The Best Things To Do And See In Kochi
One of the oldest castles in Japan, with rare architecture and incredible views. Sitting five stories high, atop a hill, your mission is to reach the top of Kochi Castle tower and stand on the lookout platform enjoying the view!
PLACES TO SEE
There is no public transport nearby but our cruise line provided free shuttle bus service from the port to the Kochi bus (approx 10 km.) terminal which is right near the Harimayabachi Bridge. The town has a Tourist Information Center set up with plenty of maps and information about the area. There are washroom facilities at the Tourist Information Office.
The shuttle bus drop off location in town.
KOCHI CASTLE - The Castle Tower, gate and 15 other structures are designated as important Cultural Properties. The castle was built in 1603 by Yamauchi Katsutoyo but was lost in the great fire of 1727. The current castle tower was rebuilt in 1749. The castle tower is a symbol of Kochi Castle and stands 18.5 meters high with three external levels and six floors. Kochi Castle is one of 12 castles in Japan with keeps, and it has the only lord's reception suite that remains in its original state. Surrounding the castle are fifteen castle structures, beautiful parks, and a picturesque moat. The keep observatory from the castle tower's top floor offers a nice view of the surrounding downtown.
Anime fans may recognize the castle from a scene in the Studio Ghibli film I Can Hear the Sea.
Harimayabashi marks the site of a tragic tale of star-crossed love set on a tiny bridge that made the Yosakoi festival Kochi's biggest annual festival.
HARIMAYA BRIDGE - The area surrounding the restored version of the old Harimaya Bridge is maintained as Harimaya Bridge Park. It includes a monument honoring the love story of Junshin and Ouma, which is featured in the Yosakoi folk song.
KOCHI YOSAKOI MUSEUM - Experience the Yosakoi Festival all year round
The yearly Yosakoi Festival is one of Kochi’s most exciting events, attracting over 20,000 dancers from Japan and across the globe for four days of energetic dance performances. Although the festival occurs every August, you can experience the lively spirit of yosakoi dancing all year round at the Kochi Yosakoi Museum.
Unlike many other traditional Japanese festivals where dance routines are fixed, yosakoi groups come up with their own choreography. As long as the dance is based on the yosakoi-bushi song and performers move forwards while holding traditional wooden clappers called naruko, all interpretations are welcome. Due to this attitude of embracing different styles, the festival music has also come to transcend genres and include not only Japanese traditional music, but also rock, salsa and even old folk-inspired rhythms!
Stop by the Kochi Yosakoi Museum anytime to learn the dances, try on some of the vibrant costumes and even make your own hand-decorated naruko clappers.
This center introduces the appeal and history of the Yosakoi Festival that originated from Kochi in 1954. A really good museum, free to enter with lots of costumes that you can try on.
KOCHI CITY CENTRAL SHOPPING STREET -Consisting of a main arcade and eight connecting shopping streets, this is the largest shopping district in Kochi. There are around 500 shops offering fashion goods, gourmet food, artwork and other items. It also includes the Daimaru department store and cafes, along a 1-kilometer stretch that runs east and west. There are many historical sites in the area, including Kochi Castle, so it's a great location for a stroll. Kochi is famous around Japan as a food town, and "tataki" seared bonito is a must-try.
KOCHI’S TRAM- The oldest trams in Japan, these streetcars currently run from Kochi-ekimae to Sanbashi-dori 5-chome and from Ino to Harimayabashi and Gomen-machi. Known by the nickname, "Toden," the "Okyaku-Densha" with retro interiors and banquet facilities are also popular.
KOCHI FOOD CULTURE AT HIROME MARKET - A couple of blocks from Kōchi Castle is Hirome Market, perhaps Kōchi’s best-known place to eat. It’s a large hall filled with stalls selling food and drink, with communal seating areas. You purchase what you want from the stalls and take it to your table to eat.
Here you can find all of Kōchi’s favourites like katsuo no tataki, nori tempura, whale, chicken, takoyaki, and all sorts of vegetables, not to mention the citrus fruit of Shikoku. You can watch katsuo tataki being prepared, with the large fish being seared over burning straw.
Entrance to Hirome Market, a popular destination in central Kochi, 2 minutes' walk from Kochi Castle, perhaps Kōchi's best-known place to eat. It's a large hall filled with stalls selling food and drink.
KATSUO NO TATAKI - is considered the soul food of Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Katsuo no tataki is a Japanese dish of seared bonito fish that's traditionally prepared by searing thick fillets over a straw fire. The straw gives the fish a smoky flavor and the dish its unique taste.
The secret to the irresistible aroma lies in the unusual searing method. The thick fillets of bonito are placed on a hand-held grill that closely resembles a pitchfork and thrust into a strong fire fed by the straw of rice plants. This draws out the aroma and flavor of the fish by searing the surface and adding the smokiness of the rice straw, while the inside is rare and melts in your mouth. This gives it a flavor that is totally different from other sashim
The bonito is is briefly seared on high heat, leaving the inside raw, captivating visitors with its unique savory flavor and texture.
Unlike regular sashimi, which is dipped in soy sauce, in Kochi katsuo no tataki , is served with ponzu , a citrus-based sauce that often includes local yuzu , and sprinkled with a dusting of salt. This makes the flavor of the bonito stand out even further. The condiments used in Kochi are also unique and include sliced raw garlic, ginger, and onions. Put a little of each condiment on top of your slice of seared bonito for a perfect mouthful.
The bonito is seared on the outside of the fish until it's dark and smoky, but leave the inside rare. It is then lightly seasoned with salt or a mixture of soy sauce and citrus juice.
My bonito tataki set lunch.
MUST- TRY KOCHI AISUKURIN (ICE CREAM)- In addition to Katsuo no Tataki, ice cream is a must-try in Kochi. The ingredients used in Kochi ice cream (citrus-type sherbets) are all carefully selected from the rich natural blessings of Japan. This cold dessert is a Kochi original. The mild sweetness and unique texture make it a beloved year-round treat. The standard flavor is banana, and it is sold under beach parasols at tourist spots and other locations throughout Kochi.
Yes, tourists are encouraged to try this ice cream during their visit. Some flavors of the ice cream include yuzu, Imo(potatoes), ginger, and Tosa tea.
KOCHI’S LOCAL SAKE - (Japanese Sake) There are currently 18 sake breweries in Kochi, and each of them makes distinctive local sake. Compared to other sake from around Japan, this sake is crisp and dry. Enjoy delicious sake, and talk with anyone, anywhere at any time. It's the Kochi way
Kochi has an international reputation for high-quality sake. It is considered the driest sake in Japan, with a clear aftertaste.
ANPANMAN MANGA STATUES - Japanese manga is not only popular in Japan, but all over the world! For anime and manga fans around the world, visiting Japan is a dream come true! A new trend among fans is to travel to the areas their favorite manga took place or was based on, or to the hometown of their favorite manga artist. Besides indulging in sushi, fans can explore areas that have inspired backgrounds and locations featured in many popular animes.
Kochi is sometimes referred to as the "Manga Kingdom" of Japan due to the large number of well known manga artists who were born here. Perhaps one of the most famous manga from Kochi is also now a popular anime: Anpanman. This is a tale of a superhero, with a red bean paste-stuffed bread for his head. Better yet, there's a museum to transport you directly into this peaceful world protected by yummy baked goods.
The story of Anpanman was created by Takashi Yanase, and it was originally published in 1973. Mr. Yanase was born in Kami City, and the prefecture built a museum to honor his characters in 1996. While it's really named the Yanase Takashi Memorial Museum, it's commonly known as the Anpanman Museum.
Manga anime character Anpanman Statue not far from Harimaiya bridge. There are many popular anime characters scattered near the cruise port in Kochi.
People in character costumes greets us in Kochi Port.