Since early times, Sanuki udon has been a staple food for local households. Sanuki Udon is characterized by the firmness of its noodle, and there are various varieties including shippoku udon and uchikomi udon, which are made with seasonal vegetables and meat. A particularly sumptuous take on Sanuki udon is olive beef udon, which brings together the excellence of beef from olive-fed cattle and a premium local wheat called Sanuki no Yume.
Two relatively recent innovations in the grand traditions of Sanuki cuisine are olive yellowtail. Look also for Sanuki San Fruit, locally branded fruits that have been cultivated for sweetness. One other Kagawa dish incorporating seasonal ingredients that must be mentioned is kankan-zushi, sushi made with spring Spanish mackerel caught in the Setouchi area.
In addition to the clear waters of the Kinokawa River, the development of local agriculture owes much to chagayu, or tea rice porridge, which has long been a staple of local fruit farmers. This hearty dish is a harmonious blend of rice and the pleasant bitterness of the tea. Also called okaisan, tea rice porridge has been handed down as a local tradition with deep roots on the Kinokawa dinner table.
Many visitors are drawn to Shikoku to walk the pilgrimage route, which provides time for serious reflection and contemplation. The many attractions of Sanuki are also great additions to your social media feed and will leave your followers astounded.
Visit local farms to buy the region’s famous fruit, or even pick it yourself while enjoying the beauty of the orchards. Purchase not only jam, but a variety of innovative fruit products such as sushi, pasta, and dessert confections, all made with local fruit. Events are held to provide nutritional education, particularly about fruit, and to promote the many benefits that fruit offers.
There are many fun activities to enjoy in the Sanuki area, including making Sanuki udon noodles.
Make sure to also visit Kokawadera Temple to see its rock garden filled with eye-catching arrangements unlike any other garden in Japanese.
Sozuri hot pot In the Tsuyama dialect, “stripping off the fine meat of ribs and streaks” is called “sozuri”. The meat of bone soba is tender, soy sauce-based soup stock with local vegetables such as tofu, CSozuri hot pothinese cabbage, and green onions, and is a popular menu with plenty of umami. It also has different cuts of beef and each gives you a unique texture.
As expected, in Kinokawa you can try all kinds of fruit-related experiences like picking fruit and making jam, but there is much more to explore and experience!
A charming townscape that retains the ambiance of the castle town of Tsuyama. Located on the east side of the castle town of Tsuyama, facing the old Izumo Road, is the Joto Machinami Preservation District. The area is lined with buildings that retain the look of the past, featuring distinctive namako walls, “sodekabe” (wing walls), and “mushikomado” (latticed windows). Notable spots include the Sasu Joto Yashiki with its striking fire lookout tower and the Joto Mukashi Machiya, where townhouses built during the Edo period are preserved. The remnants of the castle town can also be felt in the small alleys, each with its own name. In 2013, the area was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
