Takamatsu City Guide: Kitahama Alley, the Shopping Arcades, Tamamo Park and Yashima (2026)

Quick answer: Takamatsu is Kagawa’s capital and the main port for the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea. In the centre you can visit Tamamo Park (the ruins of Takamatsu Castle, with a seawater moat where sea bream swim), Kitahama Alley (old warehouses turned into cafes and shops) and the covered shopping arcades, which run for about 2.7 km and are often described as Japan’s longest. Outside the centre, head up Yashima, home to Temple 84 of the Shikoku pilgrimage. There’s no cable car — take the summit shuttle bus (¥700 from JR Takamatsu Station since 1 October 2026).

I live in Tokushima, next door to Kagawa. In Takamatsu I’ve been to Kitahama Alley, walked the shopping arcades, visited Tamamo Park, and been to Yashima. Here’s what to see, plus the practical things to know if you use the city as a base.

Why use Takamatsu as a base

• Islands: ferries leave Takamatsu Port for Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima and Ogijima. Megijima is 20 minutes away and Ogijima 40 minutes on the local ferry.
• Easy on foot: Tamamo Park is within walking distance of JR Takamatsu Station, Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station and the port.
• Day trips by train: Kotoden trains run from Takamatsu-Chikko to Kotohira for Konpira-san (¥780 since October 2026).

See Naoshima and Shodoshima from Takamatsu, Climbing Konpira-san and Kagawa in 2 Days.

Tamamo Park (Takamatsu Castle ruins)

Tamamo Park is what remains of Takamatsu Castle, one of Japan’s “three great water castles”. The moat is filled with seawater from the Seto Inland Sea, and sea bream swim in it. I’ve visited the park myself.

• Sea bream feeding: bait costs ¥100 from a capsule machine.
• Boat ride: a traditional wooden boat (wasen) takes you round the moat for about 30 minutes, with sea bream feeding. Check the current price before you go.
• Hiunkaku: a residence completed in 1917 and named an Important Cultural Property in 2012. It’s usually closed to the public, apart from free openings on 1–3 January and 5 May.
• Sakuragomon gate: lost in the 1945 air raid and rebuilt in 2022.
• The keep: dismantled in 1884. The city is studying the safety of the keep base, but there is no plan or schedule to rebuild it.

Fees and hours: since the 2026 fiscal year, visitors under 18 enter free. The adult fee and the opening hours (which change by month and by gate) differ between sources, so check the official site before you go.

Kitahama Alley

Kitahama Alley is a group of old warehouses near Takamatsu Port, now turned into restaurants, cafes, shops, galleries and places to stay. The old corrugated sheets, wooden doors, beams and signs were kept, so it still has a warehouse feel. I’ve been there myself.

• Hours: there are no shared hours. Each shop sets its own days and times, so check the ones you want to visit.
• Access: about 13 minutes’ walk from JR Takamatsu Station, or about 4 minutes from Kotoden Kataharamachi Station. There’s a paid car park.

The shopping arcades

Central Takamatsu has eight covered shopping arcades joined together, with a total length of about 2.7 km. They’re often described as Japan’s longest shopping arcade. I’ve walked them myself.

• Marugamemachi (470 m) has a glass roof and, at its north end, a dome modelled on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.
• The square under the dome, Dome Hiroba, was designed by Kagawa-born artist Takeshi Kawashima and hosts about 250 events a year.
• The other arcades are Minamishinmachi, Kataharamachi West and East, Hyogomachi, Tokiwacho, Tamachi and Lion-dori.

Evenings

In the evening, the back streets off the arcades fill with izakaya. Look in the streets around Kawaramachi and Furujinmachi. Local dishes include olive-fed wagyu, Seto Inland Sea seafood and honetsukidori, Marugame’s roast chicken leg — the Marugame restaurant that has served it since 1952 also has a branch in the Takamatsu area. See Honetsukidori in Marugame and How to Order Sanuki Udon.

Sunport and the red lighthouse

By the port, the red lighthouse nicknamed Setoshirube is described by Kagawa Prefecture as the world’s first glass lighthouse. It’s a symbol of the Sunport Takamatsu waterfront.

Yashima

I’ve been to Yashima. Here’s what’s there and how to get up.

• Yashima-ji (Temple 84): a temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage. Tradition says it was founded in 754 by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin), and that Kukai later moved it to where it stands now. The main hall, its Thousand-Armed Kannon and a bell from 1223 are Important Cultural Properties. The treasure museum holds items linked to the Battle of Yashima (1185).
• Yashimaru: a visitor facility on Yashima. Entry to the building is free; the panorama artwork inside has a separate fee. Check the current hours and closing days before you go.
• Getting up: there is no cable car. Take the Kotoden summit shuttle bus. Fares since 1 October 2026:

Children and disabled passengers pay half. Check the timetable before you go.

See The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Temples 1–23 in Tokushima for how the pilgrimage works.

Getting around Takamatsu

See also Ritsurin Garden, Hiroshima to Shikoku and Renting a Car in Shikoku.

FAQ

Is Takamatsu a good base for the art islands?
Yes. Ferries to Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima and Ogijima leave from Takamatsu Port.

Is it really Japan’s longest shopping arcade?
It’s often described that way. The eight arcades total about 2.7 km.

Can I use Suica or ICOCA in Takamatsu?
On Kotoden trains, yes. On Kotoden buses, no. Check before you go, as this could change.

How do I get up Yashima?
By the summit shuttle bus — there’s no cable car. It’s ¥700 from JR Takamatsu Station.

Fares, fees and access checked on Kotoden, Kagawa Prefecture, Takamatsu tourism and other sources on 28 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.