When you hear the name ‘Takamatsu’, what does it conjure in your mind? I’m guessing not much, because who has ever heard of Takamatsu? Thanks to my research, I knew before arriving that it was the best place in Japan to eat udon noodles, and that it was conveniently located to catch a ferry to the islands in the inland sea (the body of water between Honshu and Shikoku). I ended up staying here for 5 nights and to my surprise, Takamatsu has become one of my favourite destinations in Japan.

Firstly, I was delighted to discover that the scenery around the city is stunning. Despite Shikoku’s relatively small size, it has incredibly dramatic landscapes that are really accessible. One of the absolute best views I’ve come across in Japan was from atop Mt Yashima. I had a whale of a time walking the trails around the mountain, getting superb views across the city and the sea. I discovered creepy abandoned buildings, a beautiful temple and came across tens of cats.

I managed to visit some cultural places too. The Shikoku Mura open air museum had a bit of everything. Samurai swords, traditional Japanese homes, a lighthouse, elaborate fountains, modern art and even a suitcase inside a giant glass bottle. What more could you ask for?

In addition, I went to the Ritsurin; one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens. And I loved it. I was fortunate to be here at the perfect time to view the orchids that were in full bloom. I stopped by the 17th century tea house for some green tea, and was lucky enough to witness a live performance of the Chinese harp and Japanese shamisen, two traditional string instruments. It was such a special experience to have.

One of the big ticket items I had to do while here was visit Naoshima, the most famous art island in the inland sea (I think there’s 3). An hour away by ferry from Takamatsu, I spent a day visiting many of the island’s galleries, which showcased interesting exhibitions from Yayoi Kasuma and architecture by Tadao Ando, among others. Some of the galleries prohibit photography which is a bummer, so I don’t have any pictures to show of the awesome Monet exhibition or Walter de Maria installation. Often the gallery buildings themselves were works of art, and the natural splendour of Naoshima was also incorporated into and highlighted by some pieces. Visiting here was definitely a rich and rewarding experience that I’d recommend to anyone and I’d gladly revisit; there was too much to see in just one day. Plus apparently neighbouring art island Teshima is even better according to some Americans I met.

The final thing I did here was take a day trip to some nearby towns to check out some attractions of note. This included Marugame Castle, where one can find Shikoku’s oldest surviving wooden keep and Zentsuji Temple, a temple founded by the father of Shintoism, Kobo-Daishi. Both were pleasant enough. I had grander aspirations for the day as there are lots of beautiful natural sites to see in the region but unfortunately the public transport round here is limited and getting to these places posed too great a challenge. I need to return with someone willing to drive me about. Any takers?