Overview
All three Kotoden railway lines meet at Kawaramachi Station, beside Takamatsu's central shopping arcades. The surrounding Takamatsu-Kawaramachi neighborhood has hotels and restaurants within walking distance, so you can spend the evening here after a day out by train.
The station is inland from the waterfront. JR trains arrive at Takamatsu Station, near the ferry port, rather than Kawaramachi.
Lines and connections
For the waterfront, take a Kotohira or Nagao Line train bound for Takamatsu-Chikko Station. Both routes pass through Kataharamachi before reaching Takamatsu-Chikko, where you can walk to the JR station or ferry port.
Southbound Kotohira Line trains stop at Ritsurin-Koen and continue toward Kotohira. If you're making the full journey, check that the destination is Kotoden-Kotohira because some services end at intermediate stations. The Nagao Line branches toward Nagao instead.
The Shido Line starts at Kawaramachi and runs east through Kotoden-Yashima to Kotoden-Shido. If you're coming from Takamatsu-Chikko, change here. A connecting passage with a moving walkway leads to its platforms, so allow time for the walk when changing from the other two lines.
Airport access
Kotoden limousine buses run directly between Kawaramachi and Takamatsu Airport. Airport-bound services leave from bus stop 2 outside the station, while buses arriving from the airport use stop 5. The trip from the airport takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Not every airport-bound bus stops here. Check the Kawaramachi departure column for your travel date rather than relying on the general Takamatsu Station timetable. Schedules change with flight times, and you'll also need time to reach the bus stop from the railway platforms.
Station area
The second-floor concourse connects to Kawaramachi FLAG, a shopping complex with stores, a bookshop, and cafes. Buses and taxis use the forecourt below. The west side leads toward the shopping streets, while the Shido Line connection is on the east side.
Tokiwacho Shopping Street is close by and joins Takamatsu's wider network of eight connected covered arcades. Small businesses share the streets with larger stores. Minamishinmachi has Sanuki udon restaurants, while Lion Street's bars and izakaya become livelier in the evening. There's plenty to eat and browse without taking another train.
What's nearby
For Ritsurin Garden, take the Kotohira Line one stop south to Ritsurin-Koen, then walk about ten minutes. Paths wind around six ponds and landscaped hills. Ritsurin-Koen is a Kotoden station; the JR stations with Ritsurin in their names are separate.
Takamatsu Art Museum is about a ten-minute walk away, near the shopping arcades. Its collection covers postwar Japanese art, international modern art, and work from Kagawa.
Good to know
Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA work on Kotoden trains and the airport bus, so you don't need to buy the local IruCa card solely for these journeys.
Coin lockers are available at the station. If they're full or your bag doesn't fit, ask at the counter whether staff can hold it for a fee while you visit the shops or museum.
