[Couple's Trip] Chasing Slowpoke to Kagawa Prefecture | Slowpoke Park & Udon Tour

This time, I will introduce the couple's trip we took before our little one was born.

Kagawa Prefecture and Slowpoke

The name of this account, "Yadonchu", comes from the phrase "a person like Slowpoke", and I had always wanted to go to Kagawa Prefecture, where Slowpoke is revered!

Udon Prefecture PR Team

In 2018, Kagawa Prefecture appointed Slowpoke as the "Udon Prefecture PR Team," and they have been rolling out wrapped public transportation and collaboration merchandise.

…I knew that, but when I arrived at Takamatsu Airport, Slowpoke was everywhere!

It wasn't just a superficial PR stunt; I felt an atmosphere of coexisting and prospering together with Slowpoke throughout the entire city!

Slowpoke merchandise (souvenirs)

Here are some of the Slowpoke goods I picked up on this trip…

Slowpoke Udon.
The Slowpoke on the package is cute.
And the udon noodles inside are also Slowpoke-colored.

Slowpoke Sanuki Udon.
The design really hits home for the original generation of Pokémon fans.

Slowpoke Tail Potato.
These are potato snacks flavored with udon broth.
…Wait? Isn't the Slowpoke tail something Team Rocket tried to sell for 1 million yen (hush

Going to Slowpoke Park

And in 2023, "Slowpoke Park" opened in Ayagawa, about 30 minutes by car from Takamatsu.

Where is the second parking lot?

The official parking lot only has 18 spaces and gets crowded easily, and
there were signs at the site for a 'second parking lot'...

'Huh? Did we already pass it?'
'There was only a funeral hall, right?'

As we said that and turned back,the funeral hall's parking lot (80 spaces) was a partner 'second parking lot'.

If you are going by train, you can take the Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad (Kotoden) from Takamatsu-Chikko Station to Ayagawa Station, which takes about 40 minutes, and it is a 5-minute walk from Ayagawa Station.

Various Slowpoke playground equipment

In the park, children were playing energetically, and there were also a few adults like us who came specifically for Slowpoke, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

And, as I used for the top image of this article...

I am using this Slowpoke face for my note icon (Yaan?

By the way, we visited in December, but the winter climate in regions bordering the Seto Inland Sea, including Kagawa Prefecture, is relatively mild, so we were able to walk around the park without feeling too cold.

Eating Udon

Now, once you are satisfied with Slowpoke, let's go eat some udon.

If you limit yourself to one serving (small) per shop and don't eat too much tempura, I think you can visit 3 to 4 shops in a day.

Teuchi Udon Tamura (Ayagawa)

It is located about 4km from Slowpoke Park, a 10-minute drive away.

There were no signs saying "Entrance here" or "Open," and just as I was feeling a bit hesitant, a pair of people who looked like tourists came out, so I thought, "Alright!" and went inside.

I was immediately greeted with a "Yes, it's self-service!," and it is a
true self-service style where you go to the kitchen to pick up your order.

For 250 yen for a small (one serving), you can enjoy authentic Kagawa udon, price included.

Maeba Udon (Kurikuma)

Next, about 5km from Slowpoke Park and a 10-minute drive away, this is a repeat shop that Mr. Slowpoke visits frequently.

You order at the counter, pay, and then eat at your seat in the so-called "self-service style", where you pour the "kake" broth yourself.

Also, their "age" (fried tofu) is said to be the best in the universe, and it is a masterpiece you must try at least once.

Udon Baka Ichidai (Kawaramachi)

Back in downtown Takamatsu, the third shop is this one, famous for its "Kama Butter" udon.

I wasn't sure about the parking situation beforehand and was debating whether I should return the rental car first, but there were multiple parking lots around the shop, so it wasn't a problem.

This shop is known as the birthplace of "Kama Butter Udon," where you can enjoy a carbonara-like flavor by mixing butter, raw egg, and black pepper into piping hot udon noodles.

As a famous shop, there always seems to be a line, but at this time, there were about 10 people in line inside, and the wait was about 15 minutes.

Summary

In this post, I introduced our trip to Kagawa Prefecture as a couple.

We rented a car and spent about five hours visiting Slowpoke Park and three udon restaurants, and we also stopped by a roadside station, enjoying a relaxing time.

This trip was our last getaway just the two of us, taken during a short break from fertility treatment.

Someday, I hope to go back to Kagawa Prefecture, this time as a family of three!