Kochi Castle - An Elegant Castle From The Edo Period

Highlights of Kochi Castle

The following are various highlights of Kochi Castle.

Tenshu

The tenshu (castle tower), which is the highest part of the castle, also serves as a watchtower. This style, which was popular in the Sengoku Period, placed a lookout in the upper part of a castle. Corridors surround the tenshu, where the visitors can enjoy the view of Kochi City, which will make them feel as if they own the castle.

Honmaru Goten

The low-rise building in front of the tenshu is the honmaru goten (main citadel palace), also known as Kaitokukan. There are four rooms, storage and lavatories inside. It also serves as an archive, displaying various treasures of the Yamauchi family.

Otemon Gate

This gate, located at the front side of the castle, is one of its highlights. Built in the yagura mon (turret gate) style, the defending army can attack the invading army from the turret and also from both sides of the surrounding walls.

Attractions at Kochi Park

Spring: Sakura Illuminations

In early April, sakura (cherry blossoms) are illuminated here at night.

Summer and Fall: Oshiro Matsuri

At Kochi Castle, an oshiro matsuri (castle festival), with live music and open-air stalls, is held in the summer and fall. The festival in mid-July is filled with live music, an open-air beer hall and illuminations at nighttime. Local kagura (sacred music and dance) from all over the prefecture will be performed at the festival held in mid-September.

Winter: Christmas Illuminations

Just before Christmastime, the illuminations start at the castle.

Nichiyo Asaichi

Every Sunday, Nichiyo Asaichi (Sunday morning market) opens at the Otemon Gate. Local vegetables and fruits such as ginger, fruit tomatoes (tomatoes with high sugar content) and Tosa buntan (pomelo), snacks like omochi (soft rice cakes) and udon (wheat noodles) are available at this market, which opens around 5:00 a.m. and closes around 6:00 p.m.

Sightseeing Spots near Kochi Castle

Kochi Park

The castle is surrounded by a spacious park. Visitors can enjoy plums, cherry and peach blossoms in spring, and hydrangea and lotus in summer. This park is also famous for its colorful leaves in autumn.

Harimayabashi

This small bridge is located a ten-minute walk from Kochi Station. It is described in the Yosakoi Bushi (a traditional folk song of Kochi), which is sung at the Yosakoi Matsuri. Japanese people are familiar with its lyrics, which is about a Buddhist monk buying a kanzashi (ornamental hairpin) at Harimayabashi, so it has become a famous sightseeing spot.

Address: Kochi, Kochi, Harimaya-cho 1-1-28

In Conclusion

There are many ways to enjoy Kochi Castle.

For further information, please take a look at the multi-language pamphlets (in English, Korean, simplified/ original Chinese and Thai) which can be downloaded from the official website of Kochi Castle.

Kochi Castle

1-2-1, Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture 780-0850