Marugame
©
Marugame

Marugame

Small Kagawa city on Shikoku, known for its original hilltop castle and traditional uchiwa fans.

Marugame is a small city in Kagawa prefecture on Shikoku, the first city of note as you cross the Seto-Ohashi bridge from Honshu. It is primarily known for two things: its castle and its fans.

Marugame Castle is one of Shikoku's four original castles — the keep dates from 1660 and sits on a hill above the city with views across the Seto Inland Sea. The stone walls below it, rising in a dramatic fan curve, are among the finest castle stone-works in Japan. The city also produces about 90% of Japan's uchiwa (round fans), a tradition celebrated at the Uchiwa-no-Minato Museum in the port area. Above the station, MIMOCA — designed by Tange Kenzo — houses the major collection of Marugame-born painter Genichiro Inokuma. Marugame is within 30 minutes of Takamatsu by train and less than 45 minutes by rail from Okayama across the Inland Sea.

Guide

Eating Out

Kagawa Prefecture is famous throughout Japan for sanuki udon — thick, chewy wheat noodles served hot or cold, in broth or with dipping sauce. Marugame has a concentration of udon shops that range from stand-up counter restaurants aimed at workers to more formal settings. The local chain Marugame Seimen takes its name from the city (though it is now a national chain headquartered elsewhere), and the original local shops are often better.

The Seto Inland Sea location means fresh seafood is available year-round. Tai (sea bream) and octopus are the local specialties; look for restaurants near the port that post handwritten daily menus. The covered arcade shopping street near the station has a mix of local lunch spots and the usual Japanese convenience options.

Guide

Getting Around

Marugame's three main sights — the castle, MIMOCA, and the Uchiwa-no-Minato Museum — are all within easy walking distance of the station. The castle is a 10-minute walk southeast. MIMOCA is directly above the station. The Uchiwa museum is about 15 minutes' walk west toward the port.

A bicycle is a pleasant way to explore the city if you have more than a few hours. Rental bikes are available near the station. The surrounding flatlands and coastline make for easy cycling, and Shikoku's cycling infrastructure has improved significantly since the Seto Inland Sea cycling route was promoted as an international tourist destination.

Guide

Getting There

Marugame is on the JR Yosan Line, which runs along the northern coast of Shikoku between Takamatsu and Matsuyama. Express trains from Takamatsu take 30 minutes; local trains take slightly longer. From Okayama on Honshu, limited-express trains cross the Seto-Ohashi bridge and stop at Marugame in about 40 minutes — Marugame is the first significant stop on Shikoku after the bridge.

From Matsuyama the journey is about 80 minutes by limited express. From Tokushima (on the Pacific coast), you need to go via Takamatsu, adding time. There is no direct bus connection from most major cities that is faster than the train. Marugame Station is in the centre of town and all the main sights are within walking distance.

Guide

Things to Do

Marugame is compact and easy to cover in a day. The castle and its stone walls are the centrepiece, with the MIMOCA contemporary art museum and the Uchiwa-no-Minato museum rounding out the core sights. The city makes a convenient day trip from Takamatsu — just 30 minutes by train — or a stop on the Seto-Ohashi bridge crossing from Honshu.