Top 15 Photo Spots in Kagawa!

2020.12.21

Naoshima Island is the "holy land" of modern art, where visitors come from all over the world. As you approach the island’s port of Miyanoura, the Red Pumpkin will appear in front of your eyes - one of the prefecture’s emblematic artworks, which you will definitely want to visit if you come to Naoshima or Kagawa. Seeing it will make your trip here unforgettable and one-of-a-kind.

■ Address: 2249-49 Miyanoura, Naoshima, Kagawa
■ Hours: n/a (outdoor installation)
■ Closed: open all year round

“Red Pumpkin” ©Yayoi Kusama,2006 Naoshima Miyanoura Port Square
 

Chichibugama Beach has recently gained popularity as a place to take photos where the sky is reflected like a mirror.
Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Sunsets, don't miss the sight of the evening sun setting into the Seto Inland Sea. Requirements for the best photos are: 1) a low tide and sunset that coincide, 2) no wind and calm seas, and  3) visiting during the "magic hour" 30 minutes before and after sunset. Enjoy how the scenery changes with the weather or clouds, and take a fantastical photo.

■ Address: 203-3 Nio-otsu, Niocho, Mitoyo, Kagawa
■ Hours: n/a
■ Closed: open all year round

Two thousand olive trees blanket the hills surrounding this michi-no-eki roadside station on Shodoshima Island. Here you can take a picture of yourself flying on a broomstick atop a small hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, next to a white Greek windmill. You can't help but snap a picture at this photogenic spot!

■ Address: 1941-1 Nishimura, Shodoshima, Kagawa
■ Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
■ Closed: open all year round

The city of Kan-onji has long revered the Takayajinja Shrine. From the main shrine at a height of 404 meters, look out on the prefecture and the beautiful Seto Inland Sea all at once. The torii gate at the main shrine, known as the Skyview Torii Gate, was selected as one of Shikoku’s 88 Views for capturing the scenery of the island.

■ Address: 2800 Takayacho, Kan-onji, Kagawa
　*Personal vehicles are sometimes prohibited. Please check the website beforehand.
      GPS directions may be incorrect, so please use directions posted on the website.
■ Hours: n/a
■ Closed: open all year round

Ritsurin Garden is the largest cultural treasure garden in Japan to be designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Here, enjoy one thousand picturesque pine trees, as well as scenery that changes with the seasons?cherry blossoms in the spring or colorful leaves in the fall.
Take in a different view than what you can see during the daytime at the nighttime illumination events, which take place for the cherry blossoms and fall foliage.
For a photo spot, we recommend Hiraiho Hill, the best spot in the garden that offers views of the garden’s one-of-a-kind landscape.

■ Address: 1-20-16 Ritsurincho, Takamatsu, Kagawa
■ Hours: approximately sunrise to sunset (hours vary based on season)
■ Closed: open all year round

This roof-shaped mountain next to the city of Takamatsu is popular for its scenery and as a nighttime photo spot.
From the summit, look out on the city’s downtown and the myriad islands of the Seto Inland Sea, including Ogijima and Megijima. For photo spots at Mt. Yashima, we recommend taking a picture at Yukakutei, which looks out on the Seto Inland Sea, or the Shishi-no-Reigan Observation Deck from which you can see the setting sun.

■ Address: Mt. Yashima summit; Takamatsu, Kagawa
■ Hours: summit parking lot 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
　　　　*Dec. 31: 6:30 a.m.-12 a.m., Jan. 1: 12 a.m.-10 p.m.
■ Closed: open all year round

On Shodoshima Island is Japan’s one and only Kankakei Gorge, with views of sky, sea, and canyon, and an island ropeway. With each changing season, the island and the gorge show a new face and new scenery. In fall especially, people come from all over the prefecture for the best place to see colorful autumn leaves.
There are plenty of great photo spots around the top of the mountain, but the best spots are the Takatori Observation Deck, which has been a movie shooting location, and the heart-shaped Heart Pine Bench. In autumn, we recommend snapping a pic with some local cider made with maple leaf extract.

■ Address: (summit) Sancho Station: 168 Kankakedori, Shodoshima, Kagawa
　　　　　　(base) Koun Station: 327-1 Kankakedori, Shodoshima, Kagawa
■ Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. *varies by season
■ Closed: open all year round
 

This giant sand coin, drawn in the shape of a Japanese coin used long ago, is said to have been completed in a single night about 400 years ago.
The gigantic sand sculpture is a sight to behold, measuring 122 meters from north to south and 90 meters from east to west, with a circumference of 345 meters. This unique place will be a memory of your time in Kagawa. In addition, this is a so-called “power spot,” where those look at the coin will live a long and healthy life and not lack for money.

■ Address: 12 Ariakecho, Kan-onji, Kagawa
■ Hours: open 24 hours
■ Closed: open all year round

The Seto Ohashi Commemorative Park lies at the base of the Seto Ohashi Bridge, which connects Kagawa and Okayama Prefectures. From the park, view one of the longest combined road-rail bridges in the world. Photo spots abound, including the Seto Ohashi Bridge Tower which offers 360-degree, panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea, and artworks from the Setouchi Triennale art festival.
The best photo spot is at the art installation Love Nine-legged race, Love with the bridge in the background.

■ Address: 6-13 Bannosumidoricho, Sakaide, Kagawa
■ Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
■ Closed: Mondays

Flowers and nature that change with the seasons grace the spacious grounds of this beautiful park. In winter, many people come to see a fantastical world of light at the annual illumination event.
Our recommended photo spot is at Hana-meguri Square. In spring, enjoy baby blue eyes blanketing the slopes like an azure carpet; from summer through autumn, the kochia bushes that dot the hillside gradually change from vivid green to a deep red. You can’t go wrong with a photo of yourself among the flowers.

■ Address: 4243-12 Yoshino, Manno, Kagawa
■ 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
*Hours vary by season (open at night for illumination event)
■ Closed: Tuesdays
*If Tuesday is a holiday, then closed the following day instead. If Wednesday is a holiday, then open on Tuesday as well.
*Open every day for the following periods:
March 20-May 31, July 20-Aug. 31, Sept. 11-Oct. 31

Enjoy Japan’s historic townscapes in Hiketa. At the Izutsu Residence, the restored home of a longtime sake brewer and soy sauce maker, you can try making Kagawa’s traditional confection which uses high-quality traditional Wasanbon Sugar, or other activities.
The entire area is a historic Japanese townscape, and will be a memorable part of your trip to Kagawa. For the best photos, visit the Izutsu Residence or the Kamebishi Soy Sauce factory behind it, which is famous for its red walls.

■ 2163 Hiketa, Higashikagawa, Kagawa
■ Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (main house)　*Hours and closing days vary by shop.
■ Closed: Wednesdays (open if holiday)

Kagawa is synonymous with an island trip to Naoshima, Shodoshima, Teshima, or elsewhere. For a memorable photo of your island adventure, stop by Takamatsu Port?the gateway to the inland sea and its numerous islands.
The artwork Liminal Air ?core? at the port debuted for the Setouchi Triennale art festival, and pictures of the work often symbolize the Triennale. We recommend it as a photo spot.

■ Address: 8 Sunport, Takamatsu, Kagawa
■ Hours: open 24 hours
■ Closed: open all year round

Shinji Ohmaki: Liminal Air - core -

A place to relax and surround yourself with beautiful nature to your heart’s content?sea, sky, and mountains. Gaze out on the Seto Inland Sea from the park, where you can find a winery, outdoor music venue, and more. On holidays, the park comes alive with families enjoying the abundant nature.
We recommend the outdoor music venue Theatron, the biggest venue in Shikoku and western Honshu, for a photo. The greenery of the peninsula and the blue sea and sky are fresh and vivid amid the white stones that feel like a shrine.

■ Address: Ogushi, Oda, or Kabe; Sanuki, Kagawa
■ Hours: open 24 hours
■ Closed: open all year round

Among the artworks found in Kagawa, a particularly unique one that captures the prefecture is Regent in Olives. The olive-shaped sculpture installed among Kagawa’s famous olive trees sports a striking pompadour or Elvis hairstyle. Have fun taking pictures different ways, such as mimicking the hairstyle.

■ Address: Soy Sauce Village area; Shodoshima, Kagawa
■ Hours: n/a (outdoor installation)
■ Closed: open all year round
Hisakazu Shimizu: Regent in Olives

Takamatsu Airport is Kagawa’s gateway to the sky. Here in the “udon prefecture,” try udon noodle broth straight from a tap at the airport. The broth’s unique and clean flavor comes from iriko sardines, another Kagawa specialty.
Take a photo to remember your trip to Kagawa and the island of Shikoku in front of the 
one-of-a-kind udon noodle broth tap!

■ Address: 1312-7 Konancho-oka, Takamatsu, Kagawa
■ Hours: Information Center 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 p.m. (until last flight arrives)
■ Closed: open all year round