Introducing recommended local information on Kochi Prefecture. Kochi Prefecture offers tourist attractions such as the Shimanto River, Kumano Shrine, and Mt. Ibuki; sightseeing events such as the Kumano Shrine Festival, Yosakoi Festival, and Shimanto River Ultra Marathon; and local delicacies such as kanzashi, bonito tataki, and bonito flakes.
Kochi Prefecture was ruled by the Chosokabe clan during the Warring States period and by the Yamauchi clan during the Edo period. And at the end of the Edo period, the clan played an important role in the Meiji Restoration, producing such aspirants as Ryoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka, as well as Manjiro Nakahama (John Manjiro), who went to America after being caught in a storm while out fishing.
There are many related tourist attractions such as the Ryoma History Museum and the Nakaoka Shintaro Museum, so visitors can get a taste of the history of those days by touring these facilities.
In August, Kochi Prefecture is very lively with the Yosakoi Festival, one of the three major festivals in Shikoku. The Yosakoi Festival is held in the form of a parade, with dancers dancing to music composed by Eisaku Takemasa.
The dancers put their own creative spin on their costumes and makeup, and the music is arranged in a variety of ways to entertain tourists.
In addition, many movies and TV dramas are set in Kochi Prefecture, and the filming locations are also tourist spots.
Kochi Prefecture can also be enjoyed for its food. Local dishes such as Tosa-zukuri (bonito sashimi), bonito tataki, utsubo tataki, and sarabachi dishes are made possible only by the freshness of the fish. There are also B-grade gourmet foods such as nabeyaki ramen (ramen noodles simmered in chicken broth in an earthen pot) and miso katsu ramen, making Kochi Prefecture a gastronomically satisfying place to visit.
Tosa washi paper, which has been presented to the emperor, is also famous, and wrapping materials made from this paper are sold here. The end of a trip is a souvenir, but why not wrap it with Tosa Washi when you give it to someone?
Ishizuchi, the highest mountain in western Japan, this 27-km route winds along a ridge between 1,300 and 1,700 meters above sea level. On a clear day, you can see not only the Ishizuchi mountain range but also Tosa Bay in a series of dynamic views. The route also offers a variety of views unique t...»
The Niyodo River is a beautiful river with a unique blue color that can only be seen here, which is described as "Niyodo blue.It is a 124-km long first-class river flowing from Ehime to Kochi prefectures, and boasts the best water quality in Japan. The river is so clear that one can see 40 meters a...»
Kochi Castle was completed by Kazutoyo Yamauchi, who became the feudal lord of Tosa. The entire castle site is designated as a national historic site and is a prefectural historical park. The castle was built in 1601....»
Located on the Nakatsu River, a tributary of the Niyodo River, Nakatsu Valley is a beautiful valley with fresh green and autumn leaves. There is a 2.3 km-long promenade along the blue "Niyodo blue" river, which weaves through large rocks and crosses the river many times on stone bridges. After abo...»
The valley is known for its clear, blue river called "Niyodo Blue" and the most beautiful autumn foliage in the prefecture. It offers good views of the upper reaches of the Yasui River, the Chihirokyo Gorge, and the Horaizan Observatory. Plenty of places to seeHiryu Falls, named for its two-tiered...»
The Shimanto River is the largest river in Shikoku with a total length of 196 km. There are sightseeing boats along the Shimanto River. Ayu (sweetfish), mullet, black sea bream, sea bass, and other fish can be caught frequently....»
Katsurahama is a sandy beach located at the tip of Urato Peninsula in Kochi City, between Ryuoh Cape and Ryuto Cape. It is one of the most scenic spots in Kochi Prefecture, and is sung in the Yosakoi-bushi folk song, "Katsurahama Beach is famous for its moon. The five-colored sands and green pine ...»
Mysterious blue waterfall basin, the setting of a legend of a beautiful girl and a giant snake. Located on the Edagawa River, a tributary of the Niyodo River, this pool is a sanctuary of the beautiful and fantastic Niyodo blue. It is said that the same blue color cannot be seen throughout the year....»
Located in Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park, Tatsugushi Bay, home to coral and gorgeous tropical fish, was designated as Japan's first underwater park in 1970. The water temperature is high at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius even in winter, and the transparency is stable, attracting many divers from all over...»
Tosa Shrine is the oldest shrine in Tosa, and is surrounded by over 200 year-old cypress and cedar trees, and has a tonbo style hall of worship. The shrine was built between 457 and 479. As described in "Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan)" and "Tosa Kuni Fudoki (Tosa Province Fudoki)" (anecdotes), i...»
Connected to land by a bridge, this resource-rich island attracts divers from all over Japan. There are also ocean cruise boats and glass boats for those who want to enjoy the sea to the fullest. Odou Beach and Monkey Park are also nearby....»
This garden was created by reproducing "Monet's Garden" in Giverny, France, which is famous as the garden loved by Monet, the master of Impressionism. ...»
This botanical garden is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Tomitaro Makino, a world-renowned botanist born in Kochi. The garden has about 3,000 species of plants related to Dr. Makino, 58,000 items from the Makino Collection, a greenhouse, and other facilities. Most of the approximately 3,000 plant s...»
The southernmost cape in Shikoku, with a white lighthouse towering over the cliffs where the rough waves of the Kuroshio Current break on the shore. The gently arcing horizon reminds us of the roundness of the earth.The lighthouse stands on a 70-meter cliff. Around the lighthouse, there is a prome...»
The venue is Irino Beach and Irino Pine Barrens. There are no buildings, and the nature of the 4-km-long beach and pine barrens is used as a single art museum. Here, the sea, the beach, and the blue sky are the works of nature as they are. Creative events are held throughout the year, including a ...»
A 4-km-long limestone cave, 1 km of the East Main Cave is open to the public out of the three caves.About 100 species of cave animals inhabit the caves. The mysterious caves, where limestone has been eroded away over the past 175 million years, have been designated as a national natural monument an...»
This used to be eaten on new year’s eve of the luna calendar. The name “toshikoshi meshi” turned to “koshi meshi” later. It is enjoyed during this time of year because it is the season of unprocessed nori seaweed. The flavor and fragrance can be fully enjoyed. Unprocessed nori seaweed is called meno...»
“Hama azami” is a kind of thistle that grows naturally around the shore or Muroto cape. People have been eating this locally since long ago. The good taste and fragrance of hama azami have spread is popularity and it is now becoming more popular after Japanese restaurants started serving hama azami ...»