The first place, which you can reach in only 3 minutes from JR Takamatsu Station, is “The Ruins of Takamatsu Castle” a.k.a. “Tamamo Park.”

Takamatsu Castle is one of the “3 greatest Japanese Water castles” which were built facing towards the sea, and other 2 are Imabari Castle in Ehime and Nakatsu Castle in Oita.
Takamatsu castle is designated as a national historic site and also has been selected as one of “Japan’s 100 greatest castles.”

“Hiunkaku” which was built in the Taisho period is a National Important Culture Property.
This recommended spot is easy to access from the station, and you can feel the history of Takamatsu here.

>Takamatsu Castle, Setouchi: One of Japan’s “3 Greatest Water Castles”. (Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture)

You arrive at Kitahama alley area after about a10 minute walk from the ruins of Takamatsu Castle.
Maybe you can smell good food there, and you will find a shop you like if you follow the scent.

This store, “206 TSU MA MU,” specializes in quiche, which makes it a really rare type store in Japan.

Quiches here are mostly made with ingredients from Kagawa, and it should be noted the vegetables used are sourced from trusted farmers.
Also it is interesting that you can find unique quiches such as “Kamatama quiche” or “Sanuki mochi pork udon quiche,” which are two distinctive dishes made in Kagawa.
However, don’t worry and just enjoy having them, because these quiches are made the French style, and France is the home of quiche.

>206 TSU MA MU: The Creative Quiche Eatery That’s Unmistakably Sanuki!

“BOOK MARÜTE” is a small bookstore, and this store is also located in Kitahama alley.

The shop is small, but there are so many cute and stylish books in there.
It is obvious that the selection is great and carefully done with good taste.
Actually, the books sold at this store are mainly premium books which have a small circulation, so its unique lineup of books is a selling point.

There is a café space in the store, and you can have a coffee break inside.
I assume that you will be able to find a book here which you can’t get anywhere else.

BOOK MARÜTE
Kitahama alley-j, 3-2, Kitahama-cho, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa
http://book-marute.com

Now, why don’t we enjoy teatime right next to BOOK MARÜTE?

“umie” accepts all kinds of customers!
For example, you can enjoy reading a book with a freshly made coffee and a donut.
Or, it is fine to come with your friends and have some beer, wine and pizza while chatting.
The interior of this café is just like a collage of the owner’s favorite items, and the atmosphere is surprisingly comfortable.

Also, you can enjoy the view from the window, and see islands, ships, seagulls, clouds, sky, and so on….
Maybe it reminds you the scenery with a port which you have been forgetting.
This is another one of the charms of umie in this location.

>“umie”, A Café Where You Can Experience the Seto Inland Sea With All Five Senses!

Now, as night falls you return to the Takamatsu Station area.
Well, don’t forget one last bit of fun during a trip: having a special locally made drink!

“Beer Pub Station” in Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station serves you a unique beer which is made of the same wheat used for Udon noodles…!

At first, the location of this beer pub is very unique, as it stands “on”a platform in the station.
Of course, this is an unusual style in Japan.
Not only tourists, but also local businessmen stop by and enjoy beer here.

The beer made with udon wheat is “Craic Special Ale,” brewed with “Sanuki no Yume,” a kind of udon wheat developed in Kagawa Prefecture.
The label on the bottle features the Kotohira railway’s mascot character, “Koto-chan the dolphin.”
Let the cold beer ease your tired body of all that walking around!

>Try a Local Limited Edition Beer Made with Udon Wheat !!

How do you like the sightseeing spots near Takamatsu Station?
This area is the entrance of Kagawa Prefecture, but you can relax and enjoy your time around here with its location close to the sea.
If you have some spare time here, let’s go for a little walk!

Text by Megumi Yamada