Kochi

About Kochi

Explore why Kochi could be the site of the most unforgettable vacation of your life.


Looking for an authentic Japanese experience with food, history, and culture, but also want to experience its nature and not be caught in a sprawling metropolis? Welcome to Kochi!


Kochi is both the largest prefecture on the island of Shikoku and the prefecture's main city.

The prefecture covers about 18,000 sq. km and Kochi City has about 300,000 people, making each big enough for new experiences and adventure, but small enough to remain intimate and accessible.


In fact, locals describe Kochi City as a village, so don't be surprised if you learn your way around and start bumping into people you know after just a few days!


Hop on one of the vintage trams for a step back in time or stroll beneath the cherry blossoms past the picnicking locals. Kochi is very much imbued with a relaxed, jovial atmosphere.


Whether you rejuvenate by spending your days in nature or the city, shopping or soaking at an oceanside onsen, you will truly be amazed at all there is to offer and how close everything feels.


However you spend your time here, we won't be surprised if you return happier and more relaxed than you've ever felt. In fact, we're betting on it. We've been through it, too. Call it the Kochi effect!


Come experience the Suggoi Life. We'll help you.

Here are just some of the things you can experience:

Nature
  • Mountains from coast to coast
  • Cedar and bamboo forests
  • Panoramic vistas
  • Rugged Pacific Ocean coastline
  • Turquoise waters and sandy beaches
  • Japan's cleanest rivers lauded for their incredible colour and water purity
  • Waterfalls, caves, vine bridges, trails, and so much more!
Adventure
  • Camping
  • Canyoning
  • Cycling
  • Dolphin & whale watching
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain biking
  • Quad biking
  • Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP)
  • Scuba diving & snorkeling
  • Surfing
  • White water rafting
  • Zip-lining
Art, History, Culture & Craft
  • Beautiful botanical garden
  • One of only 12 remaining, original, Edo-period castles
  • Shinto & Buddhist temples, part of the 88 Temples Pilgrimage
  • Onsen (hot spring)
  • Uniquely Japanese art museums for animation and ukiyo-e, as well as a world class modern art musem
  • 'Washi' paper making museums and workshops
  • Hand-forged (Tosa) knives workshop
  • Yosakoi & Tosa no Okyaku music and dance festival
  • Yosakoi Anime Festival
Food, Beverage & Shopping
  • Aisukurin ice cream
  • Buntan & yuzu citrus fruit
  • Craft beer
  • Tosa knives
  • Hirome (food) Market
  • Inaka sushi (nigiri with buntan rice)
  • Izakaya bars
  • Katsuo no tataki (seared bonito over straw flames)
  • Kochi Sunday Market (300yr old market tied to the castle)
  • Nabeyaki Ramen (ramen, but with a chicken stock and soy base)
  • Japan's finest sake
  • Wagyu beef

What is Kochi famous for?

Broadly speaking, Kochi is known for 3 main things:

  1. Gorgeous nature
  2. Exceptionally warm, friendly, and joyful people
  3. Highest alcohol consumption per capita in Japan


In other words, you'll have the opportunity to spend the day hiking in the mountains, visiting an art museum, or exploring its temples and the evening sipping sake, izakaya hopping, and making merry with the locals.


Kochi prefecture is particularly famous within Japan for the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of its knives, washi paper, and sake. Washi has been made in Kochi for over 1,000 years, while the knives use a 400 year-old hand-forging technique. The sake is both highly innovative--some yeasts being developed in space and the deep sea--but always made from some of, if not the, purest water and rice in Japan.


Kochi is also known for its bonito fish, caught just off the coast, and scorched with the intense, leaping flames of burnt straw. Buntan, a kind of citrus fruit, is also grown regionally, and used to make a unique type of sushi, inaka sushi. Kochi makes a uniquely Japanese ice cream  from a centuries old recipe, giving you plenty of options to keep your taste buds happy.

Already in Kochi?

We've curated a list of spots around the city and prefecture that we love and would encourage anyone else to check out.

View Recommendations
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