10 Hours on Japan’s First Class Overnight Train | 🇯🇵 Sunrise Express

Upon arriving at Takamatsu Station, known as 'Udon Station,' I set out to find a unique udon shop for breakfast, as many don't open until later. I found a place that was open and decided to try it. I ordered the Curry Udon and Tempura for ¥530, which was perfect for warming up on a chilly morning. It came with a generous amount of scallions.

After breakfast, I enjoyed a peaceful walk through Ritsurin Garden, a special scenic spot in Takamatsu. The plum and cherry blossoms were already in bloom, adding to the beauty. The water in the ponds was so clear that the fish appeared to be levitating. I visited Hiraiho Hill, an artificial mountain designed to resemble Mt. Fuji, which offers the best viewpoint in the park. I also stopped at Kikugetsu-tei Teahouse, a popular resting spot built almost 400 years ago, to enjoy matcha and sweets. The sweets were delicious, and the matcha was less bitter than expected.

For lunch, I decided to brave the long line at Uehara Udon, a highly popular udon restaurant. I ordered their most popular dish, the 'Kashiwa Ten Udon' for ¥1000, which features chicken tempura and dipping udon. The noodles were incredibly chewy, and the kashiwa (chicken) tempura was exquisite and juicy. It was clear why this place had such a long line.

My last stop in Takamatsu was Tamamo Park, located just across from Takamatsu Station. This park is built around the ruins of Takamatsu Castle, which was one of Japan's three major water castles. While the castle itself is now a ruin, the park still offers beautiful views, including boats in the moat and a well-preserved turret. The historical atmosphere is quite impressive.