When talking about Kagawa, for most people udon noodles first spring to mind. The area does, however, have other highlights!

With sights recommended by local photo-writers, let’s experience Kagawa sightseeing from an art point of view.

1. First, Let's Head to the Roots of the Arts Prefecture, The Kagawa Prefectural Government Office East Building!

In recent years Kagawa has been promoting itself as an "Artistic Prefecture" through various activities. But why art? The answer is to be found at the Kagawa Prefectural Office East Building

Politics and art are the same! Both must be dedicated to enriching people’s minds.

"Politics are design" by Masanori Kaneko.

The Kagawa Prefectural Government Office's East Building is actually related to first-rate creators. Along with the building itself being a piece of fabulous art, the various works of art it contains and the events held in its courtyard means that it functions both as a prefectural office and as an art center.

https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/550 (Dedicated article)

2. Naoshima : Enjoy a Collaboration Between Modern Art & Nature

Ferries to Naoshima Island leave from both sides of the sea: from Uno harbor, located in Tamano city, Okayama prefecture, and from Takamatsu harbor in Takamatsu city, Kagawa prefecture. The time required for the trip is about 20 minutes from Uno port and 50 minutes from Takamatsu port.

With a total area of 14.22 km² and a population of around 3200, Naoshima, the Seto Inland Sea’s ‘island of art’ is located in northern Kagawa prefecture. Despite being small, it's famous for being dotted throughout with works of art.

Naoshima is particularly well known for Yayoi Kusama’s “Pumpkin”, but there are many more highlights in store!

https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/570 (Dedicated article)

3. After Enjoying Some Art, Why Not Head to a Nostalgic Café in a Traditional Japanese House?

In the Honmura District of Naoshima Island, old traditional Japanese houses with charred wood and white lime plaster walls give the area a nostalgic elegance.

Perfect for taking a break during an art tour, there are several cozy cafés in the area located in such renovated traditional Japanese houses.

From among those establishments, we’ d like to introduce the perfect hidden café where you can spend some relaxing island time.

Naoshima Island is known for its art, but actually the townscape is chic, too!

https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/565 (Dedicated article)

4. Making Dried Sweets from First-Rate Wasanbon Sugar!

Produced using traditional methods and only in east Shikoku, wasanbon is a type of high quality refined sugar.

There are courses available for making dried sweets from wasanbon sugar.

Make your own cute and delicious souvenirs in no time – Perfect for a trip with the girls!

https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/558 (Dedicated article)

5. Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA)

Known locally as Inokuma-san, the artist Genichiro Inokuma (1902-1993) chose this location to bring art museums to everyday life.

You may have seen this form on the wrapping paper of Mitsukoshi department store! Coasters using one part of the design are used in the museum café.

"An art museum is a place where one can come into contact with good things."

This is the perfect spot for experiencing that feeling.

https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/437 (Dedicated article)

6. Morikuni Shuzo, Shodoshima Island's Only Brewery

"Fuwafuwa", "Fufufu", "Utouto", "Pipipi".

These gentle words are all sake brands! How about visiting Shodoshima Island’s only brewery, Morikuni Shuzo?

Right next to the brewery at "Morikuni Shuzo Forest Gallery", there is a gallery & café-bar located in a 70-year old renovated tsukudani workshop.

At the 1st floor bar, you can enjoy sake while listening to the master explain its special characteristics and ways to drink it.

In recent years, sake has gained popularity even among women – These kinds of cute labels are irresistible, aren't they?

How about taking some home as souvenirs?

7. Located in Takamatsu, umie is a Café You'll Experience with All Five Senses

The moment you open the door, the view of the Seto Inland Sea from the window stands out almost like a painting. When the owner, who is also a designer, saw the view for first time, she fell in love – she wanted to work in a place where she could see the sea.

After Hidemi and Masako Inoue, a couple from Inoue Commercial Space Planning, a local design company, laid their eyes on the abandoned storage area from the city's bustling past, they decided to redesign it as a place where people could gather. In 2000, the birth of Kitahama Alley began with a colorful range of owners opening shops one after another.

A truly comfortable space on the second floor of an old cereal storage building covered with rusty zinc, umie café is to be found among a great variety of shops at Kitahama Alley!

Flipping through an art book or photograph collection, you can enjoy freshly made coffee and delicious dishes to your heart's content.

As live music performances by artists of various genres are held regularly, do check the schedule when planning your visit.

https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/537 (Dedicated article)

So, what do you think?

‘Kagawa = Udon noodles’ is not nearly the whole truth! The new Kagawa can be enjoyed from an artistic point of view as well.

How about experiencing it for yourself??

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