This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Kagawa Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Shippoku Udon."

Kagawa Prefecture is located in the Shikoku region of Japan and is known as the smallest prefecture in Japan, with an area of 1,862 km².

Kagawa Prefecture is dotted with natural spots such as Chichibugahama Beach, known as "Japan's Uyuni Salt Flats," and the naturally rich island of Shodoshima.

In this article, we will provide a thorough explanation of this charming local B-class gourmet dish from Kagawa Prefecture: Shippoku Udon!

What is Shippoku Udon?

Shippoku udon is a type of warm udon noodle dish filled with ingredients that is popular in the Shikoku region, centered around Kagawa Prefecture.

Vegetables harvested from autumn to winter and fried tofu are simmered in a broth made from kelp and bonito flakes, and then served with udon noodles, a specialty of Kagawa. The sweetness of the vegetables and fried tofu comes out in the hot soup, making this a local dish of Kagawa that is perfect for winter.

"Shippoku" means "full of ingredients" or "luxurious," and is derived from the Edo period "shippoku cuisine," which refers to eclectic Japanese and Chinese cuisine using a variety of ingredients.

The history of shippoku udon

The history of shippoku udon dates back to the Edo period, when shippoku cuisine, a luxurious dish filled with ingredients that combines Chinese banquet cuisine with Japanese cuisine, was introduced from China to Nagasaki and then spread throughout the country.

At that time, influenced by this, udon noodles using plenty of ingredients were made in Kagawa Prefecture, and it is said that this led to the birth of "shippoku udon."

Originally, "Sanuki udon" was popular in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku, and shippoku udon developed as part of that. In farming communities in the Edo period, there was a custom of families and local people gathering together in the winter to cook food in a large pot, and shippoku udon was often eaten at such gatherings.

In this way, shippoku udon has come to be recognized as a traditional local dish.

Characteristics of Shippoku Udon

Shippoku udon is characterized by its high nutritional value and abundance of ingredients.

It mainly uses root vegetables and winter vegetables such as radish, carrots, burdock, taro, shiitake mushrooms, and konjac, so it can warm you from the inside out even in the cold winter.

In addition to vegetables, the dish also contains fried tofu, chicken, and kamaboko fish cakes, bringing out the sweetness and umami of a variety of ingredients, meaning you won't get bored of eating it until the very end.

Tourist spots in Kagawa Prefecture

From here, we will introduce tourist spots in Kagawa Prefecture.

Ritsurin Garden

Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan's most famous feudal gardens, located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, and is designated as a special national scenic spot. Construction of the garden began in the early Edo period, when the feudal lord of Sanuki Takamatsu began, and it took about 100 years to complete.

The grounds cover an astounding 75 hectares and feature six ponds and 13 artificial hills, creating a stroll-style garden where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.

The cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves are especially beautiful, and you can enjoy matcha tea at the historical teahouse "Kikugetsutei." It is a very popular tourist spot.

Kitahama Alley

Kitahama Alley is a redeveloped area near the port of Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, and is a fashionable tourist spot that was renovated from an old warehouse district.

The buildings, which were once industrial warehouses, have now been transformed into cafes, restaurants, galleries, and general stores, and are popular with locals and tourists alike.

It features a beautiful mix of old-world charm and modern design, making it especially popular with art and design lovers. At night, the warehouses are beautifully lit up, making them even more beautiful.

The seaside location is also an attractive feature, so why not come and enjoy a relaxing time here?

Great Seto Bridge

The Great Seto Bridge is a gigantic bridge with a total length of approximately 13.1 km that connects Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture and Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture, and has been used as a key transportation route across the Seto Inland Sea for over 35 years since it opened in 1988. Its magnificent appearance connecting the islands in the Seto Inland Sea blends beautifully with the surrounding natural scenery.

It is one of the largest double-decker bridges in the world, famous for having a motorway on the upper level and a railway on the lower level.

The Great Seto Bridge is also a popular tourist spot where visitors can enjoy the scenic views of the Seto Inland Sea, with six bridges of various sizes connected together. Even today, the Great Seto Bridge continues to play a major economic and cultural role as an important transportation route connecting Shikoku and Honshu.

Access to Kagawa Prefecture

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Kagawa Prefecture, we recommend flying. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get from Haneda Airport to Takamatsu Airport.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Kagawa Prefecture, we recommend using the Shinkansen and train. Take the Nozomi, Sakura, or Mizuho Shinkansen from JR Shin-Osaka Station to JR Okayama Station. From there, you can transfer to the Marine Liner to JR Takamatsu Station. The journey takes about 2 hours.

Location of Kagawa Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced Kagawa Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Shippoku Udon."

We discovered that shippoku udon is packed with ingredients and highly nutritious, making it the perfect udon dish to warm you from the inside out even during the cold winter months.

We also mentioned that Kagawa Prefecture has many tourist spots rich in nature as well as stylish tourist spots that are perfect for photos.

We hope you will all visit the charming Kagawa Prefecture!

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