
Major Events & Festivals in Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
1. Sanuki Udon Fair
Celebrating the region's iconic dish, Sanuki Udon. Visitors can enjoy different varieties of udon noodles, live performances, and cultural activities.
- Culinary Delight: Offers a chance to taste diverse Sanuki Udon recipes
- Cultural Experience: Provides insights into local customs and traditions
- Entertainment: Features live performances throughout the event
2. Setouchi Triennale
A contemporary art festival held on several islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It showcases works by international and Japanese artists.
- Artistic Expression: Displays cutting-edge art installations
- Cultural Exchange: Brings together artists from around the world
- Natural Beauty: Takes place on picturesque islands in the Seto Inland Sea
3. Ama-no-kaku Festival
An ancient festival honoring Takamatsu Castle and its founder Ryoma Sakamoto. It includes processions, traditional music, and archery demonstrations.
- Historical Significance: Honors the city's rich history and founding father
- Cultural Preservation: Keeps traditional practices alive for future generations
- Community Bonding: Brings together locals and visitors in celebration
4. Taisho-no-Yo Festival
A traditional dance festival showcasing Awa Odori, a regional dance style originating from Shikoku. It takes place in August.
- Cultural Preservation: Preserves and promotes the traditional Awa Odori dance
- Community Bonding: Encourages participation from locals and visitors alike
- Entertainment: Offers live music and dance performances
5. Ritsurin Art Festival
An annual event held in Ritsurin Garden featuring art installations, performances, and workshops.
- Artistic Inspiration: Provides a unique artistic experience within a beautiful garden setting
- Cultural Exchange: Showcases works by artists from various countries
- Relaxation: Allows visitors to unwind amidst the tranquil Ritsurin Garden
6. Kagawa Lantern Festival
A winter event where thousands of lanterns are lit up in various parts of the city. It's a spectacle of light and color.
- Visual Experience: Offers a breathtaking display of illuminated lanterns
- Community Bonding: Brings locals and visitors together in celebration
- Winter Warmth: Provides a bright and cheerful contrast to the winter season
7. Komatsu-do Hall Festival
A festival held at Komatsu-do Hall, where traditional performing arts are showcased, including kabuki and bunraku.
- Cultural Preservation: Keeps traditional performing arts alive for future generations
- Artistic Appreciation: Allows visitors to experience the beauty of kabuki and bunraku performances
- Historical Insight: Offers a glimpse into Japan's rich theatrical heritage
8. Sakurajima-jinja Spring Festival
A festival celebrating Sakurajima Shrine and its cherry blossoms. It includes traditional rituals, music, and dance performances.
- Natural Beauty: Features the stunning cherry blossoms of Sakurajima Shrine
- Historical Significance: Honors a significant shrine with a rich history
- Cultural Preservation: Keeps traditional rituals and performances alive
9. Tanabata Matsuri
A star festival celebrating the mythical lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi. It includes decorative bamboo streamers, food stalls, and dance performances.
- Cultural Experience: Provides insights into local star festival traditions
- Community Bonding: Brings locals and visitors together in celebration
- Aesthetic Appeal: Features colorful decorative bamboo streamers
10. Kagawa Marugoto Matsuri
A festival celebrating Kagawa Prefecture's local products, including food, crafts, and traditional performances.
- Culinary Delight: Offers a chance to taste local delicacies
- Cultural Experience: Provides insights into Kagawa's rich cultural heritage
- Shopping Opportunities: Allows visitors to purchase high-quality local crafts
11. Komatsu-do Kyo-machiya Festival
A festival held in a traditional Japanese townhouse (kyo-machiya) showcasing traditional arts and crafts, music, and dance.
- Cultural Preservation: Keeps traditional arts and crafts alive for future generations
- Historical Insight: Offers a glimpse into Japan's traditional townhouse lifestyle
- Artistic Appreciation: Allows visitors to experience traditional Japanese arts and crafts
12. Nagao-jinja Shrine Festival
A festival held at Nagao Shrine featuring traditional rituals, music, and dance performances.
- Historical Significance: Honors a significant shrine with a rich history
- Cultural Preservation: Keeps traditional rituals and performances alive
- Community Bonding: Brings locals and visitors together in celebration
13. Yashiki-no-Odori Festival
A traditional dance festival showcasing the Yashiki-no-Odori dance style. It takes place in October.
- Cultural Preservation: Preserves and promotes the traditional Yashiki-no-Odori dance
- Community Bonding: Encourages participation from locals and visitors alike
- Entertainment: Offers live music and dance performances
14. Kankakei Gorge Illumination
An event held during the winter season where Kankakei Gorge is illuminated with thousands of lights.
- Visual Experience: Offers a breathtaking display of illuminated lights
- Winter Warmth: Provides a bright and cheerful contrast to the winter season
- Natural Beauty: Takes place in the picturesque Kankakei Gorge
15. Ritsurin Night Festival
A nighttime event held in Ritsurin Garden featuring art installations, music performances, and food stalls.
- Artistic Inspiration: Provides a unique artistic experience within a beautiful garden setting at night
- Cultural Exchange: Showcases works by artists from various countries
- Relaxation: Allows visitors to unwind amidst the tranquil Ritsurin Garden under the stars