Discover Tadotsu: Harbor, Temples, and Island Culture

Tadotsu brings together the history of a sheltered harbor, temples, historic houses, and islands accessible by ferry. Tadotsu-chō developed early around a natural, well-protected harbor. Across the municipality, the picture ranges from cultural heritage in town to the settlements and landscapes of Takamijima and Sanagijima. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus mainly on history and culture or include the islands as well.

Harbor and Ferry Routes to the Islands

Ferries run from Tadotsu Harbor to Takamijima and Sanagijima. The trip to Sanagijima goes via Takamijima and takes about an hour. Tickets are sold at the entrance to the ferry terminal, which has a waiting room; there is no parking there. Check the latest operating information and timetable before your trip. If the islands are part of your plans, factor the ferry connections into your choice of holiday rental and your wider itinerary.

Temples, Museum, and Tadotsu’s History

The Tadotsu Town Museum was established to mark the 100th anniversary of the town administration. It primarily collects materials about cultural properties and other subjects related to Tadotsu, displays them to the public, and preserves them for future generations. At Dōryūji, you can encounter another aspect of local history: the temple belongs to the Shingon school of Buddhism and is the 77th temple on the Shikoku Hachijūhakkasho pilgrimage route. It is also known for Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing. According to tradition, the image is believed to have the power to cure eye diseases.

The former Gōda House, also known as Shimaya, was the residence of Gōda Fusatarō, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Tadotsu. This group of wealthy merchants contributed to the development of Tadotsu’s modern industry. The house was built from the Taishō period through the early Shōwa period and is the only surviving residence of the seven merchants. The Gōda family built and furnished the large residence over three generations. It is a tangible cultural property of Tadotsu Town and part of Japan Heritage’s Kitamae Ships: Ports and Shipowner Settlements. Since fiscal year 2025, it has been opened irregularly by the Gōda-tei Fan Club, including for events such as the Tadotsu Cherry Blossom Festival and summer festivals. Check opening dates before your visit.

Shorinji Kempo also originated in Tadotsu-chō: Sō Dōshin founded this practice for personal development in 1947. Every October, the headquarters there holds the Daruma Festival, which commemorates Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen. Nabe-horu is also part of the local food culture: around 1957, a long-established yakiniku restaurant developed the dish as an inexpensive meal for employees of the former Tadotsu Works of Japanese National Railways. It consisted of nabe-horumon, with udon added at the end.

Cherry Blossoms, Island Settlements, and Scenery

About 1,500 Somei Yoshino cherry trees grow in Momoryo Park. Azaleas and wisteria bloom in spring, bush clover in autumn, and camellias in winter. From the observation tower, you can see the Seto Inland Sea and ships entering and leaving the harbor. The park’s landscape has been included in the Kagawa New 50 Scenic Views and Kagawa Greenery 100 selections. The cherry trees and seasonal flowers offer a different perspective from the islands’ settlement history.

Takamijima retains an old settlement with closely spaced houses, narrow lanes, and irregularly stacked stone walls, as well as the Ryōbo-sei burial custom. Under this custom, Ume-baka and Mairi-baka are separate graves. In the Ura district, stone walls were built to create a settlement on the steep slopes; it lies on a slope of about 30 degrees, with tall stone steps climbing upward like a staircase. Ryūōzan on Takamijima is 297.3 meters high. A shrine stands on the mountain, where festivals are held to pray for rain and a good catch. The Ryōbo-sei burial custom is also preserved on Sanagijima.

The places described offer different ways to experience the area: temples and historic houses tell of Tadotsu’s religious and economic past, while the islands offer a distinctive focus on their settlement patterns and customs. When choosing a holiday rental in Tadotsu, it is therefore worth first deciding whether your plans will focus more on cultural sites or ferry trips to the islands.

Discover more destinations: Takamatsu, Manno, Shozu District, Naoshima, Higashikagawa, Sakaide, Nishishirakata, Mime.

For the main travel overview: Kagawa Prefecture.