16 Parks in Kagawa worth your time

Shikoku Aquarium showcases 400 marine species from local waters, offering panoramic views and unique tanks.

What it is

• Aquarium in Utazu Seaside Park.
• Exhibits 400 marine species from around Shikoku.
• Focuses on Shikoku’s waterways, including rivers.

What to see

• Large tanks with panoramic views of Seto Inland Sea and Pacific Ocean.
• Main floor-to-ceiling tank with Japanese horse mackerel and other fish.
• Shark tank with scalloped hammerhead sharks, viewable from below.
• Uzushio tank recreates Naruto Strait tidal whirlpools.
• Dolphin pool, appears to blend with Seto Inland Sea.
• Sunset Deck offers views of dolphins jumping at dusk.

When to go

• Dusk for memorable dolphin pool views.

Official site

shikoku-aquarium.jp

Read more about Shikoku Aquarium

Kotohiki Park offers a sand sculpture said to bring luck and views of the Seto Inland Sea.

What it is

• Park in Kanonji city.
• Famous for the Zenigata Sand Coin, a 17th-century sand sculpture.
• Part of Setonaikai National Park.
• Contains historic sites, including temples and a Shinto shrine.

What to see

• Zenigata Sand Coin, illuminated at night.
• Elevated vista point with panorama of Seto Inland Sea.
• Ariake Beach, a 2-kilometer strip of white sand.
• Kotohiki Hachimangu Shrine on Mt. Kotohiki.
• 381-step staircase leading to the shrine.
• Jinnein and Kannonji Buddhist temples.

When to go

• At night, to see the illuminated sand sculpture.

Read more about Kotohiki Park

Mountain-top park with panoramic views, a swing, and snow play, accessible by ropeway.

What it is

• A lawn park on the summit of Mt. Unpenji.
• Managed by Shikoku Cable Co., Ltd.
• Redeveloped as a year-round tourist destination.

What to see

• Views of Seto Ohashi Bridge and Seto Inland Sea.
• The "Swing in the Sky" installed in July 2020.
• Unpenji Temple, the 66th temple of Shikoku Pilgrimage.
• Snow play spots using artificial snow machines.

When to go

• Open year-round.
• Snow play spots opened in January 2022.

Getting there

• Unpenji Ropeway provides easy access from Kagawa Prefecture.

Official site

www.shikoku-cable.co.jp

Read more about Unpenji Sanchō Park

Kagawa Sports Park offers extensive facilities for ball games and outdoor activities on reclaimed land.

What it is

• A large sports park in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture.
• Development began in 1979 by Kagawa Prefecture.
• Covers an area of 30.9 hectares.
• Primarily features facilities for ball games.

What to see

• Main baseball field and a second baseball field.
• Soccer/rugby fields and a sumo wrestling arena.
• Tennis courts and a multi-purpose open space.
• Sculpture by Masayuki Nagare, 'Kazenoishibue'.

Getting there

• Accessible by Kotoden Bus.
• Accessible via Sanuki Hamakaido road.

Read more about Kagawa Sports Park

New Reoma World is a theme park with unique rides and attractions for a fun family outing.

What it is

• A theme park in Kagawa Prefecture.
• Reopened under its current name on April 11, 2004.
• Divided into four zones: amusement park, food/merchandise, hotel, and Oriental Trip.

What to see

• A Ferris wheel 50 meters high.
• Japan's longest escalator at 42 meters.
• A carousel with the most horses in Japan.
• An indoor roller coaster called Spaceship 2056.
• A water bus called West Laker.
• Character greetings and parade shows.

When to go

• Awarded for its illumination in 2015.

Official site

www.newreomaworld.com

Read more about NEW REOMA WORLD

Kinrin Park is a historic pine grove and beach, offering scenic beauty and a popular swimming spot.

What it is

• A 9.5-hectare urban park in Sanuki City, Kagawa Prefecture.
• Monks planted pine trees here as a windbreak in the Muromachi period.
• Designated a prefectural park on August 24, 1915.

What to see

• 3,000 pine trees, some up to 600 years old.
• Tsuda no Matsubara Beach, 1000m wide and 30m deep.
• A National Scenic Beauty site.
• One of Japan's 100 White Sand and Green Pines.
• One of Japan's 100 Best Beaches.

When to go

• Tsuda no Matsubara Beach attracts many swimmers.

Read more about Kinrin Park

This park at the Seto Ohashi Bridge foot details the bridge's construction and offers recreation.

What it is

• Park commemorating the Seto Ohashi Bridge.
• Opened in 1988, on the Shikoku side.
• Former site of an exhibition celebrating the bridge.

What to see

• Seto Ohashi Commemorative Hall details bridge construction.
• Playgrounds and sports fields for recreation.
• Hama Ritsurin garden designed by Nagare Masayuki.
• Giant rock sculptures contrast with the bridge.

Getting there

• Near the Shamijima district of Sakaide.
• At the foot of the Seto Ohashi Bridge.

Address

番の州緑町6番地13 Map

Official site

www.setoohhashi.com

Read more about Seto Ōhashi Commemorative Park

A forest park with trees from all prefectures, offering recreation and cherry blossoms.

What it is

• A Kagawa Prefectural Forest Park.
• Managed by the Kagawa Landscaping Business Cooperative.
• Located on the southwest shore of Manno-ike pond.

What to see

• Trees from all 47 prefectures.
• National Tree Planting Festival Commemorative Planting Zone.
• Approximately 3,700 cherry trees.
• Athletic course and playgrounds.
• Forest learning exhibition hall.

Getting there

• 1.3 km northeast of Shioiri Station.
• 25-minute drive from Zentsuji Interchange.

Official site

mannou-mori.com

Read more about Manno-ike Forest Park

Asahiyama Shinrin Park offers a mock castle, local history, and scenic views amidst 20,000 trees.

What it is

• A forest park on Mount Asahi's summit.
• Developed by Takase Town in 1988.
• Over 20,000 trees of 47 species are planted.
• Features a shrine, Ise Asahiyama Hongu.

What to see

• Asaguchi Castle, a mock castle tower.
• Local history museum inside the castle.
• Viewing platform on the castle's third floor.
• About 2,000 cherry trees.
• A Jomon period dwelling built in 2014.
• Campground and walking courses.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.

Read more about Asahiyama Shinrin Park

Utazu Seaside Park offers a unique glimpse into Japan's salt industry and scenic coastal views.

What it is

• An urban park in Utazu Town, Kagawa Prefecture.
• Registered as a 'Roadside Station' in April 1997.
• Registered as a 'Minato Oasis' in June 2006.
• Site was formerly a salt field.

What to see

• Utazu Umihotaru industrial museum, exhibiting the salt industry.
• Restored salt field for salt-making experiences.
• Bench for couples to attach 'pledge keys'.
• Award-winning toilet design.
• Restored Old Nakamasu Salt Field Sluice Gate.
• Views of Setonaikai National Park.

Address

香川県綾歌郡宇多津町浜一番丁4番地 Map

Official site

uplaza-utazu.jp

Read more about Utazu Seaside Park

This family-friendly aquarium on Yashima mountain has manatees, shows, and a glass-bottomed boat.

What it is

• Small, family-friendly aquarium.
• Located on top of Yashima mountain.
• Opened in 1969 as Yashima Mountaintop Aquarium.
• Renovated and renamed in 2019.

What to see

• Roughly 150 species in 80 tanks.
• Penguins, otters, and two West Indian manatees.
• One of two places in Japan to see West Indian manatees.
• Seal and bottlenose dolphin shows.
• View sea creatures from a glass-bottomed boat.
• Manatee, penguin, and sea turtle feeding sessions.

Official site

r.goope.jp

Read more about New Yashima Aquarium

Toramaru Park offers unique puppet theater, a European village, and sports facilities for a diverse visit.

What it is

• A park opened in Higashikagawa City on October 10, 1991.
• Named after Mount Toramaru.
• Home to Toramaru Puppetland, a puppet theater mecca.

What to see

• Toramaru Puppetland, with a puppet theater and museum.
• A miniature European town.
• A multi-purpose ground with an athletic track.
• Six tennis courts and a campground.
• Toramaru Tebukuro Gymnasium, a former sports festival venue.

Read more about Toramaru Park

Step into a nostalgic 1950s Japanese village film set on Shodoshima Island.

What it is

• An open set for the 1987 movie "Twenty-Four Eyes."
• Exhibits 14 open sets from the early Showa period.
• Opened in 2019, featuring a figure gallery.

What to see

• The Misaki branch school set.
• Tsuboi Sakae Literary Museum.
• Gallery Shochikuza Cinema.
• Kinema no Iori, themed on 1950s Japanese films.
• Panel art called "Cinema Art Wall."
• Works from the Setouchi Triennale.

Official site

www.24hitomi.or.jp

Read more about Twenty Four Eyes Movie Studio

A park commemorating Osaka Castle's stone quarry, with a free museum and roadside station.

What it is

• A park managed by Tonosho Town.
• Opened in 1999.
• Commemorates the stone quarry for Osaka Castle.
• Includes a roadside station and Minato Oasis.

What to see

• Osaka Castle Zansekishiryokan Museum.
• Roadside station.
• Minato Oasis.
• Adjacent Kitamura Port.

When to go

• Museum closed December 29 to January 3.

Read more about Stones of Osaka Castle Commemorative Park

Kinbuchi Forest Park offers nature, views, and activities across two ponds and a mountain.

What it is

• A public forest park in Takamatsu City.
• Opened on April 1, 1978.
• Managed by Kagawa Water and Green Foundation.
• Formerly a seedling nursery.

What to see

• Areas around Kinbuchi Pond and Mount Futago.
• An athletic course on Mount Futago.
• A forest learning exhibition hall.
• A mountaintop observation deck.
• Two ponds.

Read more about Kinbuchi forest park

Shikoku's only national park offers vast nature, recreation, and camping for a relaxing escape.

What it is

• Shikoku's only national park, 350 hectares.
• First phase opened April 18, 1998.
• Fully opened April 21, 2013.
• Located east of Japan's largest irrigation reservoir.

What to see

• Natural ecosystem garden.
• Cycling course.
• Orienteering permanent course.
• Five-star certified auto-campsite.

Official site

sanukimannopark.jp

Read more about Sanuki Mannō Park