Isamu Noguchi Museum and Japanese Sweets Workshop by Car

Isamu Noguchi, a 20th-century sculptor, was known for his extensive work, which included monuments, environmental design such as gardens and parks, furniture and lighting interiors, and stage art. In 1956, Noguchi first visited Mure Town in Kagawa Prefecture, a region known for its aji stone. From 1969, he established an atelier and residence in this area between Mt. Goken and Yashima, where he devoted himself to his creations in partnership with stone artist Masatoshi Izumi, while traveling back and forth to New York. This garden museum displays over 150 sculptures.

Mt. Yashima is a roof-shaped lava plateau famous as the historic battlefield of the Genpei War. It is home to the Yashimaji Temple, founded by Ganjin Osho, and is the 84th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. From the mountaintop, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the calm Seto Inland Sea and its islands, including Shodoshima and Naoshima. The area is also known as one of the venues for the Setouchi Triennial Art Festival.

Shikoku Mura Museum Shikoku Village spans approximately 50,000㎡ and features 33 traditional houses and historic buildings, primarily from the Shikoku region, that have been relocated and restored. Among them are nationally designated cultural properties such as the Kono family residence and a sugar press hut. Surrounded by seasonal flowers and nature, the facility exhibits many folk tools alongside historic architecture, allowing visitors to reflect on the lives of the past and appreciate the wisdom and ingenuity of their predecessors. In addition, the facility introduces cultural traditions, such as decorations for seasonal festivals and New Year's celebrations, that are cultivated within the lifestyle of the 24 solar terms. The Shikoku Village Gallery, designed by architect Tadao Ando in 2002, houses works of art by Picasso, Bonnard, and others, as well as Oriental artifacts.

Japanese Sweets Workshop Mamehana is located a 5-minute walk from Kotoden Hanazono station. At this shop, you can experience making authentic Japanese sweets such as Wasanbon and Nerikiri using traditional "Kashikigata" (wooden confectionery molds). The Wasanbon and Nerikiri made with Kashikigata, which feature intricate designs inspired by Japan's seasons, nature, and flora and fauna, are so beautiful that they feel too exquisite to eat.