Situated on the north coast of Shikoku, Sanuki has always had good links to the main islands. Although it is not a wealthy province, its quarries can be a major economic asset. Kukai, the founder of the Shingon branch of Japanese Buddhism, was born and raised here, while the deity of scholarship, Sugawara no Michizane, wrote much of his poetry while governing Sanuki. The province also claims to be the first to adopt udon, the famous noodle dish. Today, Sanuki is the Kagawa prefecture, and is home to one of Japan's most beautiful traditional gardens.