Explore the city of Takamatsu

Japan possesses an incredibly rich and diverse tourism "gold mine." Many visitors are overwhelmed by the sheer number of fascinating destinations this East Asian country has to offer.

When visiting Japan, tourists should add Takamatsu, the capital of Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku Island, to their list of destinations.

The view from the summit of Mount Yashima.

Attractive "gifts"

Foreign tourists often fly to Kansai International Airport in Osaka and then take a bus called "Airport Limousine" to Takamatsu.

Many travelers departing from Tokyo often choose the "Sunrise Seto"—the last overnight train of the day. After a good night's sleep, travelers wake up just as the train passes under the Seto Ohashi Bridge at sunrise. The sight of the Seto Sea bathed in golden light is the first "gift" that Shikoku Island offers to visitors.

The landmarks in Takamatsu are quite far apart. Therefore, visitors should spend 100 yen to rent a bicycle for 24 hours and explore the city at their leisure.

The most famous destination in Takamatsu is Ritsurin Garden, a site recognized by the Japanese government as a National Treasure Garden in 1953. Ritsurin was originally a garden reserved for feudal lords and officials during the Edo period in Sanuki (now a city in Kagawa Prefecture) and Satsuma Prefecture.

This garden has existed for nearly 300 years and continues to amaze visitors with its perfect beauty. Structures within the garden, such as the Engetsu-kyō bridge (a symbol of Ritsurin), the Okedoi-no-Taki waterfall, and the lotus pond, will captivate visitors, making them reluctant to leave. Ritsurin Garden also houses a folk crafts museum, a restaurant, and three tea houses. Many tourists choose to participate in a Japanese tea ceremony amidst the garden's picturesque setting.

Mount Yashima in the Yashima district east of the city is another popular destination. The mountain is a "historical witness" to the Battle of Yashima (March 22, 1185), one of the fiercest and most famous battles in Japanese history. The name of the national hero Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) is associated with the victory at the Battle of Yashima. Many landmarks related to the battle still exist at the foot of the mountain, such as Chinoike Pond (also known as the Pond of Blood in Hell), said to be where Minamoto washed his sword after the battle.

Perched atop Mount Yashima is Yashima Temple, the 84th of the 88 most famous temples on Shikoku Island. Pilgrims visit the temple to pray for liberation, while tourists come to see this national historical site. After visiting the temple, visitors often buy a porcelain plate and throw it into the sea from the mountaintop. Legend says that generals under Minamoto no Yoshitsune, after winning battles, threw blood-stained pieces of their headscarves into the sea in this way.

Not far from Mount Yashima is Takamatsu Port. Tourists often come here to stroll along the embankments at sunset. The famous Setoshirube Lighthouse is located on a pier in Takamatsu Port. Setoshirube is built entirely of red glass. Whenever the lighthouse is lit at night, the entire tower glows, creating a magical sight.

Sweet and cheerful

Takamatsu still has many old commercial streets called shōtengai, such as Marugame-machi, Katahara-machi, and Hyōgo-machi. Many shops on these streets are several hundred years old. Tourists can easily find souvenirs here.

Notable items include Sanuki Chochin lanterns purchased by pilgrims to offer at temples, vases and jars made from Aji granite quarried on the outskirts of the city, handmade Temari spheres, and wasanbon sugar. Wasanbon sugar, in particular, is a famous specialty because of its small, fine granules, making it ideal as an ingredient for high-end Japanese confectionery.

Takamatsu is also famous for its nickname, "Udon City." Udon is the general name for wheat noodles. Few places in Japan have as many varieties of udon as Takamatsu. Every street corner in Takamatsu has udon shops selling types of noodles such as sanuki udon (chewy noodles - a specialty of Kagawa), kamatama udon (soft-boiled egg noodles), etc. Udon noodles are very cheap; even the most expensive bowl doesn't cost more than 1,000 yen, making it suitable for budget-conscious tourists.

When it comes to festivals in Takamatsu, two traditional festivals are the most famous. The first is the Sanuki Festival, held annually from August 12th to 14th, coinciding with Obon (similar to our Ghost Festival). The highlight of the first day of the Sanuki Festival is the fireworks display, while the second day is dedicated to locals dressing up as dancers and performing the traditional Yosakoi dance in the streets. People also set up food and craft stalls in parks and other public places.

The second most famous traditional festival is the Hyōge Festival, which takes place on the second Sunday of September. During the Edo period, a samurai named Yanobe Heiroku dug the Shin-ike Pond in the Asano district (Takamatsu City). Thanks to this artificial pond, the local people no longer feared drought. They established the Hyōge Festival to commemorate Yanobe's contribution and to pray for a bountiful harvest.

Festival participants dress in colorful costumes, paint their faces with funny pictures, and dance energetically in the streets. The goal of the festival is for everyone to become a clown. There's also a procession of a shrine float stretching about 2km to Shin-ike Lake, where both the people and the float jump into the water. This bizarre and funny scene adds to the festive atmosphere, making it even more joyful and attracting a large number of locals and tourists.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/kham-pha-thanh-pho-takamatsu-695970.html