One of Shikoku Island’s 4 prefectures hosts a number of the finest out of doors experiences you may get in Japan. Here are 13 issues to do in Kochi for a splashing good time!
If you’re inquisitive about this elusive Japanese metropolis in Shikoku Island, don’t merely Google ‘Kochi’. I did that previous to the journey solely to turn into extra confused — why on earth would a Portuguese palace be inbuilt Japan? That was once I realised I used to be photographs of Kochi, like, the town in Kerala.
Search ‘Kochi Japan‘ instead and you’ll uncover a totally totally different, and barely much less bamboozling digital surroundings — unspoilt inexperienced nature, feudal-era castles, and an virtually extreme quantity of Sakamoto Ryoma statues. Oh, and that’s as a result of he helped overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and launched Western beliefs to Japan, which earned the Kochi-born samurai the Sir Stamford Raffles therapy.
So what makes this one prefecture of Shikoku Island’s “Big Four” value visiting?
While Tokyo and Osaka could have 1,000 issues to do, Kochi wins in its huge mountainous land, crystal-clear blue rivers the place folks frolic in, and a inhabitants solely 15% of Singapore’s. Where else are you able to discover a place this quiet and low-key?
Most folks not often consider Kochi as a result of a shinkansen takes seven hours from Tokyo, and one of the best ways to get there’s by flying in from Haneda Airport. But that’s what makes this highway much less travelled an genuine, countryside Japanese expertise away from the crowds for individuals who search it.
Up for exploring Kochi’s nice outside in Shikoku Island? Here are 13 issues to notice in your vacation plans:
1) Water sports activities in Japan’s clearest rivers
Canoeing! Kayaking! Canyoning! Whitewater Rafting! Snorkelling! There are so many sorts of river sports activities you possibly can have a splash at in Kochi, it’s an adventurer’s… moist dream. The better part is you get to do it down a few of Japan’s finest rivers. The Niyodo River is rated the perfect water high quality in Japan, the Yoshino River is tremendous clear, and also you gained’t discover a clearer stream in Japan than the Shimanto River.
Unfortunately, most working corporations can solely communicate Japanese, however HappyRaft (ハッピーラフト), opened by an Australian, has English-speaking guides and gives excursions from half to 3 days lengthy for rafting, canyoning, or each (kid-friendly excursions obtainable too)!
You can learn extra about their actions at their English web site. The charges embody tools and insurance coverage (lunch included for full-day excursions).
Cost: From ¥5,000 (~S$50)
Opening Hours: 8AM – 6PM
Meeting Point: 221-1 Ikadagi, Otoyo-cho, Nagaoka-gun, Kochi, Japan 789-0157
2) Whale-watch from as shut as 50m
Get up shut with dolphins, in addition to Bryde’s and toothed whales on boat excursions out on the Pacific Ocean! You’ll be introduced out on native fishing boats, which permit swift manoeuvres to get to express factors the place the whales are. In truth, the boat will get you simply 50–100m away from the whales to seize these majestic mammals up shut.
Each tour takes no less than 4 hours, and whereas there’s the danger that the whales could not present up in any respect, no refunds are given however corporations like Ogata Whale Watching will hand out comfort postcards.
Just just like the river sports activities, most working corporations could not provide English-speaking guides (although you should still hop on these boat excursions simply to see the whales). To discover out extra, seek the advice of the closest tourism info centre on the prepare stations, or the Kochi Ryoma Airport.
*Note: Tour durations range throughout the years, and run from mid-April to mid-October
Ogata Whale Watching (大方ホエールウォッチング)
Cost: ¥6,000 (~S$60)
Tour Times: 10AM. 8AM, 12PM slots obtainable on weekends; 8AM, 1PM slots obtainable on PHs
Meeting Point: Irino Port (入野漁港), Irino, 入野227−ロ ビルA 1F, Kuroshio-chō, Hata-gun, Kōchi-ken, Japan 789-1931 ; 20-minute stroll from JR Tosa-Irino Station
3) Grill your individual Katsuo no Tataki
That’s scorching. And the outcomes are horny. At Tosa Tataki Dojo (土佐タタキ道場) you will have the uncommon likelihood to grill your individual Kochi specialty dish, the Katsuo no Tataki — a hunk of bonito fish roasted with straw for a minute, earlier than it’s reduce thickly and served 90% uncooked within the center. No longer sashimi, but probably not aburi.
It’s powerful to search out bonito served like this elsewhere in Japan too. I’ve tried all types of uncooked fish, however this was my first time making an attempt precise bonito fish. Usually, the closest you’d get is the dashi broth in udon, or bonito flakes on high of takoyaki.
When you arrive at Tosa Tataki Dojo, the primary ground is a memento store promoting all the things bonito, and accompanying jarred sauces. Tell the entrance workers you’d just like the “Warayaki Taiken Ryoma Zen” (藁焼き体験龍馬膳), and also you’d be led upstairs to the grilling station. You’ll be handed a speared chunk of bonito, do the roasting (warning: you’ll actually really feel the extreme warmth, however just for a minute), then hand it to a chef by the aspect who’ll slice it up for you, earlier than you sit on the precise restaurant to savour the meal.
*Note: The Warayaki Taiken Ryoma Zen is simply obtainable for big group orders (min 10 pax). Opt for the Katsuo Tataki Teishoku (¥1,600, ~S$16) as a substitute if you happen to’re visiting in smaller teams.
And it’s so inexpensive. The lunch set with the grilling expertise and an assortment of sides (above) with rice and miso soup is simply S$25. There are a number of methods to get pleasure from Katsuo no Tataki — with salt, garlic, grated yuzu, wasabi, ponzu sauce or yuzu-infused vinegar.
Cost: ¥2,000 (~S$25)
Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 3:00PM
Address: 201-2 Niida, Kochi-city, Kochi Prefecture 781-0112
4) Venture down the 150-million-year-old Ryuga Cave (龍河洞)
The limestone Ryuga Cave is thought to inhabit cavemen from as early because the Yayoi period (300BC – 300AD), however was solely found in 1931. The total cave is 4km lengthy, however solely 1km has a walkable path for vacationers. That’s lengthy sufficient so that you can have a firsthand take a look at the big stalactite formations and trickling waterfalls alongside the best way although. If you’re fortunate, you may even spot bats.
The strolling course will take you 45–60 minutes to finish. There’s even a further Adventure Course with a top-up price of ¥2,700 (~S$27) together with security tools rental, the place you enterprise deeper by slender passageways, and even climb up rocks with ropes and ladders. Unfortunately it’s a must to know Japanese to tackle the course for security causes (the guides don’t communicate English).
Entrance Fee: ¥1,200 (~S$12)
Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 5PM (Closes 4:30PM from Dec – Feb)
Address: 1424 Tosayamadachō Sakakawa, Kami-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 782-0005
5) Panoramic views on the Shikoku Karst Natural Park (四国カルスト)
The Shikoku Karst Natural Park is true nature aesthetic. A “karst” is mainly a panorama with limestone or gypsum rock formations that have been eroded by acidic water, abandoning distinctive, jagged shapes, and Japan solely has three of such huge lands.
There are three primary areas to Shikoku’s karst, however if you happen to’re in Kochi, essentially the most accessible level can be the Tengu Highland or Tengu Plateau, which is on the jap edge and lies between Kochi and Ehime Prefectures. 1400m above sea stage, on an ideal sunny day you’ll have a panoramic view overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
For the hardcore adventurers, it’s additionally a well-liked tenting spot with designated amenities, far-off from all the town lights — which implies you get to camp beneath the celebrities at evening!
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Address: Yoshiuno-otsu, Tsuno Town, Takaoka County, Kochi Prefecture
6) Hike to the 20m-tall Uryu Falls at Nakatsu Gorge (中津渓谷)
Hike by the Nakatsu Gorge and also you’ll realise why the Niyodo River is topped Japan’s cleanest for 5 straight years. If you’d been following our Instagram tales, you’ll’ve seen how clear the water was once we dipped the cellphone digicam into the stream. It’s even nicknamed the “Niyodo Blue” due to the distinctive blue fashioned by its crystal-clear high quality.
At an inexpensive tempo you possibly can attain the magical 20m-tall Uryu Falls in 20–half-hour. Wear sturdy footwear as a result of it may be slippery at components when it’s a must to traverse rocks and climb filth steps. There are additionally seven statues of Japanese deities positioned alongside the path — it’s powerful to identify all of them!
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Starting Point: Nanokawa, Niyodogawa-cho, Agawa-gun, Kochi, Japan 781-1741
7) Catch the perfect ocean views at Cape Ashizuri (足摺岬, Ashizuri-Misaki)
The space is a part of the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park (足摺宇和海国立公園), which additionally homes one of many largest Buddhist temples in Shikoku’s 88-temple pilgrimage route, the Kongofuku-ji.
The finest method to get to Cape Ashizuri is by automotive. The highway to this southern tip of Shikoku is as scenic because the vacation spot, with loads of relaxation stops and parks to cease at alongside the best way.
Once on the cape, there’s an commentary deck (Tengu no Hana), the place you may get a view so panoramic (270 levels!), the horizon really curves ???? Take that, flat-earthers.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM
Address: Ashizuri-misaki, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture
8) Drink with locals at Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
At evening, make some mates on the Hirome Market because it comes alive with the odor of greasy bar bites and clinking of beer glasses. It hosts over 60 stalls promoting meals, drinks and different items, starting from native to Indian to Western delicacies. Can’t say no to beer when a pint is half the value of what you’d get in Singapore!
Unlike izakayas which are usually extra personal with separate tables, it’s open market right here the place it’s all about communality. It’s widespread for Kochi-jin to share tables and mingle with foreigners right here (typically due to the assistance of alcohol) so it’s the perfect place to satisfy different vacationers, apply your Japanese, or study one thing new concerning the tradition.
Just exterior the principle entrance can also be the Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade, an extended albeit gentrified procuring avenue with memento outlets and worldwide names like Starbucks and McDonald’s. The market can also be strolling distance from the Kochi Castle (extra in #10).
Opening Hours: 10AM – 11PM. Opens 9AM – 11PM on Sundays. Shops could shut earlier. Closed second / third Wednesday in Jan, May and Sep.
Address: 2-3-1 Obiya-machi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture 780-0841
*Pro-tip: Even although the market corridor opens early, most particular person stalls solely open within the night.
9) Feel the seasons on the Makino Botanical Gardens (高知県立牧野植物園)
Housing 3,000 species unfold throughout a whopping six hectares, the 60-year-old Makino Botanical Gardens was named after the Kochi-born “Father of Japanese Botany” Dr. Tomitaro Makino.
With an open garden, north and south gardens and a conservatory amongst others, it simply takes greater than two hours to see all the things.
The better part is that each season brings a special surroundings. Come within the springtime to catch sakura in full bloom, or within the autumn when all the things transforms into ravishing shades of amber and crimson.
Entrance Fee: ¥730 (~S$7.30)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM. Closed from 27 Dec – 1 Jan.
Address: 4200 Godaisan, Kōchi-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 781-8125
10) Explore the Seventeenth-century Kochi Castle
Only 12 castles in Japan stay of their unique architectural state, and Kochi Castle is one in all them. Now transformed right into a museum, step inside and study concerning the inside workings of the feudal rulers, again when Kochi wasn’t even named Kochi but — previously named Tosa.
Inside, you’ll additionally study concerning the fort’s defence mechanism that makes use of stone gutters and cut-out holes for archers to shoot arrows from to guard in opposition to invasions. At the commentary deck on the high, you’ll be rewarded with a view of Kochi metropolis with the mountains at a distance, the place you possibly can stand and look from the angle of the traditional rulers. Shiok not?
Entrance Fee: ¥420 (~S$4.20)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM (Last entry at 4:30PM). Closed 26 Dec – 1 Jan.
Address: 1 Chome−2−1, Marunouchi, Kōchi-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 780-0850
11) Spend a day at Katsurahama Beach (桂浜)… with out swimming
Nobody goes to Katsurahama Beach to swim. Sounds bizarre, however that’s as a result of the robust currents make it a harmful place to take action. But that doesn’t cease it from turning into one in all Kochi’s high points of interest.
In the day, there’s the Katsurahama Aquarium the place you get to take pictures with penguins, feed cute otters, and watch sea lion exhibits. There can also be the large 13.5m-tall memorial statue of Sakamoto Ryoma that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, with an accompanying fashionable memorial museum atop the hill the place you possibly can study all concerning the legendary hero, together with a few of his precise artefacts.
In the evening, Katsurahama Beach is thought for being a well-liked “moon-watching” spot. Plus, the realm has many gelato, grilled squid and katsuo no tataki stalls the place you possibly can fatten up on, so you possibly can mainly spend a complete day there and chill with the ocean breeze.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours.
Address: 778 Urado, Kōchi-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 781-0262
Katsurahama Aquarium (桂浜水族館)
Entrance Fee: ¥1,600 (~S$16.10)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM
Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum (坂本龍馬記念館)
Entrance Fee: ¥700 (~S$7)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM
12) Participate in one in all Japan’s hottest summer time festivals, Yosakoi
Characterised by high-octane avenue performances, the Yosakoi Festival is without doubt one of the largest festivals in Japan that originated from Kochi.
It’s one of many newer festivals on the market, so there isn’t essentially a strict choreography to observe; everybody can bust out strikes as they want!
This competition isn’t about standing by the aspect and watching — EVERYBODY no matter age, race and dancing abilities are inspired to hitch within the enjoyable. Either purchase your individual Naruko clappers from the outlets round, or be part of the dancing groups, a few of which comprise primarily vacationers.
Annual Festival Dates: 9 – 12 August, fireworks on 9 Aug at 7:30PM
Address: All over Kochi City
13) Make your individual Washi paper from scratch
As you properly know, the Japanese make high quality merchandise. That contains their conventional paper, washi, which many origami, shodo calligraphy and ukiyo-e work are made from.
Tosa washi, a Kochi variant, makes use of the barks of kozo and mitsumata vegetation, and are equally tremendous sturdy. In the Ino-cho Paper Museum you’d even see that folks previously made washi raincoats. Heck, I actually have a washi man-clutch that survived a teh bing spill.
For a further top-up price, you get to make eight sheets of crisp, thick washi postcards the normal manner.
Our adroit teacher whizzed by the demonstration so effortlessly, we weren’t anticipating what turned out to be a full blown arms day. With the mould you scoop up the pulp in an enormous vat of water, then slowly sieve the water out by shortly swinging aspect to aspect. Then repeat. Intense!
The total expertise takes one hour (half-hour to make, half-hour to dry). While ready for it to dry you possibly can wander across the museum, or store at their memento retailer promoting washi hand-bound notebooks, wallets and different knick-knacks.
Cost: ¥900 (~S$9, incl. ¥500 entrance price)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM (Last workshop at 4PM). Closed on Mondays (Tue if Mon is a PH), and from 27 Dec – 4 Jan.
Address: 110-1 Saiwai-cho, Agawa-gun Ino-cho, Kochi 781-2103
Kochi is an entire 180° from fashionable cities like Tokyo, and probably the greatest locations to expertise a special aspect of Japan. Sure, it’s not essentially the most accessible, however that’s what provides to the attract and untouched fantastic thing about it, isn’t it? They say no ache, no achieve, however we wouldn’t even name a two-hour home flight through JAL / ANA painful by any means. And regardless that public transport isn’t as developed, that simply screams… highway journey!
Have you been to Kochi, Japan? Tell us about your expertise within the feedback!
This submit was dropped at you by Go toKochi as a part of a media familiarisation journey.
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