Kochi Travel Guide

The former castle town of historic Tosa province, Kochi is a modern city of some 320,000 on Shikoku's Pacific coast. The prefecture itself bears the brunt of many typhoons and sees heavy rain compared to the relatively dry Inland Sea coast of Shikoku. Historically considered an isolated and rugged region, Tosa was famous for its independent spirit and rough nature. Kochi prefecture, and even Kochi city proper to some extent, has retained some of that reputation.

The star attraction of the city is Kochi-jo, a small, original castle perched atop a hill near the town center. Most of its buildings and fortifications were destroyed in the anti-feudal fits of the Meiji Restoration. From the intact donjon, visitors can get great views over Kochi. An original gate, Ote-mon, has been preserved at the foot of the hill. East of the center is the mountain park of Godai-san-koen. Chikurin-ji, founded in 724 and the 31st of Shikoku's famed 88-temple circuit, sits nearby.

Around 13km south of Kochi is the beach area of Katsura-hama. The area is also home to an aquarium and the Kochi Prefectural Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, dedicated to a key player in the events of 1867. The nearby Tosa Token Centre offers an opportunity to witness some of the region's famous fighting dogs in action. Back in town, Otesuji-dori is home to a bustling Sunday market that's worth visiting.

Kochi's Yosokoi Matsuri, held August 9th through the 12th, offers a more low-key version of Tokushima's popular Awa Odori.