Kochi sprawls across the wild Pacific-facing south of Shikoku, famed for the dam-free Shimanto River (Japan's "last clear stream"), seared bonito (katsuo no tataki), and links to samurai reformer Sakamoto Ryoma. Rugged capes and clear waters reward travelers who venture off the beaten path.
Kōchi (高知) bred reformer Sakamoto Ryōma (坂本龍馬), a key figure in the Meiji Restoration. Its clear Shimanto River (四万十川) is called Japan's 'last clear stream'.
Photos: Kochi Castle — bethom33 via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Katsurahama Beach — Mika_Yoshida via FIND/47, CC BY 4.0 · Yosakoi Festival — Kumar nav via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Chikurin-ji Temple — 先従隗始 via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Kōchi is reached by air from Tokyo/Osaka or by limited express across Shikoku.
Top pick
Top pick
Must-eatKatsuo no tataki (straw-seared bonito)
Kochi's signature soul food: skin-on bonito flame-seared over burning rice straw (warayaki), sliced thick, and eaten with salt or ponzu plus…
Must-eatSawachi ryori (large-platter feast)
A celebratory style of serving sashimi, sushi, grilled fish and seasonal delicacies arranged together on one large ~36-39cm platter, traditionally for…
Hirome Market dining
Lively indoor food hall in Kochi City with ~60 stalls and communal seating where you sample katsuo no tataki and local dishes amid Kochi's famous 'okyaku'…
Kochi at a glance
Next door
Links marked PR are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Photos: Kōchi Castle — bethom33 via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Kochi Castle — bethom33 via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Katsurahama Beach — Mika_Yoshida via FIND/47, CC BY 4.0 · Yosakoi Festival — Kumar nav via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Chikurin-ji Temple — 先従隗始 via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 · Kochi Castle — bethom33 via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Katsurahama Beach — Focx Photography via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Katsuo no tataki — G.A.I.N via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 · Sawachi ryori — Miya.m via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Map: Geolonia (MIT).
