History / Culture / Tour Spots in Kochi Area

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Kochi Castle

4.0

1177 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Marunouchi 1-2-1

A castle called “Otakasayama Castle” was built before the Warring States Period, but Kochi Castle was established by the first Tosa feudal lord, Yamanouchi Kazutoyo at the beginning of the Edo period. It is also known as the only castle where the structures in the inner citadel remain completely intact. 15 of the buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. There are also statues of Taisuke Itagaki, Yamanouchi Kazutoyo and his wife, Chiyo located near Ote-mon gate, and the castle keep’s magical form rises from the surface as it is illuminated at night.

I came to Kochi mainly to see the Kochi Castle as it is one of Japans original castles. There is paid parking at the base of the castle. Once you walk through the gate, the walk to the castle is not...
Kochi Prefecture Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum

4.0

268 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kochi Kochi-shi Urado Shiroyama 830

Not only does this museum have very important artefacts on display in the halls, the building itself is of a special design overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can even get onto the rooftop to get a...
Chikurin-ji Temple

4.5

204 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Godaisan 3577

The Chikurin-ji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple of the Chizan school, located on Godai-san (Mt. Godai) in Kochi City. The temple’s full formal name is Godai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji. The temple was founded by the monk Gyoki in 724; it was designated by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) as one of the temples included in the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage, and subsequently became known as one of the most renowned ancient temples in the Tosa region. The main object of veneration in the temple is a statue of Monju Bosatsu (the bodhisattva Manjushri), who is associated with insight and wisdom, so students often come to the temple to pray for success in their exams. Besides the main hall, the Daishi-do hall, the five-storied pagoda, and the garden (which is reputed to have been created by the master garden planner Muso Kokushi) are all worth seeing. The temple houses a considerable number of designated Important Cultural Properties.

This experience was hard to put into words. We were in Japan from America for two weeks of business and managed to squeak in some sight-seeing. About half that time was in Kochi, which was...
Kongofuku-ji Temple

4.0

117 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Tosashimizushi Ashizurimisaki 214-1

Kongofuku-ji Temple is a Buzan school Shingon Buddhist temple located in Tosa-Shimizu City near the southernmost point in Shikoku. The temple’s formal name is Sada-zan Fudaraku-in; it is the 38th temple visited on the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is situated halfway up a hill, looking out over Cape Ashizuri. According to legend, the temple was founded in 822 when the monk Kukai carved a statue of Senju Kannon (Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, with One Thousand Arms) here on the orders of the Saga Emperor. In the Heian period, the Kongofuku-ji Temple was visited by large numbers of Kannon worshippers; visitors to the temple during this period included emissaries from the consort of the Go-Fukakusa Emperor, and the poet Izumi Shikibu.

The famous temple 38 on the Shikoku pilgrimage route, revered place of contemplation and blessing. I particularly enjoyed the wild rock garden and the smaller shrines and images of the Buddha sound...
Takashi Yanase Memorial Museum Anpanman Museum

4.5

124 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kamishi Kahokuchoubirafu 1224-2

The Anpanman Museum at Takashi Yanase Memorial Museum was established in 1996 with the intention of collecting, studying and displaying the diverse and creative works of Takashi Yanase, the creator of Anpanman. There are plenty of things to see and do such as the Takashi Yanase Gallery and Anpanman Theater with original drawings from his picture books and animations, as well as The Repository with all sorts of character goods on display. Both adults and children can enjoy the museum to their heart’s content. The three meter high Fighting Anpanman Statue is also a great place for photos.

There is a small Anpanman-themed space at the basement where you can take photos, an Anpanman art gallery at the second or third floor, and a gift shop at the ground floor. Honestly, not worth your...
Ryoma's Birthplace Memorial Museum

4.0

147 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Kamimachi 2-6-33

This memorial museum is located in Kamimachi Town, Kochi City, the birthplace of Sakamoto Ryoma. It introduces the history and culture of Kamimachi Town, and the family and people relating to Sakamoto Ryoma in an easy-to-understand way using various materials such as models and virtual experience videos. Volunteer guides are available in the museum to guide you around the exhibition. Historic tours beginning at the museum visiting places relating to Ryoma are also gathering popularity (reservations required in advance).

You can learn about Ryoma Sakamoto by letters, video, photos and a lot of documents! If he was not there, we can’t live like now!!! We need to appreciate his big work!
The Museum of Art, Kochi

4.0

53 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Takasu 353-2

This art museum opened in 1993 in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture and is known for its over 1,200 items comprising a global collection of Marc Chagall’s works. There are also many other works of modern and contemporary art on display, as well as art by local artists. The collection-based exhibits regularly rotate works from among its massive collection. The building also includes a hall for the performance arts and a photography center showcasing the works of Kochi-born photographer Yasuhiro Ishimoto. Various exhibitions and workshops are held as well.

We particularly liked the pictures that the artist painted along the Silk Road. His use of vivid colors isa highlight of his work.
Tosa-jinja Shrine

4.0

55 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Ikkushinane 2-16-1

This shrine is located in Ikkushinane, Kochi City. Said to date back to ancient times, it enshrines Ajisukitakahikone no Kami, the Shinto deity of land development and industrial prosperity, and Hitokotonushi no Kami, the Shinto deity of harmony and cooperation. It is widely believed to grant visitors wishes for better fortune and good luck. The current main building designated a national cultural important property was rebuilt in 1570 by the samurai warlord Chosokabe Motochika.

高知駅から2駅目「高知一宮(こうちいっく)」駅から歩いて15分くらいの場所にあります。長い参道を歩いて厳かな雰囲気の場所に拝殿・本殿があります。拝殿・本殿の周りを10分くらいかけて散策できます。本殿は鮮やかな朱塗りです。
Kochi Castle Museum of History

4.0

74 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Otesuji 2-7-5

This museum is adjacent to Kochi Castle in Otesuji, Kochi City. Its collection contains some 67,000 valuable artifacts handed down by generations of the Yamauchi family, who were the lords of the Tosa Domain, as well as historical artifacts related to the Tosa Domain and Kochi Prefecture. Visitors can learn about the history of Tosa through museum exhibits, including some hands-on exhibits, as well as through events including special exhibitions and interactive lectures. The museum also has an observation lobby with a commanding view of Kochi Castle, a tea room, and other facilities.

Might be worth a look for nonJapanese tourists, certainly worth a look if you or your partner read Japanese . There were some stamps and astronmy cards for kids, but it probably is not the best...
Dokkozan Shoryuji Temple

4.0

35 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Tosashi Usachou Ryu 601

Located 20 minutes by car from Tosa Interchange, this temple is 38th of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. It is said that when Kobo Daishi studied in China, he prayed to the gods to find suitable locations for sacred places by throwing three ritual implements (a gokosho pestle, a sankosho pestle and a dokkosho pestle); the dokkosho pestle landed here and the temple was founded. The principal object of worship is Namikiri Fudomyo which guards against accidents at sea. It was accessed by boat across Uranouchi Bay until 1973 when the bridge opened. That is why the main hall has many votives of boats. A must-see is the seated statue of Aizenmyoo, a Nationally Important Cultural Property, enshrined in the main hall.

第３６番札所青龍寺この旅の最終日はこちらのお寺から。本堂までは１７０段ほどの石段、雨で滑りやすくなっていましたが逆に雰囲気はよくありがたい感じです。明徳義塾のそばにあり横綱朝青龍関は在校中こちらで鍛錬していたそうでしこ名の由来にもなったそうです。山すそにひっそりとある本堂の静寂も良かったです。
Kaiyodo Hobby Museum Shimanto

4.0

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kouchi Pref. Takaokagunshimantochou Utsuigawa 1458-1

Kaiyodo Hobby Museum Shimanto is a museum housed in the gymnasium of the former Utsuigawa Elementary School which closed in 2009. There are many pieces on display such as Kaiyodo’s world famous figures, plastic models and garage kits. The huge Catalan ship is an impressive sight. There is also a diorama classroom where visitors can make mini-figurines.

I am not a hobbist but it brings back some nostalgic moments of ultra man..worth a visit. my wife loves it. amd fancinating art work of miniatures.
Kochi Yosakoi Joho Koryukan

4.0

73 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Harimayachou 1-10-1

The Kochi Yosakoi Joho Koryukan is a museum that showcases the history and appeal of the Yosakoi Festival, which was founded in 1954. There is a “Yosakoi Theatre” with a 150-inch large-screen display showing how the Yosakoi Festival has developed over time, which really makes visitors feel as though they are watching the Festival in real life, along with a “Yosakoi Experience Corner” where visitors can try on the costumes worn by Yosakoi Festival dancers. Both adults and children will enjoy a visit here.

We went into this little museum on a recent cruise visit to Kochi - it is dedicated to the Yosakoi festivals, where participants wear brightly coloured costumes while dancing. There was a video to...
Io-zan Kiyotakiji Temple

3.5

33 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Tosashi Takaokachou Tei 568-1

The Io-zan Kiyotakiji Temple is the 35th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. According to tradition, the temple was originally founded in 723 as the Keisanmitsu-in Takumokuji Temple by the bodhisattva Gyoki, who carved a statue of the Yakushi Nyorai Buddha (Medicine Buddha) to serve as the main object of veneration in the temple. At a later date, Kobo Daishi visited the site, and prayed to Akai Gongen and Ryuo Gongen for a good harvest on a rock near the main hall of the temple. On the day when his prayer was answered, Kobo Daishi touched the altar in front of him with his staff, and clear spring-water gushed out, creating a pool with a mirror-like surface, from which the Kiyotakiji Temple takes its name.

大きな薬師如来像と、景色が素晴らしいお寺です。到着まで車での道のりは険しいです。狭くて急でした。対向車が来ませんようにー、と願いながらの上り下りでした。すれ違いの場所がたまにあるので、そこで譲り合いをすれば大丈夫だと思います。運転される方はとにかくお気をつけていってらっしゃい。
Sekkeiji Temple

3.5

35 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Nagahama 857-3

This temple belongs to the Rinzai sect of Myoshinji Temple and is located in Nagahama in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, and it is the 33rd temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It was built in 815 by Kukai as Kofukuji Temple of the Shingon sect, and Chosokabe Motochika, a Sengoku daimyo of Tosa, changed its affiliation to the Rinzai sect. Afterward, it became the family temple of the Chosokabe family and was renamed Sekkeiji Temple. Enshrined at the temple are the principal image of Bhaisajyaguru with flanking samurai, sculpted by Unkei in the Kamakura period, as well as the triad Vaisravana sculpted by Tankei, which have been designated National Important Cultural Properties.

桂浜から高知市内中心部へ車で移動途中に立ち寄りました。前に数台分の駐車場がありました。八十八箇所の第三十三札所です。解説を読むと鎌倉時代まで遡る古いお寺で明治になり一度廃仏毀釈で廃寺になったものを再度復興と歴史の流れにあるお寺のようです。隣に神社がありますが、元々の神仏混淆の名残りでしょうか。
Hachiyo-zan Zenjibu-ji Temple

4.5

28 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Nankokushi Tochi 3084

The Hachiyo-zan Zenjibu-ji Temple is the 32nd temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. According to tradition, the Temple was founded by the bodhisattva Gyoki in the 8th century on the orders of Emperor Shomu, to pray for the safety of ships crossing the sea to and from Tosa. Later on, Kobo Daishi visited the site, and carved a statue of the bodhisattva Kannon with eleven faces to serve as the main object of veneration for the Temple. During the era when this region was administered as part of the Tosa domain, successive lords of the domain maintained a close relationship with the Zenjibu-ji Temple, coming here to pray for a safe journey whenever they had to travel by sea when returning to Edo to fulfill their responsibilities under the alternate attendance system (which required the lords of each domain to spend half of their time in Edo). The Temple is familiarly known as “Minen-ji” or “Mine-ji” by locals, because of its location on Mt. Mine.

八葉山求聞持院禅師峰寺（はちようざんぐもんじいん...
Shakki-zan Enkoji Temple

4.0

28 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Sukumoshi Hiratachou Nakayama 390

This temple belongs to the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism and is located in Hirata Town in Sukumo City, Kochi Prefecture, and it is the 39th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The honorific “Shakki-zan” mountain name affixed to the temple name originated in the year 911, when legends say a red turtle carried a copper temple bell here from the Dragon Palace. The bell is inscribed with the date 911 as well, and it is a National Important Cultural Property. The temple was constructed long ago. It is said that Gyoki sculpted the principal image of Bhaisajyaguru in 724, as well as built 12 residences for the Buddhist priests. On the temple grounds, there’s a stone statue of a large red turtle as well as a fountain associated with Kukai known as the “eyewash well” and said to cure eye ailments.

第３９番札所延光寺、愛媛県から高知県に入ってすぐの寺院です。竜宮城伝説が伝わり、眼病にご利益があるという古刹、境内も広くはないものの見ごたえがあってよかったです。国道からは少し細い道で５分ちょっと、アクセスも悪くなかったです。
Chikurinzan Konomineji Temple

4.0

26 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Akigunyasudachou Tounohama 2594

This temple on the side of Mt. Kounomine is located in Tounohama, Yasuda Town, Aki County. It is the 27th of 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Originally built during the time of Empress Jingu as a Shinto temple, Buddhist images were later enshrined there together with Shinto deities by the Buddhist priest Gyoki. It was later established as a Buddhist temple by the monk Kobo Daishi. An anecdote exists about the mother of Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu, who visited the temple 21 days in a row to wish for her son’s success.

第２７番札所神峯寺国道から山道へ、うねうねしながら進んだ先にひっそりと山肌に境内はあります。駐車場から山道を歩いて山門までは５分ほど、本堂はさらに階段を上り進みます。本堂は霧に包まれていて景色は楽しめませんでしたが雰囲気は素晴らしい。人もまばらでゆっくりとお参りすることができました。
Hokai-zan Dainichi-ji Temple

4.0

29 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Kounanshi Noichichoubodaiji 476

The Hokai-zan Dainichi-ji Temple is the 28th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It was founded in the 8th century when the bodhisattva Gyoki carved a statue of the Dainichi-Nyorai Buddha to serve as the main object of veneration for the Temple. The Temple was later abandoned; according to tradition, it was reestablished when Kobo Daishi visited the site and carved a statue of the Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) out of a large Camphor tree with his fingernails. The Temple’s statue of the Konzaikai Dainichi Nyorai Buddha in a seated posture, which is said to have been carved by the bodhisattva Gyoki, has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The Hon-do (main hall), the renovation of which was completed in 1997, is made entirely of wood, fitted together without requiring the use of a single nail.

自分が宿泊していたホテルから近く、町中にあるお寺ですが雰囲気はよく、気持ちよく参拝できました。無料の駐車場もあります。
Manisan Kokubunji Temple

4.0

28 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Nankokushi Kokubu 546

This is a Shingon school Chisan-ha temple in Kokubu in Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture and is 29th temple of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. The entire grounds are designated as a national historic site. It is one of the 68 kokubunji temples that Emperor Shomu built across the country and was established with the thousand-armed kannon that Gyoki made himself in 741 as the principal object of worship. It was later restored by Kobo Daishi as a Shingon school temple. The main hall with its Tenpyo period-style exterior and its interior with features of the Muromachi period, the temple bell and the wooden statue of the Bhaisajyaguru are Nationally Important Cultural Properties. The garden with its beautiful hair moss is also a must-see.

まわりは田んぼでのんびりした場所にある立派なお寺です。朝9時からお寺カフェでの抹茶や写経もできるようですが、自分が朝早く着いてしまい時間の都合上今回は体験していません。とてもいい雰囲気のお寺でしたので次回はこれらを体験しに再訪したいです。
Kongochoji Temple

4.0

29 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Murotoshi Moto Otsu 523

This temple is 26th of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. It is said that Kobo Daishi made the Bhaisajyaguru at the behest of Emperor Heizei and the temple was established with this at the principal object of worship. It was originally a temple that did not allow women therefore they had to worship at the women’s temple that had been built around four kilometers away. It has several Buddhist statues including the wooden seated statue of Amitabha stored in the repository and which have been designated as Nationally Important Cultural Properties. There is a large red pot called the Ichiryu Manbai Pot and it is said Kobo Daishi saved the people from starvation by cooking rice in the pot and multiplying it by 10,000.

第２６番札所金剛頂寺思ったほど高台にはありませんが少し登ります。うっそうとした原生林に囲まれている先には広い境内。夕方に差し掛かりそうな時間で人影はまばらだったのでゆっくりとお参りしながら見て回ることができました。

Kochi

Kochi City Kami / Konan Aki / Muroto Around Niyodo River Susaki / Kure / Yusuhara Shimanto River / Ashizuri

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Kochi Areas

The largest of Shikoku’s prefectures, Kochi is endowed with some of the island’s most exceptional sand beaches lining the Pacific Ocean, which narrows into the Shimanto-gawa, a huge river that stretches 196 kilometers into the prefecture, passing verdant mountains and hosting countless riverside activities. Whether you’re a pilgrim or not, Kochi’s 16 Buddhist temples that make up one leg of the Shikoku Pilgrimage are worth a visit, particularly Chikurin-ji for its five-tier pagoda.