Ritsurin Park

JR electronic tickets are convenient, eliminating the need to exchange physical tickets. There's a wide selection of days, allowing you to customize your itinerary to create a journey that suits your preferences. Since the fastest train in Shikoku is the Limited Express, you can bring luggage larger than 20 inches without additional procedures. Even during peak travel season, I didn't need to reserve tickets, and there were always enough empty seats, including on the Kotoden (Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad) and the ferry to Shodoshima. Be sure to take full advantage of it. I bought a 7-day pass and a 3-day pass, playing for a total of 12 days, which was enough for me to roughly travel around Shikoku for a week, going from Takamatsu to Tokushima, Tokushima to Kochi, Kochi to Matsuyama. From Matsuyama, I conveniently visited Dogo Onsen and Ozu, then returned to Takamatsu to visit Naoshima, Shodoshima, and the Kotoden area. Make sure to find time to visit Aeon to buy souvenirs; Aeon is harder to find than Ritsurin Garden. The tax refund service counter closes at 7 PM; their pace is slow, so remember to set aside time to buy souvenirs. Tax-free shops are not common in Shikoku, and I didn't encounter any drugstores that offered it. In Takamatsu and Tokushima, stores close a bit early; many close at 8 PM, except for one or two ramen shops or izakayas. It's worth mentioning that the trains in Shikoku feature different cartoon characters; if you encounter them, remember to take photos and compare them, as each is unique. Overall, 12 days was too short. I wasn't able to take a boat in Naruto to see the whirlpools (which requires a high tide), and I haven't set foot in Oboke and Koboke. There are many remote islands I haven't visited, and I couldn't find the time to go to Imabari. Most importantly, the Awa Odori Festival is not to be missed. I will definitely visit Shikoku again; its tranquility and slow pace are very appealing.

Super convenient! Worth buying! It was my first time visiting Shikoku, and I bought the 5-day pass. I traveled from Takamatsu to Matsuyama Dogo Onsen and enjoyed Uwajima sea bream rice. At Kochi's Hirome Market, I savored seared bonito. I also visited Tokushima to see the Naruto whirlpools, the Angel Road on Shodoshima, Ritsurin Garden, and Kotohira's Kotohiragu Shrine (besides JR, you can also take the Kotoden to Kotohira, which is super convenient and passes by Ritsurin Garden). This pass pretty much covered all my transportation costs this time (except for the bus from Naruto Station to Uzunomichi). I could ride JR local trains, limited express trains, and Matsuyama Kochi streetcars as much as I wanted. This 5-day pass covered about 31,000 yen worth of travel, definitely worth the money and saved me some!

Located a somewhat inconvenient 20-minute walk from Takamatsu Station, or a 7-8 minute walk after a one-stop train ride. This hotel isn't really geared towards tourists, but rather is a typical business hotel for Japanese business travelers or group tours (sports teams). The staff at the front desk are mostly middle-aged, so communication beyond basic English is difficult, and they don't provide detailed information about the hotel. They offer free curry, udon, or rice bowls in the evening. You'll need to grab your own gowns, conditioner, and razors from the right side of the desk. The location is a bit awkward, but I'm willing to stay at this hotel again. First of all, the price is unbeatable, and there are many great udon restaurants, izakayas, and other good places around the nearby station. And one train stop is nothing to worry about.

Using the 7-day pass for all four regions of Shikoku was worth it! The train fares would have exceeded 20,000 yen, so it's a great deal 👍

The exchange waiting time is approximately 15-20 minutes. There weren't many tourists waiting at the green window at 5 PM. The JR staff can communicate in English. For an additional 1200 yen per person, you can upgrade to 4 reserved seats. It's not recommended to exchange tickets in the morning due to long queues. The ticket is highly recommended as it can save you a significant amount on travel expenses.

The hotel is conveniently located on top of a lively shopping street, making it easy to find a place to eat even when returning late. We stayed in a standard twin room, which had plenty of space for our family of two adults and one child. We drove, and parking was JPY 1,200 per night.

Everything from the experience, the staff, the food, the location, we’re all amazing! I was initially a bit worried since there weren’t many reviews on Klook for this, but everything worked out without an issue after booking. I was welcomed warmly and cheerfully by the staff, the lesson was fun and chill, the instructor tried her best with English instructions and tried making some simple conversations. Pictures and videos are allowed, they’ll give you a plastic apron and gloves after you change into slippers so most of your clothes won’t get covered in flour. you get to take the rolling pin and a certificate home which they give you a plastic bag for. you can also choose to take home the udon you made but it must be eaten on the same day. they will combine everyone’s udon and make it as part of the meal you booked, offering a balanced set meal with both cold and hot udon bowls. All in all this was so fun and worth it. Made my day in Takamatsu worth it. side note: call them for singles

I stayed one night at the Daiwa Roynet Hotel Takamatsu. Its location near JR Takamatsu Station and the shopping district made it convenient for transportation and shopping. The room was generally clean and well-equipped with the necessary amenities, making my stay comfortable. However, I noticed a faint cigarette smell in the non-smoking room I was initially assigned, and upon request to the front desk, the staff very kindly changed my room immediately. Thanks to their quick response, I was able to enjoy my stay. The bedding was cozy and the soundproofing was decent, allowing me to rest comfortably. There were also plenty of bathroom amenities provided. Overall, it was a hotel with high satisfaction for the price, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Takamatsu who wants both accessibility and comfort.