Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Takamatsu is a city located in the Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku Island. It is known for its beautiful gardens and proximity to art museums on the Setouchi coast. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 420,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 60 Mbps, with fiber optics widely available in urban areas. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.0067 USD. Major banks include Sumitomo Mitsui, Mizuho, and MUFG, with ATMs widely available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include SoftBank, NTT Docomo, and AU. Prepaid SIM cards are available at local electronics stores. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Mobile payment options include PayPay and Line Pay. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include traditional Ryokans, serviced apartments, and modern hotels. Airbnb is also widely available. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted in shops and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and HomeAway offer numerous short-term rental options in Takamatsu. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Takamatsu, which offers dormitory-style rooms starting at ¥2,500. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | City Center and near Ritsurin Garden for easy access to attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The areas around Takamatsu Station are convenient for coworking spaces and cafes with good internet. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Takamatsu Coworking Space, located near the city center, offers a vibrant work environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Coffee no Kuni, known for its good ambiance and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups are hosted at Takamatsu City Hall for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat Meetups organized through local Facebook groups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | JapanTaxi and Uber operate in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycle rentals are available through Kagawa Rent-a-Cycle. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Yashima Beach, approximately 30 minutes away by public transport. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | JAL (Japan Airlines) operates flights from Takamatsu Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | All Nippon Airways (ANA) and JAL have international flights from Takamatsu. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to the Takamatsu Expressway connects to the rest of Shikoku. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Takamatsu Station serves as the primary hub with connections to Okayama and Hiroshima. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Kagawa Prefecture offers a variety of passes for unlimited bus and train travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Takamatsu to nearby cities like Matsuyama and Kochi. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Kagawa Prefectural Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogaterie offers classes with a variety of styles and levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and Gold's Gym are popular choices among locals. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin laundries are widely available, such as Coin Laundry Chame. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Demae-can are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sanuki Udon, a thick wheat noodle dish native to Kagawa Prefecture. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Takamatsu has several vegetarian-friendly cafes like Cafe Hachikuzai. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Yaki Imo ya, known for its delicious sweet potato desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Takamatsu's Matsuya Department Store for budget shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercari and Rakuten are well-used online marketplaces in Japan. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Local grocery stores provide delivery services; major options include Aeon and Gyomu Super. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Nishi Takamatsu is a popular area for nightlife, with many bars and izakayas. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Kagawa Brewing Co. offers a variety of local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Bar Kongo, known for its selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Local festivals often feature street food stalls selling takoyaki and yakitori. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Spaghetti House Mamma Mia serve Italian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Ritsurin Garden, a traditional Japanese garden dating back to the Edo period. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Kagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History hosts various exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Takamatsu Castle, a historic site with beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cherry Blossom Temple, a notable local temple with stunning gardens. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Takamatsu Sanuki Festival, celebrating local culture every summer. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Takamatsu Art District features numerous galleries and artist studios. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Kagawa Prefectural Cultural Hall hosts performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Kagawa’s Omotesando Street offers local food products and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like Tsubaki Hall host local bands and performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals around the city contribute to its vibrant urban landscape. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Takamatsu Cooking School offers classes focused on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Shikoku Gallery showcases local artists and crafts. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Takamatsu Bank is an architectural landmark in the city. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Sanuki Folk Museum highlights the region's traditions and crafts. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Shikoku Karst offers stunning views and hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Setonaikai National Park is accessible and showcases beautiful coastal scenery. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Shikoku Pilgrimage route is popular with hikers and cyclists. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Yashima provides panoramic views over Takamatsu and the Seto Inland Sea. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The shores of Takamatsu are great for observing migratory birds. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Yashima is known for its open areas suitable for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Japan Post and Yamato Transport provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local stores like Kakaku provide good tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Takamatsu Table Tennis Center is a popular hangout. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like JCLI offer Japanese language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Takamatsu City Library is a quiet place for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Takamatsu International Exchange Center organizes events for expats. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Konami Arcade offers a variety of gaming options. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No casinos are in the immediate vicinity; several gaming halls exist. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥10,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥180,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥7,200,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥230,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥13,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥160,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥9,600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥220,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥17,600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥150,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥12,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 23.2% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% for non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income, with progressive rates. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for high-income earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% consumption tax. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, with regulations for controlling corporations in foreign jurisdictions. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax applies based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% standard rate. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Japan has bilateral tax treaties to avoid double taxation for digital nomads. |