Kōchi, Japan Cruises

A FUN-LOVING CITY WITH A VIBRANT HISTORY

Kōchi is a city with a well-earned reputation for having a good time. Named after the castle that sits in the heart of the city, Kōchi delights visitors with its sightseeing, unique regional cuisine, and lively nightlife.

Begin your visit with a trip to Kōchi Castle, one of only 12 original castles still standing in Japan. Stroll the grounds and see the bronze statue of Yamanouchi Kazutouo, the largest equestrian statue in Japan. Then, make your way to the Obiyamachi shopping arcade, which is close to the Harimaya-bashi—a replica of a bridge featured in a well-known Japanese love song. Elsewhere, history buffs should make their way to the Sakamoto Ryōma museum to learn the story of Kōchi’s beloved, favorite son.

If all this shopping and sightseeing works up your appetite, be sure to try Sawachi cuisine—a style of dish native to the region—including Kōchi’s signature dish, katsuo no tataki (seared bonito). Wash it down with a shōchū with the locals, who are well known for their joie de vivre! Or, for a drink that’s out of this world, try Tosa Space Sake, a specialty beverage prepared with yeast that was taken into space aboard a rocket in 2005.