On the western side of Kagawa Prefecture lies Kanonji, a laid-back coastal city along the Seto Inland Sea. Travelers come for its highlights—Chichibugahama Beach and its mirror-like tides, the scenic viewpoints around Kotohiki Park, historic pilgrimage temples, and local food traditions such as Sanuki udon.
Set within this easygoing coastal area, Kamenoi Hotel Kanonji offers a comfortable stay. The hotel’s sea-view rooms and close proximity to major sights make it a reliable base for visiting Kanonji and Kagawa’s key destinations.
Here’s how to make the most of your time in the region.
Explore Kagawa’s historic gardens and castles
Kagawa is home to some of Shikoku’s most impressive landscaped gardens and historic castle sites. Start with Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated daimyo (feudal lord) gardens and a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the country’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Here, a dramatic outline of Mt. Shiunzan forms a natural backdrop, giving the garden a strong sense of scale. Ritsurin also features ponds, bridges, and landscaped hills positioned throughout a broad strolling route.
A boat ride on the garden’s ponds provides a different perspective, with boatmen sharing insights into its history and seasonal changes. After the ride, many visitors stop at Kikugetsu-tei, a traditional teahouse where matcha or sencha can be enjoyed while overlooking the garden’s calm scenery.
From here, it’s easy to continue to Marugame Castle, another highlight that showcases a different side of Kagawa’s history and landscape. The castle is known for having the tallest stone walls in Japan and the smallest castle keep. Despite its compact size, the keep offers excellent views of Marugame city and the Seto Inland Sea. The castle’s unique sliding loopholes, once used for defense, can only be seen here.
Visit iconic shrines and spiritual sites
From the garden and castle areas, it’s an easy progression to Kagawa’s major shrines, where the focus shifts from scenery to spiritual heritage. Kotohira Shrine, or more familiarly Konpira-san, one of Kagawa’s most iconic spiritual sites, is famous for its lively approach filled with food stalls, souvenir shops, and small local attractions. Reaching the main shrine takes a climb of 785 steps, then continuing on to the inner shrine brings the total to 1,368. Those who make the ascent are rewarded with sweeping views of the Sanuki Plain and the Seto Inland Sea.
Visitors can also find the exclusive Tengu omamori talisman and kamiyo-ame, a traditional candy sold only within the shrine grounds. The candy comes with a small wooden mallet used to break it apart, symbolizing the sharing of blessings and good fortune.
Another major spiritual site in the region is Takaya Shrine, known for its hilltop “Torii in the Sky.” The hike from the outer shrine takes about 50 minutes and includes steep, uneven sections, so proper footwear is recommended. The summit area is compact but offers self-service vending machines for goshuin (red stamps) and amulets, along with a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and Kanonji City. A weekend shuttle bus normally provides access.
See more scenic highlights
The city of Kanonji also offers impressive coastal scenery and culturally significant sites that are easy to visit in the same trip. The Zenigata Sand Sculpture is a massive artwork said to have been created overnight during the Edo period (1603-1868) to welcome a visiting feudal lord. It is believed to bring good health, long life, and financial fortune to those who see it. While visitors can walk near the sculpture, its full shape is visible only from the elevated Zenigata Observatory at the top of Kotohiki Park.
While the Zenigata Sand Sculpture highlights Kanonji’s cultural heritage, Chichibugahama Beach showcases its natural coastal beauty. Often compared to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats, the beach is famous for its shallow tidal pools that create perfect mirror-like reflections at low tide. The beach has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations in the World, reflecting both its natural beauty and the community-led efforts that protect it.
Taste local flavors
Kagawa is known across Japan for Sanuki udon, and Kanonji has several well-loved places to try it. Kamakiri Udon offers a nostalgic cafe-like atmosphere with photogenic toppings, while Ootaki Udon is a long-established local shop that fills with regulars at lunchtime. Sitting at the counter also gives diners a chance to watch the kitchen at work—and sometimes see noodles being prepared fresh. These restaurants reflect the everyday udon culture of the region, where firm noodles, high-quality broth, and simple toppings come together in satisfying bowls.
Explore nearby pilgrimage sites
Kanonji is located along the historic Shikoku Pilgrimage, or Shikoku Henro, a route connected to the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai). Pilgrims have walked these paths since the Edo period, seeking reflection, spiritual cleansing, and moments of connection with local communities. Many describe the journey as rewarding not only for its spiritual significance but also for the warm encounters along the way. shikoku pilgrimage route
Five pilgrimage temples are located close to Kamenoi Hotel Kanonji: Temple 66 Gogozan Senju-in Unpenji (accessible by ropeway), Temple 67 Komatsuo-zan Fudoko-in Daikoji, Temple 68 Shippozan Jinne-in, Temple 69 Shippozan Kannonji, and Temple 70 Shippozan Jiho-in Motoyamaji. Each site from the Shikoku Pilgrimage route close to the hotel offers a distinct atmosphere and can be visited on foot or by car, giving travelers a meaningful look into one of Shikoku’s most enduring cultural traditions.
Make your stay count at Kamenoi Hotel Kanonji
Kamenoi Hotel Kanonji provides a comfortable, well-located space that complements the pace of the region. Here’s everything you can enjoy during your stay.
Guest rooms with views
The hotel’s guest rooms offer calm, open views that reflect the character of the region. From the main building, you can see the cityscape of Kanonji, the Seto Inland Sea, Ibuki Island, and even the distant Shippo mountain range. These wide, gentle vistas create a sense of space and quiet that pairs naturally with the hotel’s relaxed hilltop setting, offering a calm contrast to city accommodations.
Inside, the hotel’s guest rooms are designed to offer both flexibility and comfort, with a rare mix of Japanese and Western layouts that suit a wide range of travelers. From spacious tatami rooms for groups to thoughtfully appointed Western-style rooms for couples or solo guests, each space balances functionality with a calm aesthetic, allowing guests to choose how they relax while enjoying the same sense of quiet and openness found throughout the property.
A limited number of guest rooms also feature private baths, offering an elevated level of comfort and privacy. This exclusive option allows guests to enjoy the therapeutic qualities of the hot springs in a relaxed, personal setting, adding a quiet sense of luxury to the overall stay.
Indoor and open-air baths
The hotel’s Hagami Onsen is located on the first floor and features a spacious public bath with wide garden-facing windows that create an open, airy atmosphere. Guests can enjoy two types of baths—one with natural hot spring water and one with regular heated water—to experience the subtle differences in texture and warmth.
Two open-air bath styles are also available, with men’s and women’s areas alternating daily: Kotone no Yu, a compact outdoor bath inspired by the Zenigata Sand Painting and complemented by the soft sound of a suikinkutsu ornament modeled after the Kan’ei Tsuuho coin; and Madoka no Yu, a bamboo-themed bath where the cylindrical open-air design beautifully frames the night sky, allowing guests to gaze up at the sky and enjoy a soothing sense of openness. It’s truly an ideal place to unwind and relax. The spring water itself is drawn from approximately 1,200 meters underground, gentle on the skin, known for retaining heat well, and has a slight silky texture that leaves your skin feeling smooth after bathing.
Dining with local ingredients
The hotel’s restaurant highlights the flavors of Kagawa with seasonal dishes and local ingredients prepared with care. Dinner features a seasonal kaiseki course. Guests can enjoy specialties such as Sunset Tofu inspired by the Seto Inland Sea sunset, which has a pale pink hue from the use of mentaiko (spicy cod roe), giving it a subtle seafood flavor that makes it especially delicious; fresh sashimi paired with Kanonji awase shoyu; grilled Spanish mackerel with sansho pepper; and lightly seared Pacific saury, among others.
There’s also Olive Pork from Kagawa Prefecture, served in a lightly salted hot pot alongside an udon. Raised on feed containing olive byproducts rich in antioxidants such as oleic acid and polyphenols, the pork develops a subtly sweet, clean-tasting fat and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, with very little of the strong odor often associated with pork. Simply seasoned with salt, the dish allows the natural flavor of the meat to take center stage.
Rice dishes like maitake mushroom rice and red miso soup with locally-grown eggplant bring the meal to a satisfying finish. Depending on the season, large, plump kinchaku-shaped Mitoyo eggplants grown in Kanonji or the neighboring city of Mitoyo are used for these dishes. They are known for their thin skin and exceptionally soft, juicy flesh, which becomes wonderfully melt-in-your-mouth tender when cooked.
Breakfast is served buffet-style, with a wide variety of regional dishes and local ingredients filling the dining venue. It comes with Sanuki udon, served with iriko broth made from dried sardines caught on Ibukijima, the island visible from the hotel. The udon originated in Kagawa Prefecture, known for its firm bite and springy texture, offering a smooth, satisfying slurp and a pleasantly chewy, “mochi-like” mouthfeel. Guests can enjoy Sanuki udon as is or customize it into curry udon or the local shippoku style.
Other offerings include udon-dashi chazuke, rice served with a light udon broth; ganmodoki, a fried tofu fritter made by a neighborhood tofu maker; shiso wakame, wakame seaweed from Shodoshima seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, and shiso seeds; shoyu-mame, roasted broad beans simmered in a sweet-and-savory soy sauce, sugar, and chili peppers, and often enjoyed as a comforting, home-style dish in the Sanuki region; kinpira takuan, prepared by desalting well-aged pickled daikon and stir-frying it in oil; kashiwa-ten, Kagawa-style chicken tempura made with marinated chicken breast for a lighter yet flavorful finish; and Sanuki bara-zushi, a local style of scattered sushi known for its gently sweet seasoning, prepared at the hotel using a recipe passed down from the chef’s grandmother.
Dishes made with ingredients from local shops are also available, including ganmodoki (fried tofu fritters), bonito tataki, and unique croquettes filled with domestic chicken. These kid-friendly options are especially popular with families.
Modern shared spaces
The lobby features lighting inspired by the iconic Zenigata Sand Painting, adding a subtle local touch to the entrance. The corridor leading from the lobby to the hot spring is designed with a high atrium ceiling and glass walls, creating an open, bright space filled with natural light.
Local souvenir shop
The hotel’s souvenir shop offers several of the local food selections served at breakfast, letting guests bring home the flavors of Kagawa. Popular items include iriko dashi packs, shiso wakame from Shodoshima, shoyu-mame, and locally made Sanuki udon—simple, well-loved products that make easy souvenirs.
Getting to and around Kanonji
Getting to Kanonji from major cities is straightforward, and travelers from Tokyo have several convenient options. By air, flights from Haneda Airport to Takamatsu Airport take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. From Takamatsu Airport, Kanonji can be reached by train or car in approximately 1.5 hours, making air travel a quick and efficient choice.
Traveling by rail also offers a smooth and comfortable journey. From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido–Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station (about 3.5 hours), then transfer to the JR Seto-Ohashi Line or Marine Liner to cross into Shikoku, continuing on the JR Yosan Line to Kanonji Station (about 1 hour and 10 minutes). While the route requires a transfer, connections are well coordinated and the journey is relaxed. Alternatively, you can travel by a direct limited express on the JR Yosan Line, which takes you there without any transfers (approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Okayama Station).
Along the way, visitors can enjoy exploring Kagawa’s iconic sights, including the historic strolling landscapes of Ritsurin Garden, the hilltop views from Marugame Castle, and the atmospheric approach to Kotohira-gu Shrine. Together, these stops offer a rewarding introduction to the region before continuing on to Kanonji.
Travelers coming from the Kansai region will find the journey even simpler. From Osaka, the trip to Kanonji is much shorter than from Tokyo—about 45 minutes by Shinkansen to Okayama, followed by a limited-express JR Yosan Line connection of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Once in Kanonji, getting around is straightforward. From Kanonji Station, the hotel can be reached in about 10 minutes by taxi. Many of the city’s key spots, such as Kotohiki Park, the Zenigata Sand Sculpture, and nearby dining areas, are only a short ride away.
2-Day Kagawa Itinerary
A sample two-day itinerary allows travelers to explore most of Kagawa’s highlights with ease. On Day 1, arrive at Takamatsu Airport and travel by car to Ritsurin Garden, a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty, before continuing on to Marugame Castle and the historic Kotohira-gu Shrine. After sightseeing, proceed to Kamenoi Hotel Kanonji for the night. On Day 2, depart the hotel and visit the Zenigata Suna-e “Kan’ei Tsuho” sand drawing, followed by Takaya Shrine’s main sanctuary and the reflective shoreline of Chichibugahama Beach. The journey could conclude with a stop at Kamagiri Udon before returning to Takamatsu Airport, offering a well-paced introduction to Kagawa’s landscapes, history, and local culture.
Overall, Kanonji is easy to explore, with a layout and pace that make moving between sights comfortable and stress-free. Attractions are spread out just enough to feel varied yet remain easy to reach, giving travelers flexibility to plan a full itinerary or enjoy slower, spontaneous outings.
