Takamatsu

One full day for Ritsurin Garden, Tamamo Park, and udon. Two days adds a Naoshima art-island day or Yashima + Noguchi Museum. Three days lets you reach Megijima and explore the lesser-known Inland Sea islands.

Sanuki udon (Sanuki being the old name for Kagawa) is hand-cut from chewy wheat dough, and Kagawa eats more udon per capita than anywhere on earth. Locals have a multi-bowl-a-week habit; some shops only stay open until lunch when they sell out.

Yes — 60-min ferry to Miyanoura. Day-trippers can see Benesse House Museum, Chichu Art Museum, and Yayoi Kusama's pumpkins. Staying overnight on Naoshima or Teshima opens up the Lee Ufan Museum and the Teshima Art Museum.

Different. Ritsurin is more naturalistic (six ponds, complex hill arrangements, garden-walking through borrowed mountain scenery). Korakuen (Okayama) is more architectural with the borrowed Castle view. Both are top-3 ranked; Ritsurin is the only 3-star Michelin garden.

Sanuki udon, Ritsurin Garden, the gateway to Naoshima art islands, the Setouchi Triennale (every 3 years), the historic Yashima plateau, and the Inland Sea ferry hub.

One full day covers Ritsurin Garden, Tamamo Park, central Takamatsu, and udon stops. A second day allows a Naoshima or Megijima art-island excursion. Three days lets you ride the Konpira pilgrim train to Kotohira.

The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum (reservation required) on a hilltop near Yashima, the Onigashima caves on Megijima, and the Spanish-style hilltop fishing village of Ogijima a short ferry away.

Beyond the obvious draws, Marugame-machi Shopping Arcade, Kitahama Alley, Udon Baka Ichidai, Tsurumaru Udon reward travelers willing to step off the main route — local pace, fewer crowds, and a closer feel for the everyday rhythms of the region.