Kagawa Prefecture occupies the northeastern tip of Shikoku island, separated from the Chugoku region by the tranquil Seto Inland Sea. Japan's smallest prefecture by area is famous far beyond its modest geography: Sanuki udon noodles are practically a regional religion, the 785-step climb to Kotohira-gu Shrine is a pilgrimage milestone, Ritsurin Garden ranks among Japan's most beautiful stroll-style parks, and the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima have made this quiet sea route an international contemporary-art destination.
Kagawa is known throughout Japan as 'Udon Prefecture' (Udon-ken) — the per capita consumption of udon noodles here is the highest in the country. Sanuki udon, named for the historical name for Kagawa, is characterized by thick, firm, chewy noodles served in various styles from scalding kamaage (boiled in the pot) to cold bukake (cold dashi broth poured over). Beyond udon, Kagawa cuisine features Seto Inland Sea seafood (sea bream, flounder, octopus, clams), Sanuki Olive Beef (wagyu cattle raised on olive mash), Shodoshima somen noodles, soy sauce from Shodoshima, and local Sanuki confectioneries.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Wara-ya
Wara-ya occupies a large thatched-roof farmhouse relocated into the Shikoku Mura open-air museum on the slopes below Yashima, so you eat udon inside a genuine Edo-period building with an irori hearth and dark timber beams rather than in a purpose-built restaurant. The udon is boiled to order and served in the traditional wooden bucket (kamaage style), with the broth on the side so the noodles stay firm. Seating is on tatami around low tables, and the smoky, aged-wood interior is as much the draw as the food.
Known for: Traditional Sanuki udon in a 200-year-old grist mill; visitors grind their own flour
91 Yashimanishimachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0113 (inside Shikoku Mura)
Yamashiro Udon
Popular Sanuki Udon restaurant in Kagawa.
Known for: Classic neighborhood udon shop; self-service counter with noodle customization
8-19 Hyogomachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0025
Udon Shin
Popular Sanuki Udon restaurant in Kagawa.
Known for: Popular local shop in the shopping arcade district; efficient counter service
2-3-2 Marugame-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0054
Kanaizumi
Popular Japanese Kaiseki restaurant in Kagawa.
Known for: Refined Kyoto-style kaiseki using Seto Inland Sea seafood and Kagawa local produce
1-7-4 Konyamachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0027
Sushidokoro Makoto
Popular Sushi / Seafood restaurant in Kagawa.
Known for: Counter-style sushi with emphasis on Seto Inland Sea seasonal fish; owner-chef trained in Osaka
3-7-15 Tokiwamachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0028
Hinode Udon
Popular Sanuki Udon restaurant in Kagawa.
Known for: Historic udon shop at the base of Konpira-san steps; popular with pilgrims since morning
Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa 766-0001 (near Konpira-san steps)
Udon Baka Ichi
Popular Sanuki Udon restaurant in Kagawa.
Known for: Opens at 6 am for breakfast udon; locally famous for exceptionally tender noodles
2-10-26 Suehirocho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0024
Tamura Udon (Obori Udon Tamura)
Popular Sanuki Udon restaurant in Kagawa.
Known for: Generations-old shop near Zentsuji Temple; noodles made fresh each morning
1-1-1 Zentsuji-cho, Zentsuji, Kagawa 765-0031
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Japanese
Seaside Kitchen Mimosa (Naoshima)
Known for: Relaxed harbor-front dining on Naoshima; fresh catch from local fishermen
2249-22 Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa 761-3110
Olive no Sono Restaurant (Shodoshima)
Known for: On the grounds of Shodoshima Olive Park; every dish features local olive oil harvested on the island
1941 Nishimura Koi, Tonosho-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa 761-4421
Kikugetsu-tei Teahouse (Ritsurin Garden)
This is the historic teahouse pavilion set beside the South Lake in Ritsurin Garden, one of the former Matsudaira daimyo family's strolling gardens. Visitors sit on tatami at low tables facing the water and pines, and are served a bowl of whisked matcha alongside a seasonal wagashi by staff in the traditional manner. The building itself, with its wooden verandas opening directly onto the pond, is as much the point as the tea.
Known for: One of Japan's most photogenic teahouses sitting on a peninsula over the southern pond of Ritsurin Garden
1-20-16 Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0073 (inside garden)
Gotouchi Burger Sanuki Olive Beef
Known for: Specialty burgers featuring Kagawa's premium Olive Beef — cattle raised on olive mash from Shodoshima
4-12 Konyamachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0027
Kappo Ichirin
Known for: Intimate counter dining with the chef cooking in front of guests; emphasis on seasonal Kagawa ingredients
5-6 Nakamachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0028
Markt Kitchen (Takamatsu Fish Market Food Hall)
Known for: Takamatsu's wholesale fish market with attached eating area; the freshest Seto Inland Sea catch at market price
3 Chome-10-10 Tsurushimachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0019
Café Salon Naka-Oku (Naoshima)
Known for: Tucked into Honmura village amid the Art House Project sites; ideal rest spot between galleries
Honmura, Naoshima-cho, Kagawa-gun, Kagawa 761-3110
Izakaya Sakura Takamatsu
Known for: Affordable neighborhood izakaya in the Kawara-machi bar district; local sake and shochu selection alongside standard izakaya fare
3-8 Kawara-machi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0028
Sanuki Olive Beef Steak Hayashiya
Known for: Specializes in Sanuki Olive Beef — a wagyu breed unique to Kagawa, raised on spent olive mash from Shodoshima
2-12-5 Hyogomachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0025
Sanuki Udon
Tenkatsu Udon
Known for: Famous western Kagawa udon destination; notable for chewy hand-cut noodles and cheap early breakfasts
1-chome Minami-cho, Kanonji, Kagawa 768-0067
Yamamotoya Udon
Known for: Old-school early-morning udon shop near Takamatsu Station popular with locals before work
3-14-11 Kajiyanomachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0023
Mori Udon
Known for: Widely regarded as one of western Kagawa's best udon; extremely cheap, extremely good; a pilgrimage for udon enthusiasts
Mitoyo, Kagawa 769-1614 (30 min from Takamatsu by train)
Soba
Soba Dokoro Tsuruya
Known for: One of few dedicated soba restaurants in Takamatsu; handmade noodles with organic buckwheat
10-22 Tokiwamachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0028
Somen
Marukan Somen (Shodoshima)
Known for: Shodoshima is Japan's top somen-producing region; nagashi somen experience unique in summer
Tonosho-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa 761-4121
Tori
Tori-Gin Marugame
Known for: Marugame specialty: tori-suki hot pot unique to Kagawa; broth finished with udon noodles
1-chome Hama-cho, Marugame, Kagawa 763-0021
Unagi
Funaoka Unagi-ya
Known for: One of Takamatsu's best-regarded eel specialists; charcoal-grilled unagi in classic style
7-3 Kajiyanomachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0023
Yakitori
Toriton Takamatsu
Known for: Popular yakitori izakaya in the nightlife district; lively atmosphere with local craft beer
5-21 Hyogomachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-0025
Food tours & tastings in Kagawa
Eat your way through Kagawa with a guide.
Browse food experiences in KagawaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Takamatsu Central Wholesale Fish Market
Hours: 7:00 am–noon daily (retail section)
Kyomachi Shopping Arcade Street Food
Hours: 10:00 am–8:00 pm
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Many udon shops open 6–7 am and close by noon when noodles sell out — plan a morning udon breakfast
Tipping is not practiced in Japan; a tip may embarrass staff rather than thank them
Most udon shops are cash-only; carry ¥500–1,000 coins and small bills
Book fine-dining and kaiseki restaurants via Tabelog (tabelog.com) — many do not have English phone booking
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |