Kagawa Takamatsu | Gateway to Shikoku
Takamatsu, facing the Seto Inland Sea, is the capital of Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture. It is the centre of the administration, economy and culture of Shikoku. The city's port used to be the main entry point to Shikoku Island until the opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge in 1988. For many visitors Takamatsu is the gateway to Shikoku; the large, breezily modern city on the northern coast is major transport hub roads, rail and ferry traffics from Honshu across Shikoku Island. Takamatsu is home to Japan's largest garden, Ritsurin-koen. Ritsurin-koen is a fine example of landscaping, borrowing the pine-clad scenery of Shuin-zan and blending chestnut trees, lotus ponds, arching red bridges and artificial islands. Another attraction is Yashima, a 293-meter high lava plateau that juts out into the Seto Inland Sea. It is situated at the Bisan-Seto area, famous for its beautiful scenic view of the islands, and commands the best view of the Seto Inland Sea. The view from the top is magnificent and attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the sunset or the night view of Takamatsu.