Even on Rainy Days, You Can Enjoy It! 8 Tourist Spots in Kagawa Prefecture

Kagawa Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea, is the smallest prefecture in Japan famous for its Sanuki udon. However, there are many spots in Kagawa where you can still have a great time even on rainy days. Whether outdoors or indoors, here we introduce tourist and outing spots in Kagawa that you can enjoy with your family, friends, or partner on rainy days.

1. It Feels Like Being in a Movie! The Twenty-Four Eyes Film Village in Shodoshima

The Twenty-Four Eyes Film Village in Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, is one of the tourist spots that can be fully enjoyed even on rainy days, with picturesque scenes everywhere you look. The open set used in the movie "Twenty-Four Eyes" is on display with 14 buildings.

The village features an old Showa-era village and a replica of a wooden school building, where you can see desks, chairs, and children’s artworks used by kids in the past. The village also has a movie theater, souvenir shops, and restaurants, making it a great place to relax even on rainy days.

To access there, it takes 30 to 60 minutes by car from various ports in Shodoshima, or a short walk from the "Twenty-Four Eyes Film Village" bus stop. If coming from Olive Navi Asahashi, you can reach it in 10 minutes by ferry.

2. A Castle Surrounded by 400 Years of History: Marugame Castle in Kagawa Prefecture

Marugame Castle, known for its stone walls, has stone walls that stand at a height of 60 meters. If you visit, you will surely be amazed by the magnificent stone walls, considered to be among the best in Japan. The entire castle site is designated as a national historic site, and it is home to one of the only 12 remaining wooden keep structures in Japan. The view from the top, even on a rainy day, offers a charming atmosphere.

3. An Aquarium on Top of a Mountain!? Get Relaxed at Shinyashima Aquarium

Located at an altitude of about 300 meters, Shinyashima Aquarium is a rare and cozy healing space in Japan. The aquarium offers hands-on experiences like feeding manatees and penguins, as well as touch pools, allowing you to interact with the creatures. It's definitely a place where you can have fun even on rainy days.

There are also dolphin and sea lion shows, with energetic staff members helping to excite the audience along with the animals. With various events within the park, it’s a place where both children and adults can enjoy. The aquarium also displays sea and river creatures, making it a great spot for family observation.

4. Indoor Sand Play!? A Popular Spot in Kagawa Prefecture, "Play Park Gold Tower"

On rainy days, you can enjoy active play indoors at "Play Park Gold Tower," an amusement park packed with fun corners. It’s an entertainment park that satisfies everyone from children to adults. There are also areas where you can interact with dogs and even play with sand indoors.

With a food court available, you can enjoy lunch as a group and then have fun bowling afterward. The attached observation tower, Gold Tower, stands 158 meters tall and offers a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. Even on rainy days, you'll find plenty to do here, and the day will fly by in no time.

5. An Island Full of Art: The Naoshima Islands

The Naoshima Islands, located in the Seto Inland Sea, consist of various small islands. Some of these islands serve as venues for the Setouchi Triennale, allowing you to enjoy art to your heart’s content. Ferries are available to the island, taking about 15-20 minutes from Uno Port and just under an hour from Takamatsu Port.

The ferry itself has a cute polka dot design, pulling you into the world of art before you even reach Naoshima. The island is dotted with art installations, many of which are unaffected by the weather. There are also museums, so even on rainy days, you can explore numerous artworks indoors.

Naoshima also has a unique and eye-catching bathhouse. It’s a popular spot where just visiting will make you smile. You can also relax and unwind at this stylish bathhouse.

6. Kids Will Be Completely Satisfied! A Free Spot Where You Can Play All Day, "Sanuki Kodomo no Kuni"

Sanuki Kodomo no Kuni, a large children's center in Kagawa, is a place where kids can have a blast even on rainy days. There are crafting spaces with paper and clay, a science experiment area, a children’s theater with musical instruments and paper plays, and a planetarium space theater – a variety of activities that will surely make kids’ eyes sparkle. There are also play equipment that is accessible for children with disabilities.

7. A Greek-like Roadside Station, "Shodoshima Olive Park"

Shodoshima Olive Park, with about 2,000 olive trees and white windmills resembling those of the Aegean Sea, has a Greek-inspired roadside station. The Olive Memorial Hall inside the park allows you to enjoy food made with fresh, seasonal ingredients from Shodoshima, and you can also buy souvenirs.

The seasonal craft experiences, which change every month, are sure to bring relaxation and joy. The movie set for "Kiki's Delivery Service" has also been turned into an herb shop, where you can shop as if you were the main character, Kiki. This healing-filled Olive Park is a great place to enjoy even on rainy days.

Access by bus: Take the Sakate Line or South Loop Fukuda Line, get off at "Olive Park," and walk for 5 minutes. Of course, there is a large parking lot, so you can also visit by car.

8. If You Want to Learn About the History of Kagawa, This is the Place! "Kagawa Prefectural Museum"

Located about a 10-minute walk from JR Takamatsu Station and about 30 minutes by car from the Takamatsu Chuo IC or Takamatsu Nishi IC, the "Kagawa Prefectural Museum" offers a chance to learn about the history and origins of Kagawa. It also displays works and records of famous individuals and artists associated with Kagawa. The museum combines both a museum and an art gallery.

The museum shop, where you can find exclusive goods, and the café are great places to relax, even on rainy days. The exhibits change periodically, so you’ll always find something new with every visit. In the experience room, you can try on traditional garments like the "junihitoe" or samurai armor, allowing you to feel history and culture firsthand.

◎ Summary

You can enjoy the vast Seto Inland Sea while feeling the history of Kagawa at Marugame Castle, or have fun with your kids at Play Park Gold Tower and Sanuki Kodomo no Kuni. There are many ways to enjoy Kagawa, even on rainy days. Taking a ferry to Shodoshima or the Naoshima Islands is a unique experience in Kagawa tourism! The Twenty-Four Eyes Film Village and Shodoshima Olive Village have their own charm, and I believe you can be satisfied regardless of the weather.

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