The aim of this study is to examine the ability of the bile acid analogues obtained by chemical modification of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for TGR5 activation. Eleven UDCA analogues including 3- or 7-methylated UDCAs and amino acid conjugates were investigated as to their ability to activate TGR5 by means of the luciferase assay. It was noteworthy that 7α-methylated UDCA, namely 3α,7β-dihydroxy-7α-methyl-5β-cholanoic acid, had a significantly high affinity for and ability to activate TGR5 as compared to UDCA. Additionally, FXR activation ability of 7α-methylated UDCA was low relative to that of UDCA. However, other modification of UDCA, such as the introduction of methyl group at its C-3 position and oxidation or epimerization of hydroxyl group in the C-3 position, could not elicit such remarkable effect. The present findings would provide a useful strategy for the development of TGR5-selective agonist.