Takamatsu City HallAerial view of Takamatsu city centerView from Yashima to Takashima port
Takamatsu (高松市,Takamatsu-shi;Japanese:[takaꜜmatsɯ]) is a capitalcity located inKagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 November 2022[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 414,134 in 190,120 households and apopulation density of 1,100 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 375.41 square kilometres (144.95 sq mi). It is the capital city of the prefecture.
Takamatsu is located in centralKagawa Prefecture on the island ofShikoku. The city is located in the Takamatsu Plain, which is part of the Sanuki Plain, and is occupied by a gentle slope as a whole. The northern part faces theSeto Inland Sea, forming a semicircular urban area centered on Takamatsu Port and Takamatsu New Port (commonly known as Shinminato).The western part of the city consists of analluvial fan formed by the sedimentation of the Koto River. The eastern part is a flooded plain formed by the Kasuga River and Shinkawa River. In the northeastern part of the island, there isYashima, a table-shaped plateau protruding into the Seto Inland Sea, which was the site of theBattle of Yashima in theGenpei War, and Cape Takei, the northernmost tip of the main island of Shikoku. Parts of the city are located within the borders of theSetonaikai National Park. The city area also includes a number of small inhabited islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
Takamatsu has ahumid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa) with hot, humid summers, and cool winters. Some rain falls throughout the year, but the months from May to September have the heaviest rain.
Climate data for Takamatsu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1941−present)
Following the Meiji restoration, the city of Takamatsu was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on February 15, 1890. Thecastle tower formerly used as the symbol of the city was destroyed during theMeiji period. The city borders expanded in several iterations by the annexation on neighboring villages and towns. DuringWorld War II, Takamatsu was selected as a target by the United States'XXI Bomber Command because the city was an important focal point of Shikoku's rail and road transit systems, and containing some industry vital to supporting the war effort. On July 3, 1945, at 6:40 pm (JST) 128B-29 Superfortress bombers dropped over 800 tons of incendiary bombs on Takamatsu, destroying 78% of the built-up areas of the city and killing 1359 people.[7]
The city quickly recovered after the war, and its borders continued to expand. On April 1, 1999, it was designated acore city with increased local autonomy.
Takamatsu has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city council of 40 members. Takamatsu contributes 15 members to the Kagawa Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between Kagawa 1st district and Kagawa 2nd district of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
Takamatsu is the largest municipality in Shikoku and is a city with a large concentration of nationwide companies' branch offices, which play a large role in its economy. It also contains most of the national government's branch offices for Shikoku. In 2004, construction of the Symbol Tower, the new symbol of Takamatsu, was completed. The Symbol Tower is in theSunport area of the city. The Symbol Tower is the tallest building in Takamatsu, and is right next to another tall building The JR Clement Hotel (formerly the ANA Clement Hotel), which is also part of the Sunport complex. Sunport Takamatsu is also connected to the ports of Takamatsu.
Takamatsu has 48 public elementary schools, 22 public middle schools and one public high school operated by the city government. The city has eight public high schools and one combined middle/high school operated by the Kagawa Prefectural Board of Education. There are also two private combined middle/high schools, seven private high schools and one national elementary, one national middle and one national high school. The Kagawa Prefectural government also operates three special education schools for the handicapped.
The main train station isTakamatsu Station, operated byJR Shikoku. Trains from here run to destinations around Shikoku, as well asOkayama Station on Honshū via theSeto-Ōhashi Bridge. The privateKotoden railway connects much of Takamatsu, with a hub and department store atKawaramachi Station, and Takamatsu-Chikko Station nearby Takamatsu Station. Buses and trains operated by Kotoden accept acontactless payment card for travel called an IruCa.[12]
Takamatsu Castle is known for using seawater in its moat and recently the old keep of the castle was successfully restored and opened for public viewing.[13]
Yashima plateau which is home to various sightseeing spots. At the base of the mountain is the open air museumShikoku Mura where aspects of regional history and culture are exhibited. On the mountain itself isYashima-ji, number 84 of theShikoku pilgrimage. At the top of the mountain there is also an observation deck which offers views across the Seto Inland Sea.
Takamatsu also acts as a hub to access various islands of the Seto Inland Sea. These include,Megijima,Ogijima,Naoshima,Teshima andShōdoshima. Since 2010, Takamatsu, along with these islands and more, has been host to theSetouchi Triennale, a contemporary art festival with many outdoor exhibitions by prominent artists from across the world.
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