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Shikoku is famous for its pilgrimage course of 88 temples associated with Kukai, a Buddhist priest active in the ninth century, and it has long been a local practice to offer gifts of food to the pilgrims—fondly referred to as O-henro-san—who walk their way from one temple to the next. The Takamatsu custom, according to one tradition, is to give udon, noodles made of wheat flour, salt and water. Udon is a traditional Japanese food eaten in just about every household. The noodles are usually boiled and served in a broth made of soy sauce, dried bonito soup stock, and boiled kelp. In recent years, Takamatsu’s local version, Sanuki udon, has become especially popular throughout Japan. People come from all over the country to savor the local fare for themselves.
Whether devout pilgrim or udon-loving tourist, people will continue to come to Takamatsu, just as they have for centuries. And with each visitor come new cultural trends that keep this attractive city vibrant and vital. |
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| O-henro-San pilgrims dressed in white walk their way to each of the famous 88 sacred sites of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. |
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| A local specialty, Sanuki udon, is famous throughout Japan. Fast-food shops offering tasty and cheap udon line the streets. |
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