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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Higashikagawa
東かがわ
One day is enough: arrive by train, visit Hiketa Castle ruins and the History Museum, try wasanbon at Sanshu Izutsu, then rest.
Higashikagawa is a small city on Shikoku’s eastern edge. The JR Kotoku Line gives easy access, and the main sights (Hiketa Castle ruins, History & Folk Museum, glove museum, and hands‑on wasanbon workshops) fit comfortably in a half‑day to full‑day schedule. Overnight stays are only for travelers who want a relaxed pace or to combine with nearby Sanuki.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 東かがわ
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–7,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥7,000–10,000 excl. bed · High ¥10,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ¥300–¥500 |
| Sanuki udon bowl | ¥500–¥800 |
| Wasanbon sugar making (30 min) | ¥750 |
| Glove museum entry | Free |
| Local bus ride | ¥210–¥340 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TAK · Takamatsu Airport
- Shuttle bus to Takamatsu Station about 40 min; from there JR Kotoku Line to Higashikagawa (≈30 min).
Typical fares
- JR Kotoku Limited Express (Hiketa ↔ Takamatsu)
- about ¥1,500 one way (check)
- Hotel AZ single room
- ¥4,950 per night
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
JR Kotoku Line (Limited Express Uzushio stops at Sanbonmatsu, also at Sanuki‑Shirotori and Hiketa). Walk between stations and sights; most attractions are within 10‑15 min walk from Hiketa Station.
See and do
Known for
- Hiketa Castle ruins
- Higashi‑Kagawa History and Folk Museum
- Kagawa Gloves Museum
- Wasanbon sugar making at Sanshu Izutsu House
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sanuki | JR Kotoku Line east ~15 min | ≈30 min round trip |
| Takamatsu | JR Kotoku Line west ~30 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Hotel AZ Kagawa Higashi‑Kagawa
- Business hotel near the station; single rooms ¥4,950.
- Oiso Ryokan
- Traditional ryokan; meals +2 meals ¥6,500, breakfast ¥5,200, no meals ¥4,500.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| I would like to try wasanbon | わさんぼんを作りたいですwasanbon o tsukuritai desu |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Check Uzushio timetable for stops at your chosen station (Sanbonmatsu, Sanuki‑Shirotori, Hiketa).
- Museum and glove museum are free but have limited opening hours; confirm before visiting.
Generally safe; watch for traffic when crossing streets near stations, and keep an eye on belongings on trains.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Higashikagawa yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Hiketa Castle ruins
- Higashi‑Kagawa History and Folk Museum
- Kagawa Gloves Museum
- Wasanbon sugar making at Sanshu Izutsu House
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Higashikagawa local tourist association: higashikagawa.net/
- Wikidata – Higashikagawa: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Higashikagawa, revision 5006601 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5006601
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/higashikagawa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.