Kagawa is Japan’s smallest prefecture — but it punches far above its weight. It’s the undisputed udon capital of Japan (the prefecture has more udon restaurants per capita than anywhere on earth), home to one of Japan’s three great gardens, and the gateway to the extraordinary Setouchi art islands.
Top Attractions
1. Naoshima Island
A small island in the Seto Inland Sea that has been transformed into one of the world’s great contemporary art destinations. The Chichu Art Museum (with permanent Monet and Turrell installations), the Benesse House Museum, and over a dozen gallery buildings by architect Tadao Ando make Naoshima unmissable for art lovers.
2. Ritsurin Garden
Arguably Japan’s most beautiful garden — larger and arguably more refined than Kenroku-en or Korakuen — Ritsurin took over 100 years to complete and represents the pinnacle of Japanese landscape design.
3. Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san)
One of Japan’s most popular shrines, reached by climbing 785 (or 1,368) stone steps up a forested mountainside. The views from the top over the Sanuki Plain are spectacular.
Food & Drink
Sanuki Udon — firm, chewy noodles in a delicate dashi broth — is eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Kagawa. Incredibly cheap and incredibly delicious, a bowl costs around 200-400 yen at local shops. Olive Beef (cattle fed on olive byproducts from Shodoshima Island) is a unique local wagyu.
Getting There
From Osaka, the Marine Liner reaches Takamatsu (Kagawa’s capital) in about 1 hour.
