What to Buy in Takamatsu: 6 Best Souvenirs
Takamatsu shopping means bringing home the textures of Shikoku—noodles that define a prefecture, fans that cool pilgrims, and the indigo that once sailed these harbour waters. The city's modest storefronts and covered arcades hold generations of craft and flavour, grounded in the rhythms of the Inland Sea.
Dried Sanuki Udon 讃岐うどん
Kagawa's legendary thick wheat noodles, prized for their firm, springy bite, are the soul of local food culture. Dried versions from established makers let you recreate that texture at home with proper boiling.
💡 Look for half-dried (namaudon) packs if refrigeration allows—they cook closer to shop quality than fully dried.
Marugame Uchiwa Fans 丸亀うちわ
These flat round fans from nearby Marugame have been cooling Shikoku summers and pilgrims for centuries, crafted from split bamboo and washi paper. Takamatsu shops stock both traditional and contemporary designs.
💡 Choose one with a lacquered handle for durability; the simplest patterns often show the bamboo work best.
Wasanbon Sugar 和三盆
This fine-grained, pale sugar is a Shikoku specialty, traditionally made in eastern Kagawa from local sugarcane and prized by wagashi makers across Japan. Its delicate sweetness melts on the tongue.
💡 Buy pressed wasanbon sweets (higashi) in seasonal shapes—they travel well and showcase the sugar's texture.
Awa Indigo-Dyed Goods 阿波藍
Tokushima's deep indigo once dominated Japan's dye trade, and Takamatsu shops carry handkerchiefs, tenugui towels and accessories in that unmistakable blue. The colour deepens with age and wear.
💡 A small tenugui cloth is practical and affordable; look for the rich, layered tones of genuine natural fermentation dye.
Iriko Dried Sardines いりこ
The Inland Sea's small dried sardines are the backbone of Sanuki udon broth, giving it a clean, savoury depth. Kagawa produces some of Japan's finest iriko, sold in every market.
💡 Mid-sized iriko are most versatile for dashi; vacuum-sealed packs keep freshness for months.
Olive Products
Shodoshima island, visible from Takamatsu port, is Japan's olive heartland, and the city's shops stock its oil, salt and preserved fruit. The mild climate of the Inland Sea makes this Japan's only significant olive region.
💡 Olive leaf tea or small bottles of estate oil make light, distinctive gifts with a clear local story.
The Marugamemachi and Hyogomachi shopping arcades near JR Takamatsu Station hold specialist food and craft shops, while the morning market at Ritsurin Garden's edge offers seasonal produce. For udon and iriko, neighbourhood supermarkets often stock better everyday quality than souvenir stands.
Frequently asked questions
Crafts of this region
Authentic pieces made near here — learn the story, then bring one home.
Awa Indigo
阿波藍 · Tokushima
Tobe Ware
砥部焼 · Tobe, Ehime
Tosa Washi
土佐和紙 · Ino, Kōchi
Marugame Round Fans
丸亀うちわ · Marugame, Kagawa
Tosa Blades
土佐打刃物 · Kami, Kochi