Takamatsu
Capital of Kagawa Prefecture and largest city on Shikoku.
Takamatsu is the capital city of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, located on the island of Shikoku. It is the largest municipality in Shikoku and serves as a major transportation hub, with its port historically acting as a gateway for pilgrims to Kotohira Shrine and as a focal point for rail and road transit. The city is known for its role in the Genpei War, specifically the Battle of Yashima, and for its recovery after extensive destruction during World War II.
- population_density
- 1,100 persons per km2
- capital_of
- Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
- known_for
- Battle of Yashima, Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu Castle, Setouchi Triennale
Lore & Background
Takamatsu was part of ancient Sanuki Province and, during the Heian and Kamakura periods, became a transportation center due to its proximity to Honshu.
Reader's Guide
Takamatsu's significance lies in its role as the political, economic, and cultural center of Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku. It houses most of the national government's branch offices for Shikoku and is the base for companies such as Shikoku Railway Company, Shikoku Shimbun, and Tadano.
Did You Know?
- The Shinwa-kai yakuza syndicate, the only designated yakuza group based in Shikoku, is headquartered in Takamatsu.
- Takamatsu is the main setting for Haruki Murakami's novel 'Kafka on the Shore'.
- The city's Yashima plateau was the site of the Battle of Yashima during the Genpei War.
More in Asian Cities 1-24
Elsewhere in the Asian Cities universe
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