Considered one of Shikoku Island’s 4 prefectures hosts a few of the finest out of doors experiences you may get in Japan. Listed here are 13 issues to do in Kochi for a splashing good time!
In case you’re interested by 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 after I realised I used to be taking a look at pictures of Kochi, like, the town in Kerala.
Search ‘Kochi Japan‘ as an alternative and also you’ll uncover a very completely 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 remedy.
So what makes this one prefecture of Shikoku Island’s “Massive 4” price visiting?
Whereas Tokyo and Osaka could have 1,000 issues to do, Kochi wins in its huge mountainous land, crystal-clear blue rivers the place individuals frolic in, and a inhabitants solely 15% of Singapore’s. The place else are you able to discover a place this quiet and low-key?
Most individuals hardly ever consider Kochi as a result of a shinkansen takes seven hours from Tokyo, and one of the simplest ways to get there’s by flying in from Haneda Airport. However 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 outdoor in Shikoku Island? Listed here are 13 issues to notice on your vacation plans:
1) Water sports activities in Japan’s clearest rivers
Canoeing! Kayaking! Canyoning! Whitewater Rafting! Snorkelling! There are such a lot of sorts of river sports activities you may have a splash at in Kochi, it’s an adventurer’s… moist dream. The very best half is you get to do it down a few of Japan’s finest rivers. The Niyodo River is rated the most effective 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.
Sadly, 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 a few days lengthy for rafting, canyoning, or each (kid-friendly excursions accessible too)!
You may learn extra about their actions at their English web site. The charges embody tools and insurance coverage (lunch included for full-day excursions).
Value: From ¥5,000 (~S$50)
Opening Hours: 8AM – 6PM
Assembly Level: 221-1 Ikadagi, Otoyo-cho, Nagaoka-gun, Kochi, Japan 789-0157
2) Whale-watch from as shut as 50m
Rise 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 specific 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.
Every tour takes no less than 4 hours, and whereas there’s the chance 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.
Identical to the river sports activities, most working corporations could not supply English-speaking guides (although you should still hop on these boat excursions simply to see the whales). To seek out out extra, seek the advice of the closest tourism info centre on the prepare stations, or the Kochi Ryoma Airport.
*Word: Tour intervals differ 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)
Value: ¥6,000 (~S$60)
Tour Occasions: 10AM. 8AM, 12PM slots accessible on weekends; 8AM, 1PM slots accessible on PHs
Assembly Level: 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 have got 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. Now not sashimi, but not likely aburi.
It’s powerful to search out bonito served like this elsewhere in Japan too. I’ve tried all kinds of uncooked fish, however this was my first time attempting precise bonito fish. Normally, the closest you’d get is the dashi broth in udon, or bonito flakes on prime of takoyaki.
Once you arrive at Tosa Tataki Dojo, the primary ground is a memento store promoting every part bonito, and accompanying jarred sauces. Inform 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 extraordinary 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.
*Word: The Warayaki Taiken Ryoma Zen is barely accessible for giant group orders (min 10 pax). Go for the Katsuo Tataki Teishoku (¥1,600, ~S$16) as an alternative in the event you’re visiting in smaller teams.
And it’s so reasonably priced. The lunch set with the grilling expertise and an assortment of sides (above) with rice and miso soup is barely S$25. There are a number of methods to take pleasure in Katsuo no Tataki — with salt, garlic, grated yuzu, wasabi, ponzu sauce or yuzu-infused vinegar.
Value: ¥2,000 (~S$25)
Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 3:00PM
Handle: 201-2 Niida, Kochi-city, Kochi Prefecture 781-0112
4) Enterprise 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. Your entire 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. In case you’re fortunate, you may even spot bats.
The strolling course will take you 45–60 minutes to finish. There’s even a further Journey Course with a top-up price of ¥2,700 (~S$27) together with security tools rental, the place you enterprise deeper via slender passageways, and even climb up rocks with ropes and ladders. Sadly you need to know Japanese to tackle the course for security causes (the guides don’t communicate English).
Entrance Price: ¥1,200 (~S$12)
Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 5PM (Closes 4:30PM from Dec – Feb)
Handle: 1424 Tosayamadachō Sakakawa, Kami-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 782-0005
5) Panoramic views on the Shikoku Karst Pure Park (四国カルスト)
The Shikoku Karst Pure Park is true nature aesthetic. A “karst” is principally a panorama with limestone or gypsum rock formations that have been eroded by acidic water, forsaking distinctive, jagged shapes, and Japan solely has three of such huge lands.
There are three predominant areas to Shikoku’s karst, however in the event you’re in Kochi, probably the most accessible level can be the Tengu Highland or Tengu Plateau, which is on the japanese 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, distant from all the town lights — which implies you get to camp below the celebrities at evening!
Entrance Price: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Handle: Yoshiuno-otsu, Tsuno City, Takaoka County, Kochi Prefecture
6) Hike to the 20m-tall Uryu Falls at Nakatsu Gorge (中津渓谷)
Hike via the Nakatsu Gorge and also you’ll realise why the Niyodo River is topped Japan’s cleanest for 5 straight years. In case you’d been following our Instagram tales, you’d’ve seen how clear the water was after we dipped the telephone digital camera into the stream. It’s even nicknamed the “Niyodo Blue” due to the distinctive blue shaped by its crystal-clear high quality.
At an inexpensive tempo you may attain the paranormal 20m-tall Uryu Falls in 20–half-hour. Put on sturdy sneakers as a result of it may be slippery at components when you need 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 Price: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Beginning Level: Nanokawa, Niyodogawa-cho, Agawa-gun, Kochi, Japan 781-1741
7) Catch the most effective ocean views at Cape Ashizuri (足摺岬, Ashizuri-Misaki)
The realm is a part of the Ashizuri-Uwakai Nationwide 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 easiest way to get to Cape Ashizuri is by automobile. 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.
As soon as 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 Price: Free
Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM
Handle: Ashizuri-misaki, Tosashimizu Metropolis, Kochi Prefecture
8) Drink with locals at Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
At evening, make some pals on the Hirome Market because it comes alive with the scent 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 worth of what you’d get in Singapore!
Not like izakayas which are typically extra personal with separate tables, it’s open market right here the place it’s all about communality. It’s frequent for Kochi-jin to share tables and mingle with foreigners right here (typically because of the assistance of alcohol) so it’s the most effective place to satisfy different vacationers, apply your Japanese, or study one thing new in regards to the tradition.
Simply outdoors the principle entrance can be the Obiyamachi Buying Arcade, a protracted albeit gentrified buying avenue with memento retailers and worldwide names like Starbucks and McDonald’s. The market can be strolling distance from the Kochi Citadel (extra in #10).
Opening Hours: 10AM – 11PM. Opens 9AM – 11PM on Sundays. Retailers could shut earlier. Closed second / third Wednesday in Jan, Might and Sep.
Handle: 2-3-1 Obiya-machi, Kochi Metropolis, Kochi Prefecture 780-0841
*Professional-tip: Regardless that the market corridor opens early, most particular person stalls solely open within the night.
9) Really 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 every part.
The very best half is that each season brings a distinct surroundings. Come within the springtime to catch sakura in full bloom, or within the autumn when every part transforms into ravishing shades of amber and crimson.
Entrance Price: ¥730 (~S$7.30)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM. Closed from 27 Dec – 1 Jan.
Handle: 4200 Godaisan, Kōchi-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 781-8125
10) Discover the Seventeenth-century Kochi Citadel
Solely 12 castles in Japan stay of their authentic architectural state, and Kochi Citadel is one among them. Now transformed right into a museum, step inside and study in regards to the internal workings of the feudal rulers, again when Kochi wasn’t even named Kochi but — previously named Tosa.
Inside, you’ll additionally study in regards to the citadel’s defence mechanism that makes use of stone gutters and cut-out holes for archers to shoot arrows from to guard towards invasions. On the commentary deck on the prime, you’ll be rewarded with a view of Kochi metropolis with the mountains at a distance, the place you may stand and look from the angle of the traditional rulers. Shiok not?
Entrance Price: ¥420 (~S$4.20)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM (Final entry at 4:30PM). Closed 26 Dec – 1 Jan.
Handle: 1 Chome−2−1, Marunouchi, Kōchi-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 780-0850
11) Spend a day at Katsurahama Seaside (桂浜)… with out swimming
No person goes to Katsurahama Seaside to swim. Sounds bizarre, however that’s as a result of the sturdy currents make it a harmful place to take action. However that doesn’t cease it from changing into one among Kochi’s prime sights.
Within 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 may be additionally the massive 13.5m-tall memorial statue of Sakamoto Ryoma that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, with an accompanying trendy memorial museum atop the hill the place you may study all in regards to the legendary hero, together with a few of his precise artefacts.
Within the evening, Katsurahama Seaside 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 may fatten up on, so you may principally spend a complete day there and chill with the ocean breeze.
Entrance Price: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours.
Handle: 778 Urado, Kōchi-shi, Kōchi-ken, Japan 781-0262
Katsurahama Aquarium (桂浜水族館)
Entrance Price: ¥1,600 (~S$16.10)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM
Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum (坂本龍馬記念館)
Entrance Price: ¥700 (~S$7)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM
12) Take part in one among Japan’s hottest summer season festivals, Yosakoi
Characterised by high-octane avenue performances, the Yosakoi Competition 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 comply with; everybody can bust out strikes as they need!
This competition isn’t about standing by the aspect and watching — EVERYBODY no matter age, race and dancing expertise are inspired to affix within the enjoyable. Both purchase your individual Naruko clappers from the retailers round, or be a part of the dancing groups, a few of which comprise primarily vacationers.
Annual Competition Dates: 9 – 12 August, fireworks on 9 Aug at 7:30PM
Handle: Throughout Kochi Metropolis
13) Make your individual Washi paper from scratch
As you nicely know, the Japanese make high quality merchandise. That features their conventional paper, washi, which many origami, shodo calligraphy and ukiyo-e work are manufactured from.
Tosa washi, a Kochi variant, makes use of the barks of kozo and mitsumata vegetation, and are equally tremendous sturdy. Within the Ino-cho Paper Museum you’d even see that individuals prior to now made washi raincoats. Heck, I also 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 approach.
Our adroit teacher whizzed via 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!
Your entire expertise takes one hour (half-hour to make, half-hour to dry). Whereas ready for it to dry you may wander across the museum, or store at their memento retailer promoting washi hand-bound notebooks, wallets and different knick-knacks.
Value: ¥900 (~S$9, incl. ¥500 entrance price)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM (Final workshop at 4PM). Closed on Mondays (Tue if Mon is a PH), and from 27 Dec – 4 Jan.
Handle: 110-1 Saiwai-cho, Agawa-gun Ino-cho, Kochi 781-2103
Kochi is a whole 180° from trendy cities like Tokyo, and top-of-the-line locations to expertise a distinct aspect of Japan. Positive, it’s not probably the most accessible, however that’s what provides to the attract and untouched great thing about it, isn’t it? They are saying no ache, no acquire, however we wouldn’t even name a two-hour home flight through JAL / ANA painful by any means. And though public transport isn’t as developed, that simply screams… highway journey!
Have you ever been to Kochi, Japan? Inform us about your expertise within the feedback!
This put up was dropped at you by VisitKochi as a part of a media familiarisation journey.
