Takamatsu serves as the capital city of Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan. Situated in central Kagawa within the Takamatsu Plain, which forms part of the larger Sanuki Plain, the municipality occupies a gentle slope that extends toward the Seto Inland Sea to the north. This geography creates a semicircular urban area centered around Takamatsu Port and the adjacent Takamatsu New Port. The city acts as a primary gateway for transportation between Shikoku and Honshu, leveraging its strategic coastal location.

Historically part of ancient Sanuki Province, the area functioned as a vital port and pilgrimage gateway during the Heian and Kamakura periods. Ikoma Chikamasa constructed the first Takamatsu Castle in 1588, and the subsequent Takamatsu Domain was ruled by the Matsudaira family from 1642 until the Meiji restoration. The modern city was established on February 15, 1890, with borders expanding through annexations. It suffered significant destruction during a World War II bombing raid in July 1945 before recovering and gaining core city status in 1999.

The urban landscape features the Sunport complex, anchored by the Symbol Tower, alongside the historic Ritsurin Garden, designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Takamatsu Castle, known for its seawater moat, has seen the restoration of its old keep for public viewing. The northeastern Yashima plateau offers observation decks and the Shikoku Mura open-air museum. The city also includes small inhabited islands in the Seto Inland Sea and serves as a hub for accessing nearby islands like Naoshima and Teshima.

Takamatsu is widely recognized as the Udon Kingdom due to its cultural association with the noodle dish, while also earning the nickname Gateway to Shikoku. It hosts the Setouchi Triennale contemporary art festival and features literary connections to works by Haruki Murakami. Visitors explore the city through its railway network, including the Marine Liner rapid train from Okayama, and utilize local IruCa contactless payment cards. The area supports various sports teams and offers access to the Shikoku pilgrimage sites.

As of 2020, the population was recorded at 417,814 residents. The economy relies heavily on branch offices for nationwide companies and national government agencies, with major employers including Shikoku Railway Company and Tadano. Transportation links include Takamatsu Airport with domestic and limited international flights, plus extensive rail connections via the Seto-Ōhashi Bridge. The city experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters, receiving heaviest rainfall between May and September.