Takamatsu is a city located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the capital city of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Seto Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island. For this reason it flourished under the daimyōs as a castle town in the fiefdom of Takamatsu, during the Edo period. Takamatsu is a city with a large concentration of nationwide companies' branch offices, which play a large role in its economy, and it contains most of the national government's branch offices for Shikoku. The castle tower formerly used as the symbol of the city was destroyed during the Meiji period. In 2004, construction of the Symbol Tower, the new symbol of Takamatsu, was completed. The Symbol Tower is located in the Sunport area of the city. The Symbol Tower is the tallest building in Takamatsu, and is right next to another tall building The JR Clement Hotel, which is also part of the Sunport complex. The Sunport Takamatsu covers the area of the Symbol Tower, the JR Clement Hotel, and a miniature mall called Maritime Plaza. The Takamatsu Bus station is also located right next to Maritime Plaza. Various Buses including the Kotoden Bus run through town, to Ritsurin Park, and to the airport. Sunport Takamatsu is also connected to the ports of Takamatsu. Takamatsu Airport is located in Takamatsu. On September 26, 2005, the town of Shionoe was merged into Takamatsu. On January 10, 2006, Takamatsu absorbed the following towns: Aji and Mure, Kagawa and Kōnan, and Kokubunji.
Geography and demographics
As of October 1, 2010, the city had an estimated population of 419,429 with a population density of 1,118 persons per km². The total area is following the September 26, 2005, and January 10, 2006, expansions.
History
The city was officially founded on February 15, 1890. It had been a political and economic center in this area since the Edo period when the Matsudaira clan made Takamatsu the capital of their han. Takamatsu was selected as a target by the United States' XXI Bomber Command because the city was thought to be an important focal point of Shikoku's rail and road transit systems, and containing some industry vital to supporting the war effort. On July 3, 1945, towards the end of World War II, at 6:40 PM 128 B-29 aircraft took off to bomb Takamatsu. Over 800 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Takamatsu, destroying 78% of the built-up areas of the city.
Main sights
The city's major tourist attraction is Ritsurin Garden, a feudal lord garden created in the Edo period. Designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government, Ritsurin Garden is especially popular during spring and autumn where night-time illuminations showcase cherry blossoms and autumn colours respectively. Takamatsu Castle is known for using seawater in its moat and recently the old keep of the castle was successfully restored and opened for public viewing. In the east of Takamatsu City lies the Yashima lava plateau which is home to various sightseeing spots. At the base of the mountain is the open air museumShikoku Mura where aspects of regional history and culture are exhibited. On the mountain itself is Yashima-ji, number 84 of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. At the top of the mountain there is also an observation deck which offers views across the Seto Inland Sea. Takamatsu also acts as a hub to access various islands of the Seto Inland Sea. These include, Megijima, Ogijima, Naoshima, Teshima and Shōdoshima. Since 2010, Takamatsu, along with these islands and more, has been host to the Setouchi Triennale, a contemporary art festival with many outdoor exhibitions by prominent artists from across the world.
Economy
Companies headquartered in the city include:
Shikoku Railway Company
Tadano Limited
Shikoku Shimbun
Asiana Airlines operates a sales office on the twelfth floor of the Nihon Seimei Ekimae Building in Takamatsu.
The main train station is Takamatsu Station, operated by JR Shikoku. Trains from here run to destinations around Shikoku, as well as Okayama Station on Honshū via the Seto-Ōhashi Bridge. The private Kotoden railway connects much of Takamatsu, with a hub and department store at Kawaramachi Station, and Takamatsu-Chikko Station nearby Takamatsu Station. Long-distance coach services operate from the city to destinations such as Ōsaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Hiroshima. Buses and trains operated by Kotoden accept a contactless payment card for travel called an IruCa.
Takamatsu is the main setting of Haruki Murakami's novel Kafka on the Shore.
The author was born in Takamatsu City in 1900 and gives an account of his childhood there.
Takamatsu is the main setting of Poco's Udon World This manga had an anime in 2016.
Climate
Takamatsu has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, and cool winters. Some rain falls throughout the year, but the months from May to September have the heaviest rain.
