The Kochi City is a place you must not miss if you are travelling to Shikoku. There are downtown walks and many great spots around Kochi City. In this article, we will introduce three recommended spots in Kochi, traditional Japanese restaurants (ryotei) in the vicinity, and how to go. You can get an idea what Japan was like during the Edo period by visiting this city.
Former Yamauchi Residence
The Former Yamauchi Residence is a country-designated important cultural property building and is a place where you can feel what is it like in an old Japanese residence. It is rare nationwide for a building at this scale to be preserved until today since the Edo period with Nagaya architecture and is a must-see. The size of the building, the fixtures, and even the spaces are as they were during the time, so it might be interesting to compare them to how things are like now.
Spot information
- Spot name: Former Yamauchi Residence
- Street address: Takajomachi Kochi
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Kochi Station
- Wi-Fi: Not available
- Language: N/A
- Ticket: Free
- Credit cards: Not useable
Okawa Sujibuke Yashiki Museum
The Okawa Sujibuke Yashiki Museum is designated as a tangible cultural property, and you can feel what life was like for the samurai during the Edo period during your visit. The Nagayamon and gardens are impressive, and you can experience the atmosphere of the time. Furnishings such as swords and hanging scrolls are also on display, allowing you to imagine the lifestyle of the samurai. If you want to know how samurais lived in the past, this is a place you do not want to miss.
Spot information
- Spot name: Okawa Sujibuke Yashiki Museum
- Street address: Okawasuji Kochi
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Kochi Station
- Wi-Fi: Not available
- Language: N/A
- Ticket: Free
- Credit cards: Not useable
Harimaya Bridge
Harimaya Bridge is a representative tourist attraction located downtown of central Kochi. The red handrail and canal from the Edo period are being recreated. It is also a perfect place to rest your tired legs after sightseeing. You can see the "Junshin / Horse statue" of the Japanese love story "Yosakoi Monogatari", and watch an 8-minute marionette clock alongside the melody of "Yosakoi Bushi". It is a place you definitely want to visit at least once when sightseeing Kochi.
Spot information
- Spot name: Harimaya Bridge
- Street address: 1 Harimayacho Kochi
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Kochi Station
- Wi-Fi: Not available
- Language: N/A
- Ticket: Free
- Credit cards: Not useable
Ryotei “Tokugetsuro”
※Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
A recommended restaurant in Kochi is “Tokugetsuro”, which is a Japanese-style ryotei that incorporates tearoom-like architecture (Sukiya-zukuri). You can savour delicious kaiseki dishes with the best delicacies of vegetables, meat, and seafood. A beautiful Japanese garden and a large collections of writings and paintings can be enjoyed while having your meal. It is a place where you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of Japan using all five senses, so be sure to visit.
Spot information
- Spot name: Tokugetsuro
- Street address: 1-17-3 Harimayacho, Kochi
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Kochi Station
- Credit cards: VISA, JCB, Diners, AMEX, MASTER
Accessibility from JR Kochi Station
If you travel by plane, travel from Narita Airport or Kansai International Airport to Kochi Ryoma Airport via domestic flight. From Kochi Ryoma Airport, use the connecting airport bus that goes directly to JR Kochi Station.
Comments