A community hub where locals and guests connect. “kawasakike,” a slightly nosy inn, has opened.

Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, is packed with attractions: Marugame udon with its firm texture; the “Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum” located in a shopping district lined with bookstores and cafes; and easy access to Naoshima.

In Takamatsu, there’s a slightly overbearing inn called “kawasakikewas born.

The inn is run by the Kawasaki couple, who spent many years working in PR and visual merchandising at a select shop in Tokyo. Taking the pandemic as an opportunity, the two left Tokyo and moved to Kagawa Prefecture, where they knew no one. Inspired by the warmth of the people and the beauty of the local landscape—from conversations with locals to sunsets over the harbor—they decided to become communicators who share the charms of Kagawa from a newcomer’s perspective, which ultimately led to the opening of their inn.

Their goal is to become a local hub where locals can drop by casually and where natural interactions with guests take place. The key to this is the slightly overbearing yet caring nature of the owner couple, who live under the same roof as their guests. Precisely because we live in an era of increasing digitalization where connections with others are growing weaker, they place great importance on deliberately bringing the local community and guests together.

The building is a renovated traditional Japanese house. The project was undertaken by “UM,” an architecture and design collective based in Tokyo and Brussels, which updated only the interior while leaving the exterior unchanged to blend in with the neighborhood.

The first floor features a gallery shop and common space. Products and artworks favored by the owner couple, along with “kawasakike” souvenirs, are naturally displayed as part of the daily living environment.

The second floor features a private guest room. Soft light streams into this space, which retains the charm of a traditional Japanese house. Open the window to enjoy a luxurious view that takes in both the ocean and the mountains. As the sea breeze flows in, you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some relaxing time here.

Why not take a trip around Kagawa, using “kawasakike” as your base? By the way, the article we published the other day...This articleHere, we’ll introduce you to many unique shops in Takamatsu. We hope you’ll find this guide useful when you visit Takamatsu.