Overview
Eight covered shopping arcades run through central Takamatsu, with Kawaramachi beside their southern section and the city's main Kotoden transfer station. Takamatsu-Kawaramachi is the denser side of the center. Shopping, dinner, and local rail trips take priority over the ferry and JR connections of the waterfront.
Arcades and restaurant streets spread beyond the station. From here, Kotoden routes lead toward Ritsurin Garden and destinations across Kagawa.
What the area is known for
The connected arcades extend for a combined 2.7 kilometres. Shops and places to eat share the same covered network, so you can browse, stop for food, and keep walking when the weather turns. Restaurants and bars continue into the side streets, beyond the main shopping runs.
Ritsurin Garden is the clearest major sight from this side of town. Direct Kotoden trains run from Kawaramachi to Ritsurin-Koen Station, a simpler route than starting from the JR waterfront.
Stations and access
All three Kotoden lines meet at Kawaramachi Station. Trains on the Kotohira and Nagao lines continue north to Takamatsu-Chikko Station, while the Shido Line ends at Kawaramachi. This makes Kawaramachi the change point for Shido when arriving from the waterfront and the direct starting point for trips toward Ritsurin Garden and Kotohira.
The Takamatsu Airport limousine bus also stops at Kawaramachi. It's a bus connection, not airport rail, and the schedule changes with flight times. Confirm the current stop and departure time before setting out with luggage.
Where it fits in a trip
Staying around Kawaramachi keeps dinner, covered shopping, and Kotoden day trips close to the hotel. The Takamatsu Station Area is better when a JR train, ferry, or early sailing sets the day's schedule.
Good to know
Kawaramachi isn't a JR station. If your first or last leg is by ferry or JR train, allow time to return to the waterfront rather than treating the two station areas as a single hub.
