Why Takamatsu, Kagawa deserves a closer look
Question: when you think of travel in Japan, do Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka fill the map? 高松 (Takamatsu, city in 香川 (Kagawa, Kagawa Prefecture) Prefecture), the capital of Kagawa prefecture, has a population of around 420,000 people and acts as a gateway to islands, food, and historic gardens that don't show up on every itinerary. It's no wonder, because Kagawa is Japan's smallest prefecture by area yet big on flavours like Sanuki udon and art islands such as 直島 (Naoshima, art island).
Practical travel facts
For example, Takamatsu is reachable by JR trains (the Marine Liner from 岡山 (Okayama, city in Okayama Prefecture) takes about 50 to 60 minutes), by Takamatsu Airport with domestic flights, and by short ferries to nearby islands like Megijima and Ogijima. That's why staying here makes day trips to Naoshima, Teshima and the 瀬戸 (Seto, Seto; strait) Inland Sea islands simple, while still giving you city comforts.
Picture this: a morning at Ritsurin Garden followed by udon for lunch and an afternoon ferry ride, all without long travel days. Convinced yet?
The 3-minute tourism promotional video that sells Takamatsu
Fact: the promotional video clocks in at around three minutes and was released by the Takamatsu Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote regional tourism. You can watch the video directly on YouTube; it's titled 'Takamatsu 3-minute PR movie' and runs a compact, visual itinerary of highlights, linking food, nature and culture in under three minutes. Watch the video on YouTube.
Seriously though, the video uses quick cuts of Ritsurin Garden, Seto Inland Sea vistas, local festivals and close-ups of steaming Sanuki udon. The pacing makes it perfect as a travel teaser for social media or as a quick inspiration piece when you only have a coffee break. See what I mean?
Who made it and why it matters
The Takamatsu Convention & Visitors Bureau commissioned this short film as part of regional promotion efforts. Local bureaus like this one often craft concise videos to boost inbound and domestic tourism, and this example stands out because it frames Takamatsu as both an accessible hub and a launchpad to lesser-known attractions. My tip: watch it twice, once for visuals and once to note place names you want to research.
Using the video as a learning and planning tool
The first time I went to Japan, I learned more from short, visual promos than from long guidebook entries. Trust me on this one: a 3-minute video is fantastic for language learners and Japan fans because it lets you match words to images, especially if you pause to note vocabulary in romaji like sanuki udon, matsuri, onsen and ryokan. Pro tip: write the romaji down, then practice saying the phrases aloud to work on pronunciation.
Quick detour: pair the video with a map. Mark the Seto Inland Sea, Takamatsu Station, Ritsurin Garden and the ferry routes. That makes the short film practical instead of just pretty. What I especially like is that the editing focuses on everyday life in Takamatsu, not only tourist spots, which helps learners pick up casual vocabulary and context.
How to squeeze a Takamatsu trip into a short Japan itinerary
Direct address: if you only have 48 or 72 hours in Shikoku, plan one night in Takamatsu and use another day for island hopping. Highly recommended is a morning at Ritsurin Garden, lunch with Sanuki udon, and a sunset ferry ride. Insider tip: combine art island visits with local craft shops to practice asking questions in romaji. My verdict? Takamatsu is the perfect balance of convenience and local flavour for travellers who want to leave the standard route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the promotional video?
The official video runs about three minutes, designed as a short tourism teaser.
Can I use the video to plan a one-day itinerary?
Yes, it highlights key spots that can be combined into a compact one-day plan around Ritsurin Garden, downtown Takamatsu and nearby islands.
