The prefecture that inspired Murakami

“It is difficult to distinguish between the sea and the sky, the voyager and the sea. Between reality and the inner workings,” Haruki Murakami writes in the book Kafka on the Shorea novel mainly set in Kagawa Prefecture. Taking a train along the coast on a clear day, it’s easy to imagine what Murakami meant: the vibrant blue sea and sky merge into one, and you start to feel like you’re part of the hazy skyline, blending in with the endless spread Integrated into one sky blue.

Kagawa Prefecture is located on Shikoku Island in southern Japan. It is an quaint prefecture and the smallest prefecture in Japan. The warm climate and year-round breeze from the Seto Inland Sea have shaped its culture to be unique and detailed. Visiting it can be a fantastic experience and leave a lasting impression. Here are some of the best sights, attractions and experiences in this stunning region.

The precious Seto Inland Sea

Kagawa Prefecture is located on the northern coast of Shikoku, facing the Seto Inland Sea. It is famous for its archipelago of more than 20 islands spread across the ocean. The beaches here are also famous – Mitoyo’s Mitabahama is one of the most famous, famous for its “mirror effect”. At low tide, the water recedes, revealing a large, tranquil tidal pool that reflects the sky. This rare phenomenon has made the Myershama a popular location for photographers and travelers to capture otherworldly scenes.

Another spot for stunning ocean views is Angel’s Path, a 500-meter-long sandbar that only appears twice a day at low tide and connects Shodoshima to three smaller islands. This scenic road is especially beautiful at sunset, when the sky turns vibrant orange and pink. Legend has it that lovers who walk hand in hand on the path of angels will find eternal love.

One of the longest bridges in Japan at 13 kilometers in length, the Seto Ohashi Bridge is a stunning landmark that can be viewed from several nearby viewpoints. Crossing the bridge, which connects mainland Honshu and Shikoku, allows visitors to appreciate the vastness of the sea and the engineering prowess of Japan.

Naoshima, Japan: Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin Art. Taken on a sunny day in Naoshima, Japan.

Island hopping

The Kagawa Islands vary in size and importance, and many islands can be reached by ferry. Shodoshima is the birthplace of Japanese olive cultivation and is known as the “Olive Island” for its Mediterranean-style climate and stunning scenery. At Shodoshima Olive Park, you can stroll among olive trees and sample olive-related products at cafes and shops.

Many art-loving tourists flock to Naoshima, Japan’s premier “art island”. There are many famous contemporary art museums here, including the Chichu Museum of Art and the Benesse House Museum. The island itself serves as an open-air gallery, with sculptures and art installations scattered throughout the landscape, including iconic works by Yayoi Kusama. Neighboring Toshima also has an interesting collection of contemporary art.

Seaside shrines and pilgrimage routes

Kagawa is also home to many important spiritual sites. The nickname of Kotohira-gu Shrine is “Mr. Kotohira” and it is the most popular shrine in the prefecture. Although designated as a shrine during the Meiji period, Mr. Kimhiro’s architecture displays elements of Shintoism and Buddhism, and respects and protects sailors. It is located on the slopes of Elephant Head Mountain and can be reached by a stone staircase consisting of 1,368 steps.

Tsushima Shrine is a unique shrine located on a small island off the coast of Mino Town. The island can only be entered once a year, during the summer festival in August, when a bright red bridge is built on the shore. Since Tsushima Shrine is closely associated with the health and well-being of children, many families come here to celebrate and pray together.

Of course, when talking about the spirituality of Shikoku, we cannot fail to mention the Shikoku Pilgrimage. This sacred path follows the footsteps of the great Buddhist monk Kukai, posthumously known as Kobo Daishi, and connects 88 temples across Shikoku, including 23 temples in Kagawa Prefecture. The road from Hakuhoji Temple in Sakade to Neroji Temple in Takamatsu is still mostly in its original state.

Udon Prefecture

Many people associate Kagawa Prefecture with its culinary heritage – being the home of udon. There are nearly 600 udon shops in the prefecture. (Compare that to convenience stores: there are said to be only 380.) People who live here are said to eat seven times as much udon as the average Japanese.

Udon noodles produced in Kagawa Prefecture are famous for being chewy and chewy. It can be eaten in many ways, but the standard style is shoyu udon, where dashi-flavored soy sauce is poured directly over the cold noodles and topped with scallions, grated daikon, ginger and kanzu.

The prefecture’s cuisine goes beyond udon. Its mild climate is ideal for lemon cultivation; the Kagawa lemon’s soft, mellow peel is ideal for cooking. For seafood lovers, its deep connection to the ocean ensures an abundance of fresh fish and shellfish. Spanish mackerel, olive amberjack and pear pufferfish are some of the local specialties.

parks and gardens

Kagawa’s natural beauty is reflected in its parks and gardens. Located in Takamatsu, Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan’s most famous historical gardens, built by local feudal lords during the Edo period. This extensive landscaped garden features lush greenery, a tranquil pond and a calming gazebo.

Another garden worth exploring is the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum in the town of Murray. The museum is dedicated to the work of renowned Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi and is an extension of his museum in New York. The seamless blend of nature and architecture is breathtaking and meditative.

Every place in Kagawa feels significant yet hazy and dreamy, like a warm siesta. It’s easy to see why Murakami was inspired by this background. Kagawa is full of magic—from the vast views of the Seto Inland Sea, to a culture steeped in rich religious and maritime history, to the comfort of a simple, perfect bowl of udon.

Related posts