Itinerary · Japan
Shodoshima day trip by boat from Takamatsu
A day trip from Takamatsu Port to olive island Shodoshima: Tonosho, Ikeda and Sakate routes with times and fares, boarding points, and sights back in town.
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From Takamatsu Port to Shodoshima in a day
Shodoshima is a large Seto Inland Sea island known for its olive park, sea views and gorge scenery. The boat from Takamatsu Port takes about 35-60 minutes, so it makes an easy day trip from a base in Takamatsu.
Day 4 of our guide is 'climb the steps at Kotohiragu (or visit Shodoshima), one more bowl of udon'. This post follows the Shodoshima option, with boat times and fares by route, and adds what to see back in the city. Check the official timetable for sailings and suspension days.
- Morning: boat from Takamatsu Port to Shodoshima (Tonosho or Ikeda Port)
- Midday: olive park, sea views, gorge scenery, olive dishes
- Afternoon: boat back to Takamatsu
- Evening: Tamamo Park, udon or honetsuki-dori, an arcade stroll
Getting to Takamatsu Port
Boats to Tonosho and Ikeda leave from Takamatsu Port, about 5-10 minutes' walk from JR Takamatsu Station. The station sits beside the ferry terminal, so staying near the station makes a morning boat easy.
From Takamatsu Airport (TAK), a limousine bus takes about 45 minutes to Takamatsu Station and costs about ¥1,000. Flights from Incheon can vary by season, so check airline schedules.
Jumbo Ferry (ジャンボフェリー) to Sakate Port leaves from Takamatsu East Port, not the port by the station. If you take it, check your departure port.
- Takamatsu Port: about 5-10 min walk from JR Takamatsu Station
- Takamatsu Airport (TAK) to Takamatsu Station: limousine bus, about 45 min, about ¥1,000
- Jumbo Ferry to Sakate: departs from Takamatsu East Port
Choosing a route: Tonosho, Ikeda or Sakate
Shodoshima Ferry (小豆島フェリー) runs ferries and fast boats to Tonosho Port. The ferry takes about 60 minutes and costs ¥700; the fast boat takes about 35 minutes and costs ¥1,400.
Kokusai Ryobi Ferry (国際両備フェリー) runs ferries to Ikeda Port, about 60 minutes for ¥700. Jumbo Ferry to Sakate Port costs ¥700 and leaves from Takamatsu East Port; check official information for the journey time. All fares are adult one-way.
Boats to Kusakabe Port are suspended (Kagawa Prefecture route notice posted 20 May 2026). Check official information for any restart.
- Tonosho Port (Shodoshima Ferry): ferry about 60 min, ¥700; fast boat about 35 min, ¥1,400
- Ikeda Port (Kokusai Ryobi Ferry): ferry about 60 min, ¥700
- Sakate Port (Jumbo Ferry): ¥700, from Takamatsu East Port; check the journey time
- Kusakabe Port: suspended (notice posted 20 May 2026)
What to check before you sail
Takamatsu Port's boarding points are numbered: ferries to Naoshima and Shodoshima use 1 and 2, and fast boats use 3. Follow the numbered signs.
Boats to Tonosho do not take passenger reservations; boarding is first come, first served. Check official information on reservations for the Ikeda and Sakate routes.
The boats our guide lists as cash only are the Naoshima fast boats and Teshima Ferry (豊島フェリー). The guide does not state payment methods for the Shodoshima routes, so check official information.
Island boats are infrequent. Check the return sailing first and plan your island time around it.
- Boarding points: ferries 1 and 2, fast boats 3
- To Tonosho: no reservations, first come, first served
- Reservations on the Ikeda and Sakate routes, payment on Shodoshima routes: check official information
- Check the return sailing first
A day on Shodoshima
Shodoshima is a large island known for its olive park, sea views and gorge scenery. It is big, so rather than trying to see everything, pick a few places and fit them around your return boat.
For lunch or souvenirs, try dishes and olive oil products made with Shodoshima olives.
Our guide notes that bikes and e-bikes are available on the islands. Island buses are infrequent, so check official information for ways to get around and times.
- Sights: olive park, sea views, gorge scenery
- Food: olive dishes, olive oil products
- Getting around the island: check official information
Back in town: Tamamo Park and dinner
Back at Takamatsu Port in the afternoon, Tamamo Park is close by. These Takamatsu Castle ruins have a moat fed by seawater and are a short walk from the station. Check official information for opening hours.
For dinner, try sanuki udon or honetsuki-dori. At self-service udon shops you take your noodles, add toppings and pay; it is about ¥300-800. Popular udon shops may close in the early afternoon or run out of noodles. Honetsuki-dori is roasted chicken leg on the bone; prices vary by place.
After dinner, end the day with a stroll through the long covered arcades of Kawaramachi.
- Tamamo Park: castle ruins with a seawater moat, a short walk from the station
- Sanuki udon: about ¥300-800; popular shops may close early
- Kawaramachi arcades: evening stroll
One more day: Ritsurin Garden, Yashima and Kotohiragu
Ritsurin Garden is a vast Japanese garden of pines, ponds and a backdrop hill, with boat rides on the pond. It is a short Kotoden ride from downtown, and IC cards work. Yashima is a flat-topped plateau with views over the city and the Inland Sea islands; get there by JR or bus.
Kotohiragu Shrine (Konpira-san) is a shrine to the sea god reached by 785 steps, about an hour by Kotoden.
For island trips, March-May and October-November are good for walking, with calm seas. Summers are hot and humid, and islands and ferries get busy in Setouchi Triennale years. Check official Japanese government information on entry procedures (such as online registration) before you travel.
- Ritsurin Garden: by Kotoden, boat rides on the pond
- Yashima: by JR or bus, views of the city and islands
- Kotohiragu: 785 steps, about an hour by Kotoden
- Best months: March-May, October-November
Plan your Takamatsu trip
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FAQ
Where do I catch the boat to Shodoshima?
Boats to Tonosho and Ikeda leave from Takamatsu Port, about 5-10 minutes' walk from JR Takamatsu Station. Jumbo Ferry (ジャンボフェリー) to Sakate leaves from Takamatsu East Port.
What is the fastest boat?
The Shodoshima Ferry (小豆島フェリー) fast boat to Tonosho Port, about 35 minutes for ¥1,400 adult one-way. The ferry takes about 60 minutes for ¥700. Check the official timetable for sailings and suspension days.
Do I need to book the boat?
Boats to Tonosho do not take passenger reservations; boarding is first come, first served. Check official information on reservations for the Ikeda and Sakate routes and on payment for the Shodoshima routes.
Is there a boat to Kusakabe Port?
Boats to Kusakabe Port are suspended (Kagawa Prefecture route notice posted 20 May 2026). Check official information for any restart.
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