Kagawa travel guide: Takamatsu gardens, Kotohira Shrine and Shodoshima

Plan a trip to Kagawa with official information on Takamatsu Airport buses, Ritsurin Garden, Kotohiragu Shrine, Shodoshima ferries, Angel Road tides, seasonal events and local udon.

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  • 香川
  • Shrines, temples and parks
  • Independent travel

Kagawa Prefecture () can be explored through three themes: gardens in Takamatsu (), shrine steps in Kotohira (), and the tidal sandbar on Shodoshima (). Based on official pages checked on 29 October 2026, this guide covers Takamatsu Airport transport, rules at major sights, ferries and annual events. Ritsurin Garden () introduces traditional garden landscapes; Kotohiragu Shrine () is known for its stone-step approach; and the appearance of Angel Road depends on the tide. Connections, walking requirements and boarding conditions differ by location and should be checked separately.

Key points

  • Takamatsu gardens: Ritsurin Garden changes its opening hours by month; weather warnings may also affect access.
  • Kotohira worship: The approach to Kotohiragu Shrine’s main sanctuary has 785 stone steps. Official walking-time examples are not guarantees for every visitor.
  • Island transport: The regular ferry from Takamatsu Port to Tonosho Port takes about 60 minutes; Angel Road is exposed only at suitable tide levels.
  • Annual events: Dates are listed for the 2026 Ritsurin Garden autumn illumination and Kotohiragu annual festival. They must not automatically be applied to 2027.

Transport gateways

Gateway Official information (checked 2026-10-29) Check before departure
Takamatsu Airport to the city The limousine bus from Takamatsu Airport () to Takamatsu Station () and the ferry boarding area takes about 45 minutes and costs 1,300 yen for an adult; to Ritsurin Garden-mae, about 23 minutes and 1,000 yen for an adult. Services on the travel date, designated bus stops and actual fares.
Takamatsu Airport to Kotohira The official listing gives about 48 minutes and 2,000 yen for an adult for the airport bus to JR Kotohira Station (). Whether it runs that day and its timetable.
Takamatsu Port to Shodoshima A regular ferry runs from Takamatsu Port () to Tonosho Port (), taking about 60 minutes. Boarding without a reservation is first-come, first-served, but a seat is not guaranteed if full. Departure-day sailings, weather, available space and onward transport on the island.

Travel from Takamatsu to Shodoshima is by sea, while a visit to Kotohira requires separate land transport and walking up stone steps. Do not mistake the airport-to-Takamatsu-Station time for the complete airport-to-Shodoshima journey, or simply add reference times together as though they were a fixed itinerary.

Main attractions and experiences

Name Features Official notes and charges (checked 2026-10-29)
Ritsurin Garden A traditional garden in Takamatsu with monthly variations in entry hours. Adults 500 yen; elementary/junior-high students 170 yen. October: 6:00 to 17:30; November: 6:30 to 17:00. Storm warnings may cause temporary closures.
Kotohiragu Shrine Stone steps connect the main approach and the main sanctuary (); this cultural visit requires consideration of the walking effort. There are 785 steps to the main sanctuary. The shrine provides walking-time examples, but the actual duration varies with starting point and fitness and is not guaranteed.
Angel Road () A sandbar on Shodoshima that appears and disappears with the tide. Do not assume it is walkable all day; check tide information for the specific date.
Takamatsu–Tonosho ferry Both a sea crossing between the mainland and Shodoshima and the transport gateway to island attractions. The regular ferry takes about 60 minutes; confirm sailings and boarding conditions before departure.

Local food

Food Local characteristics
Udon () The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries describes links between Kagawa udon and local wheat, salt, dried-fish stock and soy sauce traditions.
Shoyu-mame () A local food made by roasting dried broad beans and then soaking them in a soy-sauce seasoning mixture.
Shippoku udon () A Kagawa regional dish documented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, distinct from a simple bowl of noodle soup.

Seasons and events

Month / season Event Official dates (checked 2026-10-29)
October 2026 Kotohiragu annual festival () 9 to 11 October 2026, with an important procession on 10 October. Check official announcements separately for 2027.
November 2026 Ritsurin Garden autumn evening illumination 20 to 29 November 2026, the announced period for that year. No confirmed 2027 dates were available at the time of checking.
Tide-dependent year-round Angel Road on Shodoshima The times when the sandbar appears depend on each day’s tides; no single fixed time applies every day.

What to check before departure

Official information sources include the Takamatsu Airport bus page, Ritsurin Garden visitor information and autumn-event notices, Kotohiragu’s main-sanctuary visiting guide, Tonosho Town’s Angel Road information and Shodoshima Ferry’s Takamatsu–Tonosho route page. For a shrine visit, first understand the physical demands of the steps. For an island visit, check the ferry and tides, not just the departure port. Fares, hours and services can change; consult official sites before traveling.

Further reading

Sources