Dog-Friendly Ferry to Shodoshima Island at Takamatsu Port, Kagawa

A Clear Morning at the Port — Best Way to Start a Trip

We arrived at Takamatsu Port ferry terminal a little early on the morning we were heading to Shodoshima Island. Instead of just waiting around, my wife, my French Bulldog Elmo, and I decided to take a slow walk around the terminal before boarding. Good call.

The sky was completely clear, the morning air was fresh, and we were both holding convenience store coffees — that kind of easy, unhurried morning that just feels right. There’s something about that “the trip is finally starting” feeling that I never get tired of.

The terminal in morning light looked genuinely beautiful. Crisp, open, full of that pre-adventure energy. I got some of my favorite photos of the whole trip right there, before we even stepped on the boat.

About Takamatsu Port Ferry Terminal

Takamatsu Port is located in Sunport, Takamatsu City, in Kagawa Prefecture — on the northeastern tip of Shikoku island. The Shikoku Ferry route from here to Tonosho Port on Shodoshima Island takes under an hour, and ferries run frequently throughout the day, so it’s easy to use even without planning too far ahead.

One of the best parts for dog owners: this is a car ferry. You drive your car right onto the boat, which means no unloading luggage, no fuss — just drive on, cross the sea, and drive off on the island. For a trip with a dog, that’s a huge plus.

Reviews online often mention things like “decided to go to Shodoshima last minute and was surprised how quickly we could get on a ferry.” It really is that kind of relaxed, accessible terminal.

Access & Basic Info

Address	Sunport 8, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone	Not listed
Hours	Varies by ferry schedule — check the official site
Parking	Available (vehicles boarding the ferry go directly to the terminal)
Official Site	Shikoku Ferry (official)

What It Was Actually Like

Arriving Early and Walking the Terminal

The plan was simple: get there a bit early, walk around, enjoy the morning. And it worked out perfectly. Elmo was in a great mood, trotting along beside us in the cool air. My wife and I sipped our coffees, took our time, and just soaked it in. It was one of those mornings where everything feels easy and good.

Driving Onto the Ferry

When it was time, we got back in the car and joined the line of vehicles waiting to board. There’s something weirdly exciting about driving your car onto a ferry — I always get a little giddy about it. Elmo, on the other hand, was wide-eyed and looking around in every direction as we rolled on board. That “wait, where are we going??” expression on his face was absolutely priceless.

Elmo Was Not a Fan of the Open Deck

After parking, we brought Elmo up to the deck near the ferry’s sign. At first he seemed fine — the sea breeze, the open space, all good. But the moment I picked him up to show him the view over the railing, he started trembling. Like, really trembling.

He used to shake a lot when he was a puppy, but he’s grown out of that for the most part. So seeing him go full-tremble mode again was a bit of a surprise. Was it the wind? The rocking? The fact that there was water everywhere he looked? Hard to say. Probably all of it.

For most of the crossing, he stayed low — tucked under a table, not wanting to be held, definitely not wanting to go near the front or back of the boat. Ferries are apparently not his thing. Noted.

The Views Were Worth It (For Us, At Least)

While Elmo was hiding under the table, my wife and I were eating convenience store sandwiches and watching the sea go by. It was genuinely lovely. My wife isn’t great on boats — she doesn’t love the rocking — but she came along anyway because, well, Shodoshima requires a ferry. No way around it.

Watching Takamatsu Port slowly shrink into the distance behind us, I had that full “we’re actually traveling” feeling wash over me. I love being on the water. The views from the ferry were just stunning.

Highlights & Things to Know

What I Loved

The morning walk before boarding — Getting there early and strolling the terminal was genuinely one of the best parts of the morning. Clear sky, sea air, coffee in hand. It set the perfect tone for the trip.

Great photos happen here — Morning light at a ferry terminal is underrated as a photo spot. That “adventure is starting” atmosphere comes through in every shot. I’d recommend building in some extra time just for this.

Car ferry is ideal for dog owners — Driving straight onto the boat and off the other side means no hassle with luggage or carriers. You can keep your dog comfortable in the car during boarding and just bring them up to the deck when you’re ready. Really convenient.

Worth Knowing

Some dogs won’t love the ferry — Elmo was nervous the whole crossing. The rocking, the wind, the height — something about it got to him. If your dog is sensitive to motion or new environments, it’s worth being prepared for that. It’s a short ride, but it might feel long for a stressed pup.

Final Thoughts

Takamatsu Port ferry terminal ended up being one of my favorite moments of the whole Shodoshima trip — and that’s before we even got to the island. Arriving early, walking around in the morning light, watching Elmo look completely baffled as we drove onto the boat — it all came together into a really good start to the day.

If you’re planning a trip to Shodoshima with your dog, the car ferry from Takamatsu is absolutely the way to go. Frequent departures, under an hour crossing, and you keep your car the whole time. Elmo may have spent most of the ride hiding under a table, but honestly, that’s just part of the story now.

▶ Official Site (Shikoku Ferry): https://www.shikokuferry.com/route2