Takamatsu

Takamatsu is the gateway to Shikoku and one of Japan's most underrated cities. Its crown jewel is Ritsurin Garden, widely considered one of the finest strolling gardens in the country — six ponds, thirteen landscaped hills, and centuries-old pine trees set against the forested Mount Shiun backdrop.

As the capital of Kagawa Prefecture, Takamatsu is the undisputed heartland of Sanuki udon. The city is also the main port for ferries to the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea, including Naoshima, Teshima, and Shodoshima. With excellent train connections to Kotohira and Tokushima, Takamatsu makes an ideal base for exploring northern Shikoku.