After arriving at Takamatsu’s smiling Shikoku Smile Station, we kicked off our trip at Takamatsu Castle. The castle itself isn’t standing anymore, but you can still check out the foundations, a park, and some admin buildings. Right after that, we headed to Ritsurin Koen, one of Japan’s most beautiful landscape gardens. Our last stop was the 282-metre-high Yashima table mountain, which gives you an amazing view over Takamatsu. The Yashima Temple up there is the 84th of 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage route.

We actually wanted to go on a boat ride to Ogijima island and try the famous Sanuki Udon noodles, but the day went by way too fast.