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Visit Kochi Japan

Visit Kochi Japan Welcome to Kochi! This page is the official page of Kochi Prefecture in Japan. We provide lots of information to help travelers to Kochi.

Kochi Prefecture is blessed with beautiful and abundant nature under a shining sun such as the coastline with the Kuroshio Current (Japan Current), clear rivers such as the Shimanto River and deep green forests. It has a history and environment which produced many pioneers and great men such as Sakamoto Ryoma. Kochi's free and daring characteristics have created generous yet deeply strong resident

s called "Igosso" or "Hachikin," and the wisdom and activity of the people of Kochi, who are full of ideas, gave birth to special gardening crops and industrial technologies. Also, the unique regional culture represented by "Yosakoi Festival" has been developed.

26/02/2025

Experience the Magic of Orchids in Kochi🌺✨

Step into a floral wonderland at the Makino Botanical Garden’s 19th annual Orchid Show, "The Charms of Kochi Adorned with Orchids."

Over 2,000 orchids from 100 unique varieties transform the greenhouse at Kochi’s impressive botanical gardens, established to honor the achievements of the father of Japanese botany, Dr. Tomitaro Makino, into a vibrant celebration of Kochi’s culture and nature🌿

Don’t miss these must-see exhibits:

🎭 Yosakoi Festival orchids — where Phalaenopsis blooms dance like festival performers.

🔥 Tosa Binchotan display — with fiery Dendrobium orchids symbolizing flames against the black charcoal.

🍽️ A 1-meter-wide "dish" of golden Oncidium orchids — a tribute to Kochi's creativity!

📸 Photo spots galore! Feel like you’re traveling through Kochi’s natural beauty without ever leaving the warmth of the greenhouse.

Don’t miss this unforgettable floral journey!

🗓️ Open until March 2nd
📍 Makino Botanical Garden, Kochi City
🗺️ https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gp6JF2X5x3viZiXs5
🚌 Take the MY-YU sightseeing bus from JR Kochi Station (Approx 30 min)

Thank you to Makino Botanical Garden for permitting us to share their beautiful photos with you all😊

Read more about the Makino Botanical Garden: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10019

24/02/2025

Discover the hidden paradise of Kashiwa Island – A Dream Destination for Ocean Lovers 🐡🏝️

Located at the southwestern tip of Kochi Prefecture, Kashiwa Island is renowned for water so clear that it looks like boats are floating in mid-air!

But the beauty doesn’t stop there—thanks to the warm Kuroshio current, the waters stay comfortably warm year-round, and the island is home to large coral reefs and thousands of species of fish, from 1,000 to 3,500 different kinds that call this place home🐟

Have you ever seen water this clear? Although about a 3-hour drive from Kochi City, Kashiwa Island is worth the trip for snorkeling, diving, and stunning underwater views that attract divers from all over Japan🤿

When visiting, don’t miss the Odo Coast—the powerful Pacific waves have sculpted 50-meter cliffs over thousands of years, creating a dramatic landscape that will take your breath away🌊⛰️

Ready to dive into this tropical paradise? Learn more about Kashiwajima here:
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10030

Thank you to Sea Air Kashiwajima for permitting us to share their wonderful photo (3) with you all😊
🔗 https://www.seaair.co.jp (jp)

19/02/2025

Symbols of harmony with nature: The sunken bridges of the Shimanto River 🏞️

When it comes to enjoying an inspiring blend of nature and culture, there are few better places than the Shimanto River valley. One of its most iconic features is the sunken bridges (沈下橋) that stretch across the river, an incredible example of how the people here live in harmony with nature🌱✨

These unique bridges don’t have railings and are designed to sink during floods, allowing water to flow freely without obstruction. Why? The idea is to respect the power of nature, rather than fight it! These bridges symbolize how the people of the Shimanto River Valley live with, rather than try to control, the natural world around them🌍

What makes crossing one of these bridges even more magical? The surroundings! In spring, the river sings with the sound of flowing water accompanied by birds chirping. It’s the perfect place to leave your stresses behind and immerse yourself in the calm of nature.

Though the sunken bridges attract many visitors, they’re still an important part of local life, with cars crossing them as part of the community’s daily routine. Be sure to take care while walking or snapping photos, as despite being so narrow, experienced locals drive across them with great confidence!

Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or just looking to enjoy a peaceful moment, Shimanto’s sunken bridges are a must-see!

Learn more about the Shimanto River Valley here:
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/shimantoriver

14/02/2025

One of Kochi’s best cherry blossom spots, the retro valley town of Sakawa🌸

Sakawa, the birthplace of the father of Japanese botany, Dr. Tomitaro Makino, is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Kochi. Pretty trees bloom along the Kasuga River, and Makino Park (named after the good doctor himself) is regarded as one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots.

Sakawa’s reputation as a cherry blossom town is thanks to Dr. Makino, who sent Somei Yoshino cherry tree seedlings to his hometown from Tokyo. There are about 30 different kinds of cherry trees in the hillside Makino Park, each of which blooms at a different time so that you can enjoy the blossoms from early February until mid-April.

Even better, Sakawa is easily accessible from Kochi City, and it takes less than an hour to get there by train. So, if you are in Kochi in the next few months, why not hop on a train, pick up a packed lunch, and come to enjoy Sakawa, pretty in pink?

Click here for more information about Makino Park:
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10050

09/02/2025

Plum blossoms at Kochi Castle herald the arrival of spring!

Cherry blossoms may be the most popular of Japan’s seasonal blooms, but another pretty pink flower blooms ahead of Japan’s famed sakura. Ume plum blossom comes in white, yellow, and pink and comes into bloom from mid-February to March. The pretty little flowers are always welcome as they indicate that winter is coming to a close and warmer days are just around the corner.

One of the best places in Kochi to enjoy plum blossoms is on the grounds of Kochi Castle, where there are 160 plum trees in 10 varieties🏯

Birds like the distinctive “white eye” with their bright green plumage are attracted by the sweet fragrance and cheerfully flit from flower to flower!

Plums are a staple of the Japanese diet and are often eaten pickled. A Kochi delicacy, which dates from over 300 years ago, is “ume no kasuzuke” which consists of plums pickled with sake lees! Seek them out at Kochi’s weekly Sunday Market and enjoy their distinctive taste and crunchy texture!

To learn more about Kochi Castle, click here:
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10009

To learn more about Kochi Sunday Market, click here:
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/sundaymarket

04/02/2025

Fruit picking fun for all the family at Nishijima Horticultural Park🍓

Strawberry picking season has arrived here in Kochi! You can pick strawberries in the greenhouses at Nishijima Horticultural Park between January and May, but they are at their sweetest in the cold weeks of February.

The position of strawberry plants is carefully planned to ensure that each plant receives as much sunlight as possible and pesticide use is kept to a minimum so they are safe for small children to eat. You can pick and eat juicy strawberries to your heart's content for 40 minutes, and it is a fun activity to do as a family or with friends.

Don’t miss the café in the greenhouse, where more than 200 kinds of flowers bloom, which serves mouth-watering melon bowls with soft-serve ice cream, fresh mango parfaits, and pancakes topped with fruit. As well as sweets, you can also get light meals such as tomato curry and Japanese-style hamburger steak.

Nishijima Horticultural Park is a great place to feel the promise of spring and take a break from the winter cold. Close to Kochi Airport, it’s also a great place to visit on your way to catch a flight!

For more information about Nishijima Horticultural Park, visit: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/activities/10148

03/02/2025

🎁Special Deals✨
When you purchase ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass, you can get 69 new benefits!!!
Please check our website for details on how to use & the contents of the benefits.
https://www.jr-eki.com/good_trip_shikoku/en/index.html

In 2025, Enjoy your trip to Shikoku with the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass👍👍👍

26/01/2025

The sublime beauty of the Shimanto River in winter✨

Scroll through our feed or do a web search for “Shimanto River,” and you will find images of deep green forests, hidden canyons, locals fishing, and smiling people enjoying all manner of watersports.

After the spring, summer, and autumn seasons exuberance, a quiet calm descends over the Shimanto River Valley during the winter months. The stillness allows you to truly take in the beauty of the famously clear water, which is even more stunning at this time of year. A rare snowfall can transform the valley into a breathtaking winter wonderland.

On snowy days, there is nothing nicer than wrapping yourself up in a blanket and enjoying the scenery with a hot drink😊

If you are lucky enough to catch one of these snowstorms, please take extra caution if driving, especially when crossing the river’s iconic and notoriously narrow “chinkabashi" submersible bridges!

Learn more about the Shimanto River Valley here
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/shimantoriver

20/01/2025

Buntan season is coming to Kochi’s Sunday Market🍋

Kochi is fertile ground for various citrus fruits, but this large grapefruit-like fruit is a local favorite. Called Buntan, it has a lovely, refreshing aroma and taste that has a perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a touch of bitterness. Enjoying the distinctive pop of the fruit in the mouth is closely associated with early spring.

Kochi folk enjoy Buntan at home and send boxes of the fruit to friends and family all around Japan. It is so ingrained in local culture that you can find special peelers, made for Buntan, called Muki-chan, in the stores.

Buntan is harvested in November and December but does not appear in shops and markets until they ripen, generally between January and March. You’ll know when they are ready as the large yellow fruits will be displayed throughout the huge Sunday Market, held weekly in Kochi City. Here, you can buy direct from the hardworking folks who grow the fruit.

If you get a taste for Buntan while you are in Kochi, but cannot take fruit home with you, pick up some Buntan jelly, Buntan sweets, or jam so you can enjoy this taste of Kochi back in your home country.

Learn more about Kochi’s 300-year-old Sunday Market here
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/sundaymarket

15/01/2025

Cheers to this very limited namazake🐳🍶

The Tosa branch of Kochi’s much-loved Suigei (Drunken Whale) sake brewery, a modern facility surrounded by mountains with a lovely wooden terrace, is a 40-minute drive from Kochi Station (or, for drinkers, a 20-minute taxi ride from Sakawa Station).

As well as brewery tours (reservation required) and marveling at the range of sake available at the attached SUIGEI STORE, you can also indulge in sundaes made with ice cream made with alcohol-free sake lees and peruse a unique art gallery.

However, if you are a sake fan, you will not want to miss the opportunity to sample and buy limited edition Tosa-gura Namazake. This is the sake produced from the very first pressing of the season. Namazake has a distinctively fresh taste as it has not undergone the aging and heating processes that usually follow; it is, as it were, straight out of the tank!

While you can now purchase Suigei sake in sake stores overseas, you can only sample it at the source!

📍 Suigei Tosa-gura
🗺 https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ubj6qJmRSh7tQ9cE9
🔗 https://suigei.co.jp/en/

09/01/2025

A historical byway is now a great hiking trail!

Akaoka, located by the sea in Konan City, was a significant salt-producing area and market. The precious commodity, essential for food and health, was transported along the Tosa Salt Road. The trail was also a major trade route for products sourced from the mountain, sea, and other essentials.

The rough, steep trail to the Iya region of Tokushima Prefecture is said to have crossed mountains and bamboo forests. The path was a lifeline for remote communities, and horses and oxen were used to move goods. Many places that remind us of those days, such as the Bato Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), built to pray for the safety of horses and other stone statues, remain today.

A 30 km long section of the trail has been developed as the “Tosa Salt Road,” where visitors can enjoy hiking. The restored trail has rest areas, and walking guides are available.

The path is featured in many "best of” walking path lists, and with eight courses ranging from 2 to 30 km in length, it is a fantastic option for seasoned hikers as well as people who enjoy a short stroll surrounded by nature, with a bit of history thrown in for good measure.

To learn more about the Tosa Salt Road, click here:
https://deepjapan.org/kochi-salt-road/

03/01/2025

Kochi Castle and Kochi Park Night Event “ShadowUp Kochi Castle"🏯🌟
Now running until January 13, 2025!

This winter, Kochi Castle is hosting an event called “ShadowUp Kochi Castle.” The concept is to enjoy “shadows” cast by light, rather than “lighting up” to see things brightly illuminated by light. Wearing 3D glasses, various shadows and reflections of light emerge three-dimensionally, inviting you to an unknown experience. The shadows of yourself, other people, trees, and mysterious shadows created by various objects... Kochi Castle becomes a special place to play with shadows and you can enjoy as if you were lost in a fantasy space👓

The highlight of the event is the “ShadowUp Stage,” where visitors can create an unprecedented and mysterious scene in which their own shadows are dynamically reflected on the castle tower. There are also various other tricks that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages, from children to adults.

Come and experience Kochi Castle at night, where the shadows become the main attraction instead of a supporting role.

✨🏯 ShadowUp Kochi Castle 🏯✨

◻︎ Date & Time
December 6, 2024 (Fri) - January 13, 2025 (Mon)
17:30 - 21:30 (last admission 20:30)

◻︎ Entrance Fee
Adults: 1,500 yen

◻︎ Location
Kochi Castle, Kochi Park
🗺 https://maps.app.goo.gl/chrhHW9GJEqukJ6L6

◻︎Official website
https://kochipark.jp/kochijyo/shadowup-kochi/

For more information about Kochi Castle, click here:
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10009

02/01/2025

Happy New Year from Kochi🎉

It's the beginning of what we hope will be a wonderful year.

Have you ever heard of “hatsuhinode”? It’s a New Year tradition, getting up early (or staying up all night) to witness the year's first sunrise on the morning of January 1. It’s an auspicious occasion, and this is a custom that is followed by millions of people across Japan every year.

Here in Kochi, it is possible to experience an even more auspicious hatsuhinode. This is a “Daruma Sunrise.”🌅

Daruma are round dolls with large eyes that are said to bring good luck. During a Daruma sunrise, the sun looks like a huge Daruma doll floating on the sea. As conditions have to be just right, it is said that those lucky enough to see a Daruma sunrise will have good fortune.

If you are not an early riser, you can also aim for a "Daruma Sunset" during winter in places such as Sukumo City.

For more information about Daruma sunrise and sunset, visit: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/darumasunset

Until February 15, 2025 (Saturday), Michi no Eki Sukumo Sunnyside Park will also be lit up and you can enjoy the collaboration of the sunset and illuminations✨

Wherever you are, I hope you have a wonderful New Year!

With love from Kochi❤️

31/12/2024

Thank you for your support in 2024, and wishing you success in 2025!

In our final post this year we would like to tell you about "Katsuo-mikuji" at Niida Shrine in Kochi City, which is said to be closely associated with Ryoma Sakamoto, a samurai hero born in Kochi.

As you may know, omikuji are fortunes that can be drawn at random at Japanese shrines. This omikuji, however, is somewhat unique as you use a rod to "catch" your fortune like a fisherman trying to catch a fish. The fish is, of course, Kochi's favorite bonito skipjack tuna, called Katsuo in Japanese.

They not only look cute, but each is handmade, and you will find your fortune tucked into the fish's belly.

Shortly after the new year holiday is exam season, and many students come to this shrine to pray for academic success.

Whatever kind of success you hope for in 2025, you are in Kochi City at the beginning of the year, so why not try your luck at Niida Shrine?

We want to thank everyone who has helped us spread the good word about Kochi over the past year. Whether you are a long-time or a recent follower or have just stumbled across of our account today, we wish you a very happy New Year and hope you will stick around to enjoy more posts from awesome Kochi Prefecture 2025!

📍Niida Shrine
🗺 https://maps.app.goo.gl/h1N93eqxVcW3CvGD8

27/12/2024

Have a Kochi-style New Year🍱🎉

With the year-end holidays approaching fast, the people of Kochi are starting to plan their New Year festivities. Rather than big parties and fireworks displays, New Year Japan is a time for hanging out with family and close friends.

As you might expect, food is an essential part of New Year celebrations, and Kochi has its own unique dining style that is not only lavish but also reinforces community bonds at the start of the new year.

In addition to painstakingly prepared traditional “osechi” dishes consisting of auspicious ingredients, celebrations in Kochi always feature “Sawachi.” Large plates piled high with all kinds of beautifully presented seasonal dishes prepared with locally produced dishes sourced from the sea and the mountains and local dishes shared by family, friends, and neighbors.

It can take a couple of days to prepare this sumptuous feast ahead of the holidays, but the reward for all this hard work is time, and once everything is done, the whole family can focus on spending quality time with family and friends.

Sawachi is generally a family affair, reserved for special occasions, but you can experience this unique part of Kochi’s culture in a few restaurants at any time of the year. Reservations are usually required, but at Tosa no Kuni Nijuyonmangoku in Kochi City, groups can enjoy authentic Sawachi dishes, and individuals can sample typical dishes without reservation. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Kochi-style whenever you visit!

Learn more about Kochi's food culture here: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/okyaku

🍴 Tosa no Kuni Nijuyonmangoku
🗺 https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y1BPhWxxbCpByPiS6

20/12/2024

Camelia tunnels and natural footbaths at Cape Ashizuri in winter🌺♨️

Dramatic Cape Ashizuri is beautiful at any time of the year, but winter offers a unique scene that cannot be enjoyed at any other time. In February, camellia trees start to come into bloom across Japan, but at Cape Ashizuri, you can walk through a 2-km-long “camellia tunnel.”

Surrounded by red, pink, and white flowers that look gorgeous against the trees’ dark green leaves, these lovely flowers bring a dash of color and a taste of spring to winter days.

Soothe your feet after your walk at the Ashizuri Manjiro Footbath. Here, you can warm up by soaking your feet in a footbath filled with hot water from natural hot springs. The footbaths are inside, so you can shelter from the wind while enjoying the spectacular view of the enormous natural stone arch below and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. What is more, the footbaths are free to use!!

Revived and refreshed, head down to the beach to look at the arch up close. At 16 meters high, Hakusan Cave is said to be Japan's biggest natural granite cave and has long been considered a spiritual power spot. The heart-shaped arch is also visited by many people looking for success on love❤️

Cape Ashizuri is packed with breathtaking scenic spots that can be enjoyed on foot, by car, by bicycle, and even on sightseeing boat tours. Find out more here: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10033

15/12/2024

A Heartwarming Night at the Kochi City Christmas Market!

Kochi City’s third annual Christmas Market started on December 13. This year, the popular event is bigger, with even more stalls to check out while enjoying the Christmas dance, music performances, and other events.

The market centerpiece is a 10-meter-high tower of Christmas lights with about 50 illuminated cords radiating out to cover the entire venue. Interestingly, the cute wooden huts are faithful reproductions of cozy and warm huts found in Stuttgart, Germany. Of course, they will be filled with food and sundries that are uniquely Kochi but appropriate for the season.

Warm up with special mulled wine made with Kochi ginger produced by Yosakoi Winery or with the always popular cocoa or café lattes. In a nod to the market's inspiration, tasty German sausages and pretzels will be on offer, as well as foods made with Kochi’s abundant fresh produce. Also, be sure to look out for Kurunji, crunchy flat Korean croissants—they should be easy to spot, as there is sure to be a long line!

The market runs until Christmas Day, so we hope you will drop by for some Christmas spirit, Kochi style!

🎄Kochi City Christmas Market🎄
📅 December 13 (Friday) - 25 (Wednesday), 2024
🕛 Weekdays 17:00 - 21:30, Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 - 21:30
📍 Toyo Denka Central Park (Kochi City Central Park)
🗺 https://maps.app.goo.gl/4Q21avWihSb9ZYAu9

10/12/2024

Nothing's better on a cold winter's day than a hot Kochi ginger drink☺️

Kochi is the largest producer of ginger in Japan, with about 40% of the national market share. It is known for its red color, punchy aroma, and flavor.

Ginger may not be the prettiest cooking ingredient and is often relegated to a supporting but indispensable role in dishes like Kochi’s soul food, seared bonito. However, ginger comes to the fore in the winter, warming up people across the prefecture on cold winter mornings in the form of piping hot ginger drinks.

Hot Ginger Ale is a favorite of the season at the popular Sunday market held every week in central Kochi City. You will see it at many stores selling the warming drink, made with locally harvested ginger as you walk through the bustling market. Look out for the world’s hottest hot ginger drink - as in spicy hot! Don't worry, there is also a sweet version made with syrup, if you don’t feel up to the challenge🥵

Whichever you choose, ginger is said to promote good circulation, have anti-inflammatory effects, and even boost immunity. Beat the winter chill this year with hot ginger ale!

To learn more about ginger in Kochi, click here
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/topics/1265

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Tuesday	08:30 - 17:15
Wednesday	08:30 - 17:15
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http://visitkochijapan.com/

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