Kochi (Shikoku) Voyage Tips and guide

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Kōchi (高知) is the eponymous capital of Kochi prefecture on the Japanese island of Shikoku.

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site. Clicking on "Multilingual Information" link leads to the prefecture's tourism website.

Pint-sized Kōchi Ryōma Airport (KCZ ^IATA) has flights from Osaka-Itami, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya-Komaki and Fukuoka. Buses to Kochi station (35-45 min, ¥700) leave roughly twice an hour.

The JR Dosan Line (土讃線) runs down from Okayama on Honshu via Takamatsu and the Oboke gorge, passing through Kochi on its way to the terminus Kubokawa.

The fastest way to get to Kochi from Okayama is to take the Nanpu Limited Express train, which departs every hour. It costs ¥5990 (no cost with the Japan Rail Pass) and takes 2½ hours.

Highway buses depart for Kochi daily from Fukuoka (¥9200), Hiroshima (¥7500), Okayama (¥4100), Osaka (¥6000), Kyoto (¥6500), Nagoya (¥6600), and Tokyo (¥10200). From within Shikoku, there are buses from Tokushima (¥4000) and Matsuyama (¥4000).

You can easily visit Kochi by car.

• Enterprise Car Rental

The My-Yu Bus (MY遊バス) service runs from the north side of JR Kochi Station. Day passes are ¥1000. The bus stops at 3 locations on Mt. Godaisan (Chikurinji, Makino Botanical Garden, and the Godaisan Lookout Point) and continues on to Katsurahama.

Kochi has trams running south from Kochi Station and east-west along Route 32. Within the downtown area, it costs ¥200 per trip.

The streets are wide and traffic fairly light compared to most Japanese cities. Watch out for cyclists riding the wrong way into traffic.

• 33.560732133.5314631 Kochi Castle (高知城), 2-1-1 Marunouchi (Tram to Kochi-jo Mae), ☏ +81 888-24-5701. 09:00-17:00. Kochi Castle is one of the few original white castles in Japan. Uniquely among Japanese castles, it is the only one in which both the main keep and palace buildings have survived. Access to the castle grounds is free, and the entrance fee to enter the castle is well worthwhile. The views from the castle are spectacular. ¥400.  
• 33.561056133.5729492 Museum of Art, Kochi (高知県立美術館), 353-2 Takasu (Tram to Kenritsu Bijutsukandori), ☏ +81 888-66-8000. 09:00-17:00. Art by Japanese and foreign artists, including Marc Chagall. Noh plays are held in the museum hall. ¥350 adults, ¥250 children. 
• 33.592647133.5769853 Tosa Shrine (土佐神社). The shrine's origins are unknown but it was mentioned in both the Kojiki and Nihon-shoki, the first written records of Japanese history. Free. 
• 33.591905133.5775024 Zenraku-ji (善楽寺). It was built as a temple-shrine by Kobo Daishi, encompassing nearby Tosa Shrine, but the temple structures were all torn down in 1868 when the Meiji government ordered Buddhism and Buddhist iconography to be removed from Shinto sites. The temple wasn't rebuilt until 1929. It was not among the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage until 1990. Anraku-ji also claimed to be the 30th temple until it was made the okunoin of Zenrakuji, allowing Zenrakuji to be given the official title. 
• 33.556454133.5244935 Sakamoto Ryoma's Hometown Museum (龍馬の生まれたまち記念館), ☏ +81 88-820-1115. 08:00-19:30 (museum shop closes at 18:30). The 2-floor museum features information and artifacts from Sakamoto Ryoma, his family, and Kochi city during the days when he lived here. ¥300. 
• 33.559927133.5426876 Harimayabashi Bridge (はりまや橋). A bridge made famous by a story that took place here; a young monk had a secret affair with a woman but one day he was seen by the bridge buying a hairpin which was a telltale sign that he had a lover. Because monks were not allowed to be romantically involved with anyone, he and the woman fled together before he could be punished. The Yosakoi song, played by each dancing group in the famous Yosakoi Festival (see "Do" section), is about this event and directly names the bridg in the lyrics. The bridge is very small so it's probably only worth visiting if the story interests you. Free. 
• 33.562543133.5566637 Chikyū 33 Banchi (地球33番地). This monument was constructed at 133*33'33" East Longitude, 33*33'33" North Latitude, marking the unique spot where 33 appears consecutively in all six markers. Its name roughly means "Earth house number 33". There are only 9 other places in the world where such a thing occurs and this is the only one that can be easily reached by public transport. Free. 
• 33.543066133.5502528 Kochi People's and Liberty Museum (自由民権記念館). A museum with information about liberty and freedoms in the Tosa Kingdom and the world. ¥320. 
• 33.53836133.5883339 Hamaguchi Osachi House (浜口雄幸生家記念館), ☏ +81 88-823-9457. The house of Japan's 27th prime minister, Hamaguchi Osachi, who served from 1929 to 1931. 

• 33.500837133.5431110 Sekkei-ji (雪蹊寺), 857-3 Nagahama. The 33rd temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. 

Godaisan is a mountain in Kochi city between the downtown area and Katsurahama. It is the holy mountain where Chikurin-ji Temple was built and is also now home to one of Japan's best botanical gardens. The look-out area at the top provides scenic views over the surrounding area.

• 33.54658133.57733611 Chikurin-ji (竹林寺), 3577 Godaisan, ☏ +81 88-882-3085. 08:30-17:00. The 31st temple along the 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The temple features a quiet garden, treasure house, and iconic pagoda. ¥400. 
• 33.546587133.57789412 Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden (高知県立牧野植物園), ☏ +81 888-82-2601. 09:00-17:00. Celebrating the life and career of Dr. Makino Tomitarou, this botanical garden covers six acres with more than 1,500 plants. ¥500 adults, students free. 

Katsurahama (桂浜) is Kochi's famous coastal beach. Swimming is prohibited, but it is famous for the beautiful coastal view. Historically, it was a popular place for moon-viewing.

• 33.496984133.57360313 Katsurahama Aquarium (桂浜水族館, katsurahama suizokukan), ☏ +81 88-841-2437. A small aquarium with a variety of fish, water birds, seals, and dolphins. They also host dolphin and seal shows, along with other animals. ¥1100. 
• 33.498559133.5754914 Sakamoto Ryoma Statue (坂本龍馬像). This statue of Kochi's local hero was erected in 1933 with funding from local citizens. Because of the statue, Sakamoto Ryoma is strongly associated with Katsurahama however, in spite of dubious claims that he loved Katsurahama, there is little evidence that the place had any real connection to Ryoma. (updated Sep 2020)
• 33.496552133.57187615 Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum (高知県立坂本龍馬記念館), 830 Urado-Shiroyama. Located in Katsurahama, this museum has exhibits related to Sakamoto Ryoma. It contains many written documents, including a letter written by him just two days prior to his assassination. There are also special exhibitions. ¥500. 
• 33.497808133.57246416 Urado Castle Ruins (浦戸城). Urado Castle was once the castle of the Chosakabe family. After the Battle of Sekigahara, the castle was supposed to be handed over to the Yamanouchi family, but some Chosakabe loyalists refused to leave and fought the Yamanouchi for 3 months before being forced to surrender. The Yamanouchi only stayed here until they finished construction of Kochi Castle, after which Urado Castle was abandoned. There are very few remnants of the castle. Much of the former castle grounds are now occupied by the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum and its parking lot. There is a small memorial monument below the museum. (updated Sep 2020)

• Yosakoi Matsuri (よさこい祭り), ☏ +81 88-823-9457. Held annually from Aug 9-12. Along with the Awa Odori in Tokushima, the Yosakoi Matsuri is Shikoku's other famous festival and was actually formed out of the Awa Odori as a more modern version in 1954. The Yosakoi festival is highly energetic and all of the dance teams perform using naruko (click-clacks) which is part of the Yosakoi tradition. They also must include the Yosakoi song. 
• Sunday Market (日曜市 nichiyō-ichi). Every Sunday rain or shine, Kochi's skilled farmers and fisherman flock to the capital to present their goods. At the market you will find friendly vendors offering everything from antiques to zucchini. 

• Katsuo Bushi - Bonito flakes. This is a staple of the Japanese diet and is best in Kochi. It is used as a topping for many dishes and will surely be appreciated by a Japanese friend.

• Katsuo no tataki - This is Kochi's specialty dish and does not taste as good anywhere else! Katsuo is a type of tuna fish which in English is called Bonito. Tataki is the style in which it is prepared. The tataki style means that the fish is held over a fire and cooked only on the outside layer (3 mm to 1 cm deep), leaving the inside of the fish red and raw. After the firing it is cut into thick juicy slices that look like oversized sashimi, and served with sliced garlic and onions, shiso (a Japanese leaf with a distinct and delicious taste), some other garnish, a special sauce that may vary, and of course some fresh wasabi. Once it is at your table clutch a slice with your chop sticks along with a generous portion of the garlic, onions, wasabi etc. Take it all in one bite. Katsuo is best during the Summer and early Fall when the fish arrive off the coast of Kochi after fattening up in the tropics during the winter. Katsuo no tataki can be found in many, many restaurants throughout Kochi Prefecture, but for the cream of the crop go to Kuroson in Kochi City.
• Kuroson (黒尊) is a small sushi restaurant near Ohashi Dori, nestled in a narrow alley just behind the Mos Burger on the East West Densha Dori. On most nights you will need a reservation booked well in advance, but if you are on your own or as a couple, you might get lucky and find a spot on a week day. Ask for Shio Tataki, a specialty of Kuroson. It a variation of katsuo no tataki prepared in salt (shio), giving it an even more unforgettable taste. For the bolder among you, ask for chichiko (Katsuo hearts) as an appetizer.
• 33.55889133.5438241 Suigei-tei (酔鯨亭). 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00, closed Su. This restaurant specializes in all Kochi dishes. They serve the famous katsuo no tataki and other katsuo dishes, as well as foods from other regions of the prefecture, but what this restaurant is really known for, are its whale (kujira) dishes. They offer whale steaks (¥1575), whale bacon (¥1050), and kujira no tataki (¥1365) to name a few. 
• 33.558393133.5437692 Fujinoya (藤のや). Rated as one of the top katsuo no tataki restaurants by Japanese patrons. 
• 33.561138133.5426023 Issyun (一旬), ☏ +81 88-824-2030. M-F 12:00-15:00 (last order 14:00), Sa Su holidays 12:00-16:00 (last order 15:00); daily 17:00-23:00 (last order 22:00). A classy restaurant with excellent katsuo no tataki. Cooking course ¥3,000, 2-hour course with all you can drink ¥4,500. (updated Jul 2019)
• 33.558576133.5358144 La Vita (ラ・ヴィータレストラン). An Italian restaurant with a variety of pastas and pizzas. Main dishes ¥1000-¥1500. 

Denizens of Kochi drink a lot; see the prefecture article for the full scoop.

Gokkun-Umajimura (ごっくん馬路村) is a famous non-alcoholic drink. It is made of yuzu which is a kind of citrus fruit and is well-known product in Umajimura, Kochi. It tastes sweet-and-sour so that is easy to drink for everyone, from little children to old people. It is sold in every place in Kochi, for example supermarkets, stations and airport. It's fantastic when mixed with shochu on the rocks.

• Hirome Market. Halfway down the arcade is Hirome Market, an indoor collection of food stalls selling everything from Indian curry to fresh fish to big pitchers of beer. Patrons sit on long communal wooden tables, so it's a great place to converse with the locals. 
• 33.561142133.5408831 Kochi Horumon. 18:00-03:00. Serves all the typical beers, chuhai, etc. The ramen dishes are also quite popular. 
• 33.561371133.5423122 K's Bar, Kuzume Biru 2F, ☏ +81 88-872-8070. 20:00-00:00. Serving a nice variety of whiskey, cocktails, brandy, wine, and beers. 

• 33.565842133.5457911 Comfort Hotel Kochi (コンフォートホテル高知). Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Singles from ¥6600. 
• 33.563042133.5429452 Green Hotel Harimayabashi (高知グリーンホテル はりまや橋), ☏ +81 88-822-1800. Singles from ¥4400. 
• 33.556813133.5259943 Hotel Nansui (ホテル南水), ☏ +81 88-873-2181. Located near many of the Sakamoto Ryoma sites, the hotel contains a life-size replica of one of Sakamoto Ryoma's robes in the lobby. Rooms from ¥6500. 
• 33.563381133.5467884 Hotel Area One (ホテルエリアワン高知). Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Singles from ¥3900. 
• 33.565523133.5172525 Kochi Youth Hostel, 4-5 Fukui-higashi-machi, ☏ +81 88-823-0858, fax: +81 88-823-0859. An excellent place to stay, run by a former sake brewer who will, for ¥500, provide a sake tasting workshop. It's a 5-minute walk from JR Engyoujiguchi Station. ¥2835, meals ¥1050. 
• 33.565925133.5406436 Petit Hotel Kochi (プチホテル高知), ☏ +81 12-092-6815. Singles from ¥4000. 
• 33.561075133.5398237 Richmond Hotel Kochi (リッチモンドホテル高知), 9-4 Obiya-machi, ☏ +81 888-20-1122. A modern Western-style hotel, with clean rooms. Internet access is available at the desk or in the rooms (wired LAN). It's a 15-minute walk from JR Kochi Station. ¥10,000. 
• 33.556159133.5340728 Sansuien (三翠園), ☏ +81 88-822-0131. A nice hotel complete with its own onsen. The onsen costs ¥900 to use, and it is open tonpeople who are not staying at the hotel. Just outside the hotel is the historic Yamauchi Residence, which is free. Rooms from ¥6000. 
• 33.558294133.5495429 South Breeze Hotel (サウスブリーズホテル高知海月), ☏ +81 88-885-5050. Singles from ¥4000. 
• 33.561619133.54003410 Welcome Hotel Kochi (ウェルカムホテル高知), ☏ +81 88-823-3555. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Singles from ¥4980. 

• Ino
• Nankoku - home of the prefecture's airport and the famous long-tailed roosters
• Kami - location of the famous Ryugado Cave
• Aki - birthplace of Mitsubishi founder Iwasaki Yatarō
• Hidaka - site of the historic Omura Shrine, Saruda Cave, and ruins of Kashiwai Castle
• Sakawa - home to one of Japan's oldest archaeological excavation sites, the Sakawa Basin
• Shimanto - home to Japan's last undammed river, the Shimanto River
• Miyoshi - just north in Tokushima Prefecture, home to Oboke and Koboke and the Iya Valley
• Muroto