Come, see, and taste! Delicious specialties of Kagawa — Udon

Start with Udon

Hi, I’m TAKA!

When people hear “Kagawa” in Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is udon noodles.
That’s how deeply connected Kagawa and udon are.

The “Udon Prefecture” for a Reason

Kagawa has around 500 to 600 udon restaurants.

To put that into perspective:
Tokyo, with a population of about 14 million, has roughly 350 McDonald’s locations.
Kagawa, on the other hand, has less than 1 million people.

Even more impressively, the number of udon (and soba) restaurants per 10,000 people is more than double the national average.

This is why Kagawa is proudly called the “Udon Prefecture.”

Not Just Quantity — Unmatched Quality

It’s not just about numbers.

On Japan’s largest restaurant review site, Tabelog,
7 out of the top 10 udon restaurants in the entire country are in Kagawa.

This is something you rarely see in any other food category.
Kagawa isn’t just famous for udon — it dominates it.

Every Bowl is Different

You might think udon is just… udon.

But in Kagawa, every shop is different.

• Some noodles are chewy like gummy candy
• Some are soft and smooth like jelly
• Others are thick and bouncy like mochi
• And some have a firm, strong bite

Visitors are often surprised by how completely different each bowl feels.

Locals Have Extremely High Standards

People in Kagawa take udon seriously.

Everyone has their own favorite shop,
and when locals say “this place is really good,”
visitors — both from Japan and abroad — almost always agree.

On the flip side,
some places that tourists enjoy might be considered just “average” by locals.

That’s how high the standard is here.

Freshness is Everything

Here’s the most important point.

Udon tastes best right after it’s cooked.
As time passes, the color, texture, and flavor quickly decline.

That’s why some dedicated shops go as far as
discarding noodles just 10 minutes after cooking.

It may sound extreme,
but it reflects the chef’s commitment to serving the best possible bowl.

A True Taste of Kagawa

Udon isn’t just food here —
it’s part of the culture.

It’s something you don’t just eat,
but something you experience and compare.

If you visit Kagawa, don’t miss the chance to try authentic udon at its best.