Kagawa is located on the island of Shikoku, across the Seto Ohashi Bridge from Okayama. The prefecture and its capital, Takamatsu, are famed for their thriving art scene; several key venues of the international Setouchi Triennale art festival are in Kagawa.
TIP: If you have a day to spare, head to Naoshima, the island
from where Setouchi’s transformation into a world-class artistic destination began.
Score a window seat on the JR Marine Liner to admire the island-dotted Inland Sea through the steel structure of the world’s longest double-deck bridge.
JR Seto-Ohashi Line Marine Liner train from Okayama Station to Takamatsu Station (55 min)
Rainbow Loop Bus from Takamatsu Station, alight at Konyamachi (6 min)
The permanent collection centres post-war Japanese modern and contemporary art from Isamu Noguchi to Takashi Murakami, and the special exhibitions are just that – special.
10-4 Konyamachi, Takamatsu / Closed Mon (Tue if Mon is a holiday).
Walk (12 min)
Relish Kagawa’s famed udon noodles hot in soup broth, cold dipped in savoury sauce or with a side of tempura, from early morning to late evening.
6-20 Nishinomarucho, Takamatsu.
This artsy seaside bookstore spotlights the work of local artists, authors and creators from zine-makers to internationally renowned luminaries like the Takamatsu-born Genichiro Inokuma.
3-2 Kitahamacho, Takamatsu.
Walk (15 min)
JR Kotoku Line train from Takamatsu Station, alight at Yashima Station (16 min)
Yashima-Sanjo Shuttle Bus from Yashima Station to Yashima-Sanjo (20 min)
Architect Takashi Suo’s visionary mountaintop visitor centre takes the shape of an irregularly winding corridor covered with 30,000 roof tiles made from local granite.
1784-6 Yashima Higashimachi, Takamatsu / Closed Tue (Wed if Tue is a holiday).
Yashima-Sanjo Shuttle Bus from Yashima-Sanjo, alight at Kotoden Yashima Station (10 min)
Kotoden Shido Line train from Kotoden Yashima Station to Kawaramachi Station (16 min)
Walk (5 min)
The wood-cloaked café interior catches the eye, while Japanese coffeeshop classics like ‘Napolitan’ spaghetti and colourful ice cream floats guarantee plenty of culinary amusement. The in- demand Masanao Hirayama serves as Dorsia’s art director.
2-1-6 Shiogamicho, Takamatsu.
Discover Time Out original video
