In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Sanuki
Spend a half‑day to one full day in Sanuki to visit a pilgrimage temple, the beach park and Yakushiyu Onsen; stay only if you need a base for nearby Takamatsu.
Sanuki is a small city in Kagawa with easy access by train (Shido Station) and bus. Its main draws are three 88‑pilgrimage temples, a coastal sand‑and‑pine park, and a cold mineral onsen reachable by community bus. All sights cluster within a 5‑km radius, so one day is enough unless you prefer a relaxed onsen stay.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–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 ¥4,000–6,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥6,000–9,000 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.
Get in
By air
- TAK · Takamatsu Airport
- JR Kotoku Line to Shido Station, about 30 min
Typical fares
- Shido Station → Takamatsu Airport (JR Kotoku)
- about ¥1,200, 30 min (check)
- Nagao Station → Yakushiyu Onsen (community bus)
- about ¥600 round‑trip (check)
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
Most sights are walkable; community bus from Nagao Station reaches Yakushiyu Onsen (≈30 min). JR Kotoku line and local buses connect to Takamatsu and surrounding towns.
See and do
Known for
- Shidoji Temple (86th pilgrimage site)
- Nagao Temple (87th pilgrimage site)
- Okubo‑ji Temple (88th pilgrimage site)
- Matsubara beach and pine park
- Yakushiyu Onsen
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Takamatsu | JR Kotoku line Shido → Takamatsu, about 20 min | ≈30 min |
| Marugame | JR Kotoku line Shido → Marugame, about 15 min | ≈25 min |
| Naoshima | JR Kotoku to Takamatsu, then ferry 50 min | ≈2 h |
| Shodoshima | JR Kotoku to Takamatsu, then ferry 40 min | ≈2 h |
| Kotohira (Konpira Shrine) | JR Kotoku line to Kotohira Station, about 30 min | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Sanuki City centre (near Shido Station)
- Walking distance to temples, park and bus stop for onsen; suitable for one night if you want a quiet base.
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 bus stop? | バス停はどこですか？basu tei wa doko desu ka |
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
- Temple opening hours vary seasonally; check the local tourist site.
- Community bus runs limited times on weekends; confirm schedule.
Sanuki is generally safe for tourists; stay alert during summer typhoon rains and watch traffic when crossing busy streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sanuki yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shidoji Temple (86th pilgrimage site)
- Nagao Temple (87th pilgrimage site)
- Okubo‑ji Temple (88th pilgrimage site)
- Matsubara beach and pine park
- Yakushiyu Onsen
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Sanuki city official site: www.city.sanuki.kagawa.jp/
- Sanuki tourist association (Japanese): sanuki-kanko.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Sanuki, revision 4873752 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4873752
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/sanuki). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.