Sanuki Province — former province of Japan (now Kagawa Prefecture)

Geography and economy

Sanuki lay on the northeastern edge of Shikoku and had an extensive frontage on the Seto Inland Sea. Its relatively small land area and maritime access shaped local life: fishing, coastal trade and salt production were important elements of the economy. The fertile lowlands supported agriculture, while deeper cultural ties developed around local foods and crafts; the region is widely known today for its distinctive udon noodles and coastal produce. The province corresponds to modern Kagawa Prefecture and the island setting is part of Shikoku's geography.

History and administration

Under the ancient ritsuryō codes Sanuki functioned as a provincial unit with its own provincial capital (kokufu) and administrative offices. Over centuries the structure changed: aristocratic estates, military governors, and later feudal domains reshaped local governance through the Kamakura, Muromachi and Edo periods. With the Meiji Restoration and the abolition of the han system in 1871, the old provincial boundaries were reorganized into modern prefectures; Sanuki's territory became part of the new prefectural system that evolved into present-day Kagawa.

Cultural significance and legacy

Sanuki's identity survives in cuisine, place names and cultural practices. The region has long been associated with a particular style of udon noodle—often called Sanuki udon—and with coastal festivals and maritime traditions. Several temples and shrines that lay within the province continue to attract visitors, and some pilgrimage routes on Shikoku include sites in the old Sanuki area. The city of Takamatsu, now the prefectural capital, grew as a regional hub on these historical foundations.

Notable facts and borders

• Alternate name: Sanshū (讃州).
• Modern equivalent: Kagawa Prefecture.
• Island: Part of Shikoku.
• Borders: Historically bordered other provinces to the south and west (see provincial border maps), including Awa Province and Iyo Province.

Today the name Sanuki continues to be used in regional brands, place names and cultural references, linking contemporary residents and visitors to the area's long history within Japan's provincial system.