Yashima

A flat-topped, lava-plateau peninsula five kilometres north-east of central Takamatsu, rising sharply from the Inland Sea to about three hundred metres. The summit is reached by a steep toll road, a hiking trail, or — until 2004 — by a celebrated cable car whose abandoned upper station is still visible in the woods. From the top there are panoramic views over the city, the Seto Inland Sea, and the smaller islands scattered offshore.

Allow at least three hours for a visit including the temple, the small Genpei battle museum, and the walk along the rim. Easy half-day trip from the city centre; trains on the Kotoden Shido line reach Kotoden-Yashima Station at the foot of the hill.

things to do sight viewpoint nature
A story
On 19 March 1185 the bay below Yashima was the site of one of the decisive battles of the Genpei War, when the young general Minamoto no Yoshitsune crossed from the mainland in a sudden storm and routed the Taira clan. The archer Nasu no Yoichi achieved immortality at this battle by shooting a fan from the mast of a Taira ship at sixty metres' range; a small monument by the bay marks the spot.