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Takamatsu 高松
—  Core city  —
高松市 · Takamatsu
A view of the city (from Chuo-dori)
Flag
Location of Takamatsu in Kagawa
Takamatsu
Coordinates: 34°21′N 134°3′E / 34.35°N 134.05°E / 34.35; 134.05Coordinates: 34°21′N 134°3′E / 34.35°N 134.05°E / 34.35; 134.05
Country	Japan
Region	Shikoku
Prefecture	Kagawa
Area
- Total	375.11 km2 (144.8 sq mi)
Population (January 1, 2010)	419,361
- Density	1,117.97/km2 (2,895.5/sq mi)
City Symbols
- Tree	Pine
- Flower	Azalea
Website	City of Takamatsu
Phone number	087-839-2011
Address 1-8-15 Banchō, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa-ken 760-8571

Takamatsu (高松市, Takamatsu-shi^?) is located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island. For this reason it flourished under the Daimyo (feudal lords) as a castle town in the fiefdom of Takamatsu, during the Edo Period. Takamatsu is a city with a large concentration of nationwide companies' branch offices, which play a large role in its economy, and it contains most of the national government's branch offices for Shikoku. The castle tower formerly used as the symbol of the city was destroyed during the Meiji Period. In 2004, construction of the Symbol Tower, the new symbol of Takamatsu, was completed.

The Takamatsu metropolitan region has a population of 670,000, making it the largest in Shikoku. Takamatsu Airport is located in Takamatsu.

On September 26, 2005 the town of Shionoe, from Kagawa District, was merged into Takamatsu. Then on January 10, 2006 Takamatsu absrbed the towns of Aji and Mure, both from Kita District, the towns of Kagawa and Kōnan, both from Kagawa District, and the town of Kokubunji, from Ayauta District, to form the new and expanded city of Takamatsu.

Geography and Demographics

As of January 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 419,361 with a population density of 1117 persons per km². The total area is 375.11 km² following the September 26, 2005 and January 10, 2006 expansions, in which the towns of Shionoe, Mure, Aji, Kagawa, Konan, and Kokubunji merged into the city.

History and tourism

The city was officially founded on February 15, 1890. It had been a political and economic center in this area since the Edo period when the Matsudaira clan made Takamatsu the capital of their han.

Since the opening of the Great Seto Bridge, trains service carries passengers between Takamatsu and Uno (Tamano, Okayama).

The city's major tourist attraction is Ritsurin Park, a beautiful garden, created in the Edo period.

Takamatsu Castle's tenshu (keep) is being reconstructed and will be a tourist attraction when completed.^[1][2]

Economy

Asiana Airlines operates a sales office on the twelfth floor of the Nihon Seimei Ekimae Building in Takamatsu.^[3]

Transportation

Takamatsu is well connected to the rest of Shikoku, and Japan's main island of Honshū.

JR Takamatsu station has trains to Okayama station on Honshū via the Seto-Ōhashi bridge, and to destination around Shikoku. A local tram service operated by Kotoden connects much of Takamatsu. This tram service, as well as local buses operated by Kotoden accept a contactless payment card for travel called an IruCa^[4].

Long distance coach services operate from the city to destinations such as Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and Hiroshima.

Sister cities

Takamatsu is twinned with:

• Sister Cities
  • St. Petersburg, Florida, United States^[5]
  • Tours, France^[6]

• Friendship Cities
  • Nanchang, People's Republic of China^[7]

In Literature

• Takamatsu is one of the settings in Haruki Murakami's novel Kafka on the Shore.

Weather

The Symbol Tower is part of Sunport Takamatsu, a redevelopment project near Takamatsu Station.

Ritsurin Park has an extensive Japanese garden.

See also

• Prefectures of Japan
• Busshozan

References

1. ^ 特集 高松城跡天守台石垣修理―四国新聞社
2. ^ Takamatsu Castle
3. ^ "Worldwide Offices Japan." Asiana Airlines. Retrieved on January 19, 2009.
4. ^ "Takamatsu Japan, what to do there". http://www.reviewmylife.co.uk/blog/2009/12/21/takamatsu-japan-what-to-do-there/. Retrieved 2010-03-13. 
5. ^ "St. Petersburg". Takamatsu city. http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/profile/st-petersburg/. Retrieved 2009-05-26. 
6. ^ "Tours". Takamatsu city. http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/profile/tours/. Retrieved 2009-05-26. 
7. ^ "Nanchang". Takamatsu city. http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/profile/nanchang/. Retrieved 2009-05-26. 
8. ^ "気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）". Japan Meteorological Agency. http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=72&prec_ch=%8D%81%90%EC%8C%A7&block_no=47891&block_ch=%8D%82%8F%BC&year=&month=&day=&elm=normal&view=. 

External links

• Official website in Japanese
• Notes From Shikoku in English

Kagawa Prefecture Cities Higashikagawa | Kan'onji | Marugame | Mitoyo | Sakaide | Sanuki | Takamatsu (capital) | Zentsūji Ayauta District Ayagawa | Utazu Kagawa District Naoshima Kita District Miki Nakatado District: Kotohira | Mannō | Tadotsu Shōzu District Shōdoshima | Tonoshō

From Wikitravel

Takamatsu (高松) [1] is the largest city in Kagawa prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan. The city has developed as a port town for a long time, therefore, it is called "The Gate of Shikoku". But recently, it is well-known as "The Kingdom of Udon".

Ritsurin Park

Get in

Before the Honshu-Shikoku Bridges were completed, from the mailand of Japan,Honshu,the only ways to get in Takamatsu had been by sea and by air. At the present time, there are various ways of transportation and it is convenient to get in.

By plane

Takamatsu's airport is served by both of Japan's major airlines. JAL offers nonstop service from Tokyo Haneda Airport, Sendai and Kagoshima. ANA offers nonstop service from Tokyo Haneda and from Sapporo Chitose Airport.　Asiana Airlines also offers international service to Seoul Incheon Airport.

Buses connect the airport to Takamatsu station (40 minutes, ¥740).

Limousine buses make seven round trips per day between Takamatsu and Kansai International Airport in Osaka, via the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (¥3750; 3 1/2 hours).

By train

The most frequent train services from Honshu to Takamatsu are on the Marine Liner (マリンライナー), a rapid train service which runs from Okayama via the Seto-Ohashi Bridge about twice an hour. The one-way ride takes around 55 minutes and costs ¥1470. (Free with the Japan Rail Pass)

Connections to the Marine Liner can be made from the rest of the country via Shinkansen (Hiroshima, 1 hr 40 mins; Osaka, 2 hrs; Tokyo, 4 1/2 hrs).

An overnight sleeper train, the Sunrise Seto (サンライズ瀬戸), makes daily runs to Takamatsu out of Tokyo Station. The train ride lasts about 9 1/2 hours.

By bus

Takamatsu Express Group operates the following routes of bus services, named Foot-Bus, from the Kansai area.

• Namba in Osaka to Takamatsu, 3 hours 20 minutes, ¥3600 one way, 16 round-trips daily.
• Sannomiya in Kobe to Takamatsu, 2 hours 30 minutes, ¥2650 one way, 6 round-trips daily.

The buses of both routes run through the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway including the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and the Ohnaruto Bridge.

JR Bus Group operates two overnight bus services, named Dream-Takamatsu-Go, from Tokyo Station to Takamatsu station via the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge; one bus stops at Shinjuku enroute. The ride on the takes approximately 10 hours and costs ¥10000 one way, ¥18200 round trip.

In addition, the group operates three daytime bus services, from the Kansai via the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. There are three distinct lines, each serving Kyoto (named Takamatsu-Express-Kyoto-Go, 3 3/4 hours, ¥4800 one way, 6 round-trips daily), Osaka (named Takamatsu-Express-Osaka-Go, 3 1/2 hours, ¥3800 one way, 36 round-trips daily) and Kobe (named Takamatsu-Express-Kobe-Go, 3 hours, ¥3600 one way, 22 round-trips daily).

Daytime buses, named Setouchi, run from Hiroshima via the Seto-Ohashi Bridge (3 3/4 hours, ¥4000 one way, 5 round-trips daily).

By ferry

Jumbo Ferry offers regular services, for people and vehicles, 5 times a day from the Port of Kobe to the East-Port of Takamatsu. The one-way trip takes 3 hours 40 minutes and costs ¥1800. Buses connect the Jumbo Ferry Pier of Kobe to Kobe-Sannomiya Station (5minutes,¥200), and connect the Jumbo Ferry Pier of Takamatsu to Takamatsu Station (15 minutes, fare free). The ferry sails across under the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.

Utaka-Kokudou Ferry offers regular services, for people and vehicles, every 28 minutes (50 times a day) from the Port of Uno in Okayama to the Port of Takamatsu. The one-way trip takes around 55 minutes and costs ¥390. Both of the Utaka-Kokudou Ferry Piers are close to each of the stations in Uno and Takamatsu. The ferry sails among many islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

Get around

You can rent a bike for a whole day for all of ¥100 from one of the 4 Cycle Rental Stations. The easiest one is located just in front of the JR Takamatsu Station in the basement of the Cycle Park. Well it may help to know some Japanese, try speaking to one of the friendly staff stationed there. You would need a Photo-ID.

In Takamatsu, there are very long and old shopping streets eminent in Japan, called Shotengai. Each streets are named Marugame-Machi, minami-shin-machi, hyogo-machi, katahara-machi, ta-machi and tokiwa-gai.

Takamatsu is extremely cyclist-friendly, and you'd observe that from a short ride through the Shotengais.

• Ritsurin Park (栗林公園 ritsurin kouen), 20-16 1-chome Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa (about 3 minutes walk from JR Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station, 5 from the Kotoden Ritsurin Koen station , also accessable by bus), ☎ 087-833-7411, [2]. Hours vary by month. From June through August it is open from 5:30AM to 7:00PM (the longest hours) and in December and January it is open from 7AM to 5PM (the shortest hours). A beautiful and very large Japanese landscape garden built for the Sanuki and Sasuma lords. Although it is not one of the official top three gardens of Japan, it is undoubtedly one of Japan's most impressive gardens. The garden itself is full of interesting things to see and spectacular views. Some of the highlights include the Engetsukyo Bridge, the Okedoi-no-taki Waterfall, the Red Wall of rocks, tea garden, and a lotus pond, among other things. The park also contains three tea houses, a restaurant, and a folk craft museum. It has been designated a Japanese National Treasure. On the map you receive when you purchase your ticket (and on the website), you'll find a route specifically designed for handicap visitors. 400yen (adults), 170 yen (children).  edit

• Takamatsu Castle.  edit

• Kagawa History Museum, 5-5 Tamamo-cho, ☎ 087-822-0002, [3]. Admission ¥400.  edit

• Takamatsu Tales of Heike Museum (平家物語歴史館), [4].  edit

Yashima

Ten minutes by train to the east is Yashima peninsula, famous as the site of the Battle of Yashima in the Genpei Wars. There are many sites and things to see in the area for those interested in the local history.

• Yashima Temple. Entrance is free.  edit

• Yashima Temple Museum.  edit

• New Yashima Aquarium, [5].  edit

• Shikoku Mura, [6]. An interesting open-air museum showing old houses collected from all around Shikoku. Inside the open-air museum there is a small art museum with works of Western artist including Pablo Picasso. The building has a nice garden with a nice panorama and was designed by Tadao Ando. adult: ¥800.  edit

• Yashima Shrine, ☎ 087-841-9475.  edit

• Tamamo Breakwater, (5 mins from Takamatsu station). The breakwater makes for a nice stroll at sunset, with an illuminated red lighthouse at the end.  edit

Do

There are two big festivals in Takamatsu. One is in summer, another is in winter.

In summer, they hold the “Sanuki Takamatsu Festival.” The first day is the opening; the second day is a fireworks festival; the last day is a dance festival. Visitors can enjoy the central park, the shopping arcade, and “Sanport.” It is in front of the Takamatsu station, and beside the sea.

In winter, the “Winter Festival” is held. People can see beautiful Christmas illuminations at the central park for a month. But it’s good for locals.

The Hyoge Festival is held on the second Sunday in September.

Buy

Takamatsu has an extremely long Shotengai (shopping arcade).

Eat

Takamatsu is famous for its Sanuki-Udon. The citizens of Kagawa are very proud of their Udon. The entertainment movie which made udon a theme was produced in 2006. Udon is a kind of noodles, and Sanuki-Udon is different from other udon. Wheat noodles are thick and chewy. Soup is clearer than other ones. The price is cheap; usually people can eat about 100 yen. There are over 700 udon restaurants in Kagawa, especially in Takamatsu. For eating around Sanuki-Udon, many tourists flock from all over Japan to Takamatsu.

A very nice udon restaurant is the tsurumaru (鶴丸), it's not far from kawaramachi station. Since it's quite famous, you can ask around and people will guide you. (it's open after 8pm).

Kitahama Alley, around 10 minutes along the seafront from Takamatsu station, is a hip new area of restaurants and shops in renovated dockland warehouses.

Sleep

There are cheap business hotels around Ritsurin-koen (double/twin room from around ¥7000).

The Golden Time Capsule Hotel is nice, 3000yen per night but men only.

• Takamatsu Century Hotel, ☎ 087-851-0559, [7]. checkin: 3:00 PM; checkout: 11:00 AM.  edit

• Sanukinoyu dormy Inn (さぬきの湯　ドーミーイン高松), 1-10-10, Kawara-machi (5 min. walk from Kotoden Kawaramachi station), ☎ +81-87-832-5489, [8]. checkin: 15h; checkout: 11h. A modern western-style hotel with a pleasant rotemburo (open-air bath) at the top. ¥10000 (double).  edit

Get out

Takamatsu is the main entry point for Shikoku and from here the entire island is your oyster.

• Kotohira, site of the famed Kompira Shrine, is an hour away by train.
• Marugame, the site of Marugame Castle, one of Japan's few remaining original castles.
• Mount Ishizuchi, the tallest peak in Shikoku, is about two hours away.
• Naoshima, a small island on Seto Inland Sea with superb contemporary art museums, is one hour away by boat.
• Tokushima, capital of Tokushima Prefecture, is most famous for its Awa Odori Festival.
• Kochi, is famous for the beautiful Kochi Castle, which is one of Japan's few remaining original castles.

Easy daytrips to the mainland:

• Okayama, home to the beautiful Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's top three gardens, as well as the beginning of the Kibiji District Trail
• Kurashiki, famous for the Bikan Historic District, one of Japan's largest and best preserved historic neighborhoods.
• Tsuyama A wonderful little town famous for Kakuzan Park, which contains the ruins of Tsuyama Castle and thousands of cherry blossoms within its precints, the historic Joto Street, and the beautiful Shurakuen Garden.

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Wikipedia has an article on:

Takamatsu

Wikipedia

Proper noun

Takamatsu

1. capital of Kagawa prefecture, Japan.

Translations