Nature Spots in Kochi Area

  • Ryugado Cave
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    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Kamishi Tosayamadachousakakawa 1424
    Ryugado Cave is a sightseeing limestone cave which is representative of Japan, which is said to have been formed over roughly 175 million years. There are remains of a cave dwelling from the Yayoi period in the vicinity of the entrance of an internal cave, and “Kami no Tsubo” can be seen within the cave in which Yayoi pottery has been integrated into stalactites. You can enjoy the beauty of nature moulding such as stalactite, stalagmite or celestial stone of 11 meters in height in this cave. There is a standard sightseeing course of about one kilometer but the 90 minute course in which you stretch and make progress through narrow caves and also the “Adventure Course” in which you climb onto three meter high rocks using ropes are also popular.

    You enter the cave complex at the bottom of a hill and climb up and up before exiting into sunlight, and then it’s a long staircase and walkway back down. I didn’t see any warnings (in English) that...

  • Cape Muroto
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Murotoshi Murotomisakichou
    Cape Muroto has been selected as one of Japan’s best 100 coastal spots. It is a beautiful scenic spot where visitors can see the deep blue ocean, and a white lighthouse stands at the very tip of the cape.
  • Katsurahama Beach
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Urado
    This is one of the places of scenic beauty which is representative of Kochi Prefecture. It is a popular venue for viewing the moon as it commands a view over Tosa Bay, and “Yosakoi” (traditional Kochi dance) melodies are also sung. At Katsurahama Beach, The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum and a statue of the leader to which Tosa gave birth at the end of the Edo period, Sakamoto Ryoma as he calmly gazes in the direction of the Pacific Ocean and there is also a monument of the literary figure, Omachi Keigetsu. The Katsurahama Kangetsusai Festival is held around the time of the “Chushu no Meigetsu” (Harvest moon).
  • Cape Ashizuri
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Tosashimizushi Ashizurimisaki
    Cape Ashizuri is a cape at the very tip of Ashizuri Peninsula protruding out into the cobalt blue sea. The contrast of the white water crashing against the steep cliff faces and the blue of the deep sea is a sight worth seeing. The Cape Ashizuri Observatory commands a view of more than 270 degrees allowing visitors to truly appreciate the roundness of the earth.
  • Shimanto River
    Travel / Tourism
    Kochi Prefecture Tsuno Town, Yusuhara Town, Nakatosa Town, Shimanto Town, Shimanto City
    With its source high up in the 1,336 meter peaks of Mt. Irazu, a watershed of 2,270 square kilometers and a length of 196 kilometers, the Shimanto River is the longest river in Shikoku. Known as the last clear stream in Japan on account of there not being any dams the river still has much culture which links the people to the river such as the distinctive chinkabashi, or sinking bridges, designed so as not to be washed away in times of flood, as well as the various kinds of smoked fish which have resulted from the fishing in this area. The Shimanto River, blessed with a wide width and large volume of water, is gaining popularity as a Mecca for water sports such as canoing, boating, and wind surfing.
  • Shikoku Karst (Kochi Side)
    Travel / Tourism
    Kochi Ehime
  • Kashiwa Island
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Hatagunotsukichou Kashiwajima
    This small island located at the southwestern tip of Otsuki Town, Hata County has a circumference of approximately four kilometers and a population of about 400 people. The currents of the Bungo Channel meet the Kuroshio Current in the waters off the island, which are home to a great variety of fish. As many as one third of all the species in Japan live there, making it one of the world's most famous diving spots. In addition, the island is visited by many tourists who come from great distances to see its incredibly clear waters, which have been described as looking as if boats were floating in midair.
  • Nakatsu Gorge
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Agawagunniyodogawachou Nanokawa
    This river gorge is located in Nanokawa, Niyodogawa Town, Agawa County. It is a good spot for viewing the beautiful ''Niyodo Blue'' surface of the Niyodo River, which is known as ''the Miraculous Stream'' for the high quality of its water. A promenade has been built along the gorge, allowing visitors to take a walk while viewing the 20-meter-high Uryu Falls, the Ryugubuchi Falls, the Momiji Falls, and other sights.
  • Sameura Dam
    Travel / Tourism
    Kochi Prefecture Tosa-gun Tosa Town
    This dam is located along the Yoshino River in Obuchi, Tosa Town, Tosa County. The 106-meter-tall, 400-meter-long dam forms the dam lake, Lake Sameura. Visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing and other aquatic sports. The dam also hosts events including the Lake Sameura Water Festival in August and the Sameura no Sato Lakeside Marathon in November.
  • Yasui Gorge
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Agawagunniyodogawachou Oya
    This river gorge is located in Oya, Niyodogawa Town, Agawa County along Niyodo River, which is known as ''the Miraculous Stream'' for the high quality of its water. Visitors can enjoy viewing the beautiful ''Niyodo Blue'' surface of the river. There are a number of spots for visitors to check out, including several waterfalls as well as crystal pools that change appearance depending on the time and the season. The scenery is especially beautiful when the fall foliage or fresh greenery comes in.
  • Ikumi Beach
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Akiguntouyouchou Ikumi
    This coast located along the Tosa Higashi Highway in Ikumi, Toyo Town, Aki County is well known as Shikoku's biggest surfing spot. Surfers come from outside the prefecture for its great waves. Many surfing competitions are also held here.
  • Godai-san (Mt. Godai)
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Godaisan
    Located in the southeastern part of Kochi City, Godai-san (Mt. Godai) is a 146-meter-high hill that is famous for its flowers. It looks out over Urado Bay; according to legend, the name “Godai-san” was given to the hill by the monk Gyoki, after the famous holy mountain Wutai-shan in China. The observation platform on the summit of the hill affords marvelous views of both Kochi City and Urado Bay. At the foot of the hill are located the Chikurin-ji Temple (which is the 31st temple visited on the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage), the Gyuko-ji Temple, and the Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden. Godai-san is situated around 21 minutes by bus from Kochi Station; get off at the Godai-san Observation Platform stop.
  • Hakusan Domon
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Tosashimizushi Ashizurimisaki
    This natural tunnel is located at Cape Ashizuri in Tosashimizu City. Formed from marine erosion, the 16 meter-tall, 17-meter-wide natural granite tunnel is the largest of its kind in Japan. Designated as a prefectural natural monument, the tunnel can be viewed up close from the beach by using the promenade.
  • Mikurodo Cave
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Murotoshi Murotomisakichou
    This cave is located on the side of National Route 55 in Murotomisaki-cho, Muroto City. It is one of the many places that still remain in Muroto with connections to the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. It is said that Kobo Daishi lived here during his ascetic practices in his younger years and that he discovered enlightenment in this cave. The cave is also the site of Gosho Shrine and is adjacent to Shinmeikutsu Cave, which is said to have been used for ascetic practices by Kobo Daishi.
  • Ioki Cave Fern Colony
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Akishi Ioki
    This cluster of ferns grows wild inside Ioki Cave in Ioki, Aki City. Seven varieties of fern grow in mass inside the natural cave, which was formed by marine erosion. The valuable cluster has been designated as a national natural monument for the large number of varieties that coexist there.
  • Niyodo River
    Travel / Tourism
    Hidaka Village, Takaoka-gun, Kochi Prefecture
    This class A river flows through Kochi Prefecture. The river flows 124 kilometers from its source in the foothills of Mount Ishizuchi?, the tallest mountain in west Japan, before spilling into the Pacific Ocean. Known as one of the clearest of all the rivers in Japan, the color of its glittering clear blue water is referred to as Niyodo Blue. The river's watershed is dotted with numerous scenic spots including Yasui Gorge, Nakatsu Gorge, and Nikobuchi.
  • Tatsukushi
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Tosashimizushi
    This scenic spot is located in Tatsukushi, Tosashimizu City. Coastal erosion by wind and waves results in a rock formation called honeycomb, and visitors can enjoy geologically significant rocks and beautiful views. The Tatsukushi Coast was designated as Japan’s first “underwater park” (currently called “marine parks”) and is also home to Japan’s largest Shikorosango coral cluster. Visitors can enjoy diving, swimming, and even taking a ride on glass-bottomed boats that allow passengers to observe the underwater life from above the waves.
  • Minokoshi Kaigan Coast
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Tosashimizushi Tatsukushi
    This is a spot of picturesque scenery of strange rocks of various sizes eroded by the sea and wind. It is said that the origin of the name comes from the words of the high priest Kobo Daishi (Kukai) when he once trained in Shikoku. Due to the rugged landscape he missed seeing the sight, “Minokoshita” in Japanese. There are walkways in the surrounding area, and visitors can see strange rocks including Mermaid Palace and Love Rock up close.
  • Todoroki Falls
    Travel / Tourism
    Tokushima
  • Mikurodo and Shinmeikutsu Caves
    Travel / Tourism
    Kochi Muroto-shi Murotomisakicho
    Muroto City has lots of spots with ties to Kobo Daishi (Kukai). This cave is one of them. Legend says he stayed there while young during his ascetic training about 1,200 years ago and achieved enlightenment. Gosho-jinja Shrine is inside. The location has been selected as one of the top 100 soundscapes in Japan.

Kochi Areas

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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.

Kochi Photo Album

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