Marugame, Japan

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Marugame, Japan

Region: Kagawa

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Geographic Coordinates: 34.283300, 133.800000

Climate: Marugame has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The rainy season is from June to early July, and typhoons can occur from August to September.

Population: 109165

Language: Japanese

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Marugame is a city located in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, On the island of Shikoku. With a population of about 110, 000 people, It is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, Ancient temples and delicious udon noodles. Marugame Castle is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Built in 1597 as a fortress and stronghold for many years, Visitors can now explore its grounds and learn about its rich history. Kotohira-gu Shrine is another must-see attraction that dates back to the 8th century. The shrine features several buildings with intricate architectural details.

Visitors can climb over 1, 000 steps to reach Konpira-san Mountain Observatory for stunning views of the surrounding area. Udon noodles are Marugame’s famous local specialty dish – thick wheat flour noodles that are boiled until they are soft but slightly chewy. Many restaurants throughout the city serve this dish with various toppings such as tempura or sliced beef. Besides cultural attractions and culinary delights, Marugame also offers natural wonders worth exploring like Seto Inland Sea National Park which boasts breathtaking views of islands dotted throughout calm waters.

For those interested in shopping or nightlife activities, Marugame has plenty to offer with numerous shops selling traditional Japanese crafts or modern fashion items plus bars that stay open late into night offering entertainment options like karaoke rooms. Overall, Whether you’re looking for history buffs or foodies alike there’s something special waiting for everyone in this charming Japanese town!

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1. Marugame Castle
2. Kotohira-gu Shrine
3. Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art
4. Konpira Grand Theatre (Kanamaruza)
5. Mizuhiki Crafts Museum of Japan
6. Nakamura Memorial Museum
7. Yashima-ji Temple
8. Kotohiragu Shrine Okusha (Inner Shrine)
9. Zentsu-ji Temple
10. Marugame Municipal Museum

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1. Marugame, Japan is famous for its production of ceramics, specifically porcelain.
2. The city houses several prominent ceramic manufacturers like Marubeni Corporation and Noritake Co., Ltd.
3. Furthermore, it has a substantial agricultural industry that produces crops such as rice, wheat, and vegetables.
4. Other significant industries in Marugame include metalworking and machinery manufacturing.
5. Additionally, the city’s tourism sector is growing due to its historical landmarks and picturesque views of the Seto Inland Sea.

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1. Marugame Castle is a notable historical landmark in Marugame, built in 1597 by Ikoma Chikamasa.
2. Kotohira-gu Shrine is a famous Shinto shrine located in the town of Kotohira, which is part of Marugame City.
3. Matsudaira Tadateru was an important daimyo who ruled over Marugame during the Edo period and played a significant role in developing the region’s economy and culture.
4. Takamatsu Matsuri is an annual festival held in Takamatsu, featuring parades, music performances, and traditional dances.
5. Kamada Kojiro was a renowned painter from Marugame who specialized in traditional Japanese art styles like ukiyo-e and nihonga.
6. Ishizuka Tatsumaro was a prominent businessman from Marugame who founded several successful companies including Ishizuka Glass Co., Ltd., which became one of Japan’s largest glass manufacturers.
7. Oyama Sutematsu was born in Kagawa Prefecture (where Marugame City is located) and became one of Japan’s first female university graduates when she graduated from Vassar College in 1887.
8. Yashima-jinja Shrine Battle took place near Yashima-jinja Shrine during the Gempei War (1180-1185) and is famous for the legend of Benkei, a warrior monk who fought alongside Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

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1. Marugame Castle is a historic castle built in the 17th century and it features a museum and observation deck.
2. Nakamura Memorial Museum is dedicated to the life and work of poet Nakamura Tempu.
3. Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art showcases contemporary Japanese and international art.
4. Kotohira-gu Shrine is a Shinto shrine that is famous for its long staircase leading up to the main hall.
5. Konpira Grand Theatre is a traditional Kabuki theater that has performances throughout the year.
6. Sanuki Folkcraft Village displays traditional crafts from the Sanuki region, including pottery, weaving, and woodworking.
7. Takamatsu Castle Ruins Park contains ruins of an ancient castle with beautiful gardens that offer views of the surrounding area.
8. Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan’s most famous historical gardens, designated as Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
9. Yashima-ji Temple situated on top of Yashima mountain which offers panoramic views over Kagawa prefecture.
10. Kagawa Prefectural Cultural Hall hosts concerts by world-renowned artists throughout the year in its concert hall.

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1. Marugame City FC – Founded in 1978, Marugame City FC is a local football club that competes in the Kagawa Prefecture League.
2. Marugame Judo Club – Established in 1926, the Marugame Judo Club has produced several renowned judo athletes over the years.
3. Marugame Athletic Club – The Marugame Athletic Club was founded in 1948 and has teams for various track and field events.
4. Sanuki Triathlon Team – Based in Marugame, the Sanuki Triathlon Team participates in triathlon events across Japan.
5. Kotohira-Gu Taiko Drumming Group – Though not technically a sports team, the Kotohira-Gu Taiko Drumming Group from nearby Kotohira frequently performs at sporting events and competitions throughout Kagawa Prefecture, including those held in Marugame.

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1. Marugame Uchiwa Matsuri (Marugame Fan Festival)
2. Marugame Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
3. Shikoku Pilgrimage (Henro) in Marugame
4. Marugame Genpei Jidai Festival (Samurai Battle Reenactment)
5. Kagawa Prefecture Citizen’s Cultural Festival in Marugame
6. Setouchi Triennale Art Exhibition in Marugame
7. Kotohira-gu Shrine Grand Autumn Festival in nearby Kotohira town, which is also part of the same region as Marugame.
8. Takamatsu Kagawa Marathon, which starts and finishes at the nearby Tamamo Park and runs through parts of the city of Marugama.
9. Sanuki Film Fest, which showcases local films from Kagawa prefecture including some that are shot on location around the city of Marugama.
10. Maruoka Hachiman Shrine Autumn festival – a smaller local festival held annually at a shrine within the city limits with traditional dance performances and food stalls selling local delicacies like udon noodles and fried tofu skewers called agetama.

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1. Sanuki Udon – This is a type of thick wheat flour noodle that originated in Kagawa prefecture, where Marugame is located. There are many udon shops in Marugame that serve this delicious dish.
2. Tempura – Another popular dish in Marugame is tempura, which consists of battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables.
3. Takoyaki – These are small balls of batter filled with diced octopus and other ingredients, then topped with sauce and mayonnaise.
4. Sushi – There are several sushi restaurants in Marugame that offer fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea.
5. Izakaya – These Japanese-style pubs serve a variety of small dishes to accompany drinks such as sake or beer.

Some recommended restaurants to try include:

1. Yamadaya Udon (山田家うどん) for their delicious Sanuki udon noodles.
2. Tempura Hirai (天ぷら平井) for their crispy tempura.
3. Takoyaki Kukuru (たこ焼きくくる) for their tasty takoyaki.
4. Sushiyoshi (すしよし) for their fresh sushi.
5. Izakaya Katsuo-ya (居酒屋かつおや) for their cozy atmosphere and variety of dishes to share with friends over drinks.

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1. Marugame Castle Park is a historic park that features a castle, moat, and cherry blossom trees.
2. The Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art is an art museum that displays exhibitions of contemporary Japanese and international artists.
3. Marugame Athletic Park is a large sports complex with soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and more.
4. Seto Inland Sea National Park is a national park that offers breathtaking views of the sea and islands along with hiking trails and beaches for swimming.
5. Kotohira-gu Shrine is a famous shrine located on top of Mount Zozu dedicated to the god of seafaring and commerce.
6. Yashima Plateau offers scenic views overlooking the city with hiking trails and panoramic views.
7. Sanuki Folk Craft Museum showcases traditional crafts from the Sanuki region such as pottery, weaving, and lacquerware in a museum setting.
8. Marugame Seaside Park is situated along the Seto Inland Sea coastline offering waterfront amenities like playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing spots as well as walking paths for visitors to enjoy.

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