so renting a bike helps.
- IC cards work on the Kotoden and buses.
- Check official Japanese government information on entry procedures (such as online registration) before you travel.
- Takamatsu Port's boarding points are numbered: ferries to Naoshima and Shodoshima use 1 and 2, fast boats use 3, and Teshima Ferry (豊島フェリー) uses 4. Follow the numbered signs.
- Boats to Naoshima and Tonosho do not take passenger reservations; boarding is first come, first served. Naoshima fast boats and Teshima Ferry (豊島フェリー) take cash only.
Related articles
Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.