Private Tour
Takamatsu Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Takamatsu!
This buoyant port city boasts many attractions, including Takamatsu Castle, regional culinary specialties like Sanuki-udon, and one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, Ritsurin Koen. Takamatsu also serves as the gateway to the many beautiful islands in the Seto Inland Sea, making it a perfect base for exploring the region.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Takamatsu
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Ritsurin Garden
Ritsurin Koen (栗林公園) is a landscape garden in Takamatsu City, built by the local feudal lords during the early Edo Period. Considered one of the best gardens in Japan, it is often suggested that Ritsurin Koen deserves a spot on the list of the "three most beautiful gardens of Japan" alongside Kanazawa's Kenrokuen, Mito's Kairakuen, and Okayama's Korakuen. The spacious park features many ponds, hills, historic trees and beautiful pavilions divided into a Japanese style garden in the south and western style garden in the north. The gardens are set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a wonderful background and great example of borrowed scenery.
Takamatsu Castle
Takamatsu Castle (高松城, Takamatsujō), also known as Tamamo Castle, was built in 1590 adjacent to the Seto Inland Sea. It is one of the few Japanese castles built along a waterfront, and features saltwater moats that draw directly from the sea. The Ikoma Clan ruled from the castle for 54 years before their fief was given to the Matsudaira Clan, relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun, who kept the region for the remainder of the Edo Period. Takamatsu Castle's keep was destroyed during the Meiji Period, but there are plans to reconstruct it in the future. A first step towards this goal was achieved in 2013 when the restoration of the castle tower's foundation was completed after many years of work.
Options
Takamatsu Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour of Takamatsu!
Pam W,
Apr 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari provided an excellent tour for us. She put a lot of thought into her preparation and commicated with me prior to the tour to determine our interests. We were very pleased.
Beautiful Takamatsu Tour with Kaji
dresaxon,
Mar 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was wonderful to have such a personalized tour & we were able to walk through the beautiful Takamatsu Castle with indepth explanation of history and culture. We even stopped to have lunch at a famous noodle shop that makes/teaches how to make the famous Sanuki noodles.
A great trip with an expert guide
cjpgibson,
Jun 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mari was a fantastic guide. Before the trip she sent us an itinerary for our consideration and took careful account of our interests and wishes. She pre-booked everything so the day ran extremely smoothly. Mari is extremely knowledgeable about the art and architecture of the city and took us to some fabulous sights. She also gave us a wonderful tour of the beautiful Ritsurin Gardens which exceeded expectations. Takamatsu is a beautiful city and we both felt we gained so much more from our trip because of Mari’s expert knowledge. After the tour was over, Mari sent me lots of recommendations with detailed timings to help us plan a trip to the nearby islands. She really did go over and beyond, super helpful and so nice! Thank you Mari for a wonderful day, we thoroughly recommend you!
Excellent guide. Thoroughly recommended!
N1250DXtashag,
Jun 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Mari was fantastic. Ahead of the trip she sent us an itinerary for our consideration and was very mindful of our interests and wishes. She booked everything ahead so the day went very smoothly. Takamatsu is a beautiful city and we both felt we got so much more out of our visit because of Mari’s expertise. She is extremely knowledgeable about the art and architecture of the city and gave us a wonderful tour of the Ritsurin Gardens which exceeded expectations. After the tour ended, Mari kindly sent me lots of details for a trip to the nearby islands, going out of her way to help us. We thoroughly recommend Mari, an excellent guide and super nice too!
Insider experiences in Takamatsu
Ellen L,
Apr 14, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00The lunch at the Guest House where Einstein stayed and seeing his rooms was a treat. We also enjoyed the railway museum - neither experience was mentioned in our guidebook so we really appreciated that our guide included them.
Touring with Mika was like having a friend in Takamatsu
Barbara C,
Oct 15, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband, son and his girlfriend and cousin toured Takamatsu with Mika and we had an excellent time with her. Mika reached out via email when I booked the tour and was was very helpful in planning the day and taking care of all our requests. She went out of her way to take care of us. My husband lost his wallet at our last stop and Mika called the ticket office. They had it and and she and I ran back to pick it up! She was terrific.
Takematsu: gardens and udon
509lianes,
Oct 1, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Reiko was a wonderful guide, knowledgeable, kind, funny. We had a great day together in Takematsu visiting the castle and the gardens. She took us to a great udon noodle place for delicious lunch!
From Canada
SonEHCanada,
Jun 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great experience while visiting Takayama with Lily (Yuriko) as a guide. Her English was very good which helped understand the background of each place we visited and she answered all my questions really well. She organized the places to visit in the right order so that I could also enjoy a walk by the river and street market. Thanks Lily for an enjoyable day full of history and great places in Takayama.
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Operated by Japan Guide Agency