Takamatsu Trips & Tours

Kagawa's laid-back capital earns its keep as far more than a ferry terminal to the art islands. Ritsurin Garden, an exquisite stroll through 300-year old hand-pruned pines, is reason enough to linger and at its loveliest in the soft light just after the gates open at sunrise. From the port, boats slip across the Inland Sea to Naoshima, where Tadao Ando buried an entire museum underground to house five Monet Water Lilies in pure natural light, and to Teshima, home to what might be the most moving art space on the planet. Takamatsu is also proper udon country – Kagawa even rebranded itself the 'Udon Prefecture' and with 600-odd shops serving laden bowls, the only difficulty is choosing which queue to join before breakfast. Shodoshima island, a short ferry hop away, adds 400-year-old soy sauce breweries and olive groves to the mix. Delightful and delicious!