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Neighborhoods, culture & station routes

Kagawa — choose your neighborhood

Choose Takamatsu for gardens and history, Kotohira for shrine and theatre heritage, or Marugame for its castle. MIMOCA in Marugame is currently closed for renovation.

Before choosing a date

MIMOCA and its cafe are closed for renovation. Recheck the planned reopening date.

2026-06-29 — 2027-03-31 (planned end; reconfirm)

JR Takamatsu / Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko · before you set off

These are route patterns, not live itineraries. Check service destinations and operating days before departure. Walking times apply only to the named station-to-venue segment, not the whole district.

Takamatsu Gardens & History

A daimyo garden and Sanuki history

What to enjoy

Pair Ritsurin’s garden landscapes with Kagawa’s history, religious heritage and art at the Kagawa Museum in Tamamo-cho. These are separate sites, each with its own route from the station.

Museums & what to learn

Permanent venues, not festival dates. Displays and programs can change.

The Kagawa Museum

Explore regional history, the Takamatsu Matsudaira family, Kukai and art connected with Kagawa. The Kukai displays include carefully made reproductions.

Getting there: Takamatsu Gardens & History · route 1

Take a bus serving Ritsurin-koen-mae from Takamatsu Station stops 4 or 5. For the Shopping/Rainbow Loop, use the westbound service. Walk approximately 1 minute from the stop.

Getting there: Takamatsu Gardens & History · route 2

The museum is 900 metres east of JR Takamatsu Station; no walking duration is specified here.

Official sources & current conditionsChecked 2026-10-31. Routes are examples, not live journey results.

Kotohira Shrine Town

Shrine steps and historic theatre

What to enjoy

Explore the shrine approach and hillside steps, then learn about traditional theatre at Kanamaruza. A building visit is not a promise that a kabuki performance is taking place.

Museums & what to learn

Permanent venues, not festival dates. Displays and programs can change.

Kanamaruza Historic Theatre

Explore a historic theatre with manually operated stage machinery. Building visits may be suspended during performances or other events.

Getting there: Kotohira Shrine Town · route 1

Walk from JR Takamatsu to Takamatsu-Chikko and take a Kotoden Kotohira Line train bound for Kotoden-Kotohira. Walk approximately 20 minutes to Kanamaruza. Reaching the shrine’s main sanctuary is a separate stair climb.

Official sources & current conditionsChecked 2026-10-31. Routes are examples, not live journey results.

Marugame & Its Castle

Explore the castle; MIMOCA is closed

MIMOCA and its cafe are closed for renovation. Recheck the planned reopening date.

2026-06-29 — 2027-03-31 (planned end; reconfirm)

What to enjoy

Explore Marugame Castle’s stone walls and wooden keep. Station-side MIMOCA and its cafe are closed for renovation from June 29, 2026 to March 31, 2027 (planned).

Closed: Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art

Explore form and colour through Inokuma Genichiro’s work and changing contemporary-art exhibitions. Currently closed for renovation.

Getting there: Marugame & Its Castle · route 1

Take a JR Yosan Line service to Marugame, then walk approximately 15 minutes from the south exit to the castle site. Allow separately for the uphill approach to the keep.

Official sources & current conditionsChecked 2026-10-31. Routes are examples, not live journey results.