How to Spend 24 Hours in Kochi, Japan

To start your one-day Tosa adventure, you’ll fly into Kochi Ryoma Airport which has daily domestic flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. From the airport, catch an airport limousine bus to the city center (about 30 minutes).

Kochi Ryoma Airport, Hisaeda-Otsu 58, Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

One thing you can’t miss upon arriving at JR Kochi Station is the monument to three samurai from Tosa who devoted themselves to the task of modernizing Japan in the 1800s: Hanpeita Takechi, Shintaro Nakaoka, and, of course, Ryoma Sakamoto.

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It’s worth stopping by the café Cocochi Coffee inside JR Kochi Station for a ‘RYOMA cappuccino’ with samurai latte art. If you missed breakfast, you might also want to grab a pastry from the station bakery to hold you over until lunch time. Leave your luggage in a locker at the station, or head to your accommodations at Kochi Sunrise Hotel early (more on this below), where the front desk will hold your luggage for you until check in.

Cocochi Coffee, Sakaeda-cho 2-1-10, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, +81-88-854-8195

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Kochi Castle, like many traditional Japanese castles, is located on a hill. Before making the climb up, stop by the Kochi Castle Museum of History located just outside the castle grounds. Their ‘Kochi Castle Combination Ticket’ covers both the museum and entrance into Kochi Castle itself. The museum has a digital guide for smartphone and tablets, with translations available in five different languages.

Kochi Castle Museum of History, Otesuji 2-7-5, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, +81-88-871-1600

Kochi Castle is one of just twelve of Japan’s original castles that are still standing today. The current castle tower was built during the Edo period in 1749, although it is technically older than that as the original castle was first constructed in 1603 but burned down in a fire in 1727. Since then, the ancient castle has survived natural disasters, a government-ordered dismantling program, and World War II, and is remarkably well-preserved.

One of the charms of Kochi Castle is how little has been changed. All areas of the castle tower are open to the public, and the lacquered balcony at the top offers some great views of the surrounding area.

On your way down from the castle, enjoy a well-deserved treat from one of the old-fashioned ‘ice crin’ vendors you encounter.

Kochi Castle, 1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

Torishin is the kind of place you’d never find unless you were brought here by a local. One of the most popular lunch spots in Kochi City, Torishin specializes in down-home chicken dishes. Their Chicken Nanban Teishoku lunch set is their most popular item, featuring a fried chicken cutlet topped with tartar sauce and a vinegar dressing.

Torishin, Honmachi 4-1-49, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, +81-88-875-1105

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Kochi Sunrise Hotel is both reasonably priced and centrally located, with the local tram stop Ohashidori located just outside. They also have an excellent Japanese-style breakfast.

Kochi Sunrise Hotel, Honmachi 2-2-31, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, +81-88-822-1281

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Although this Kochi landmark holds the reputation of one of the ‘most disappointing sightseeing spots in Japan’, it’s actually quite charming. An arched wooden bridge that spans a small canal on a quaint shopping street, Hariyama Bridge is known in Japan as the setting of a tale of forbidden love and a traditional folk song. The lyrics of the song translate to:
In Kochi, I spotted a monk at Harimaya Bridge buying a hairpin [for his lover]. Come dance with me at night, come dance with me at night.
If you temper your expectations a bit, you’ll probably find the bridge quite delightful! There’s even an old clock tower across the street from Harimaaa Bridge that plays the melody of the original folk song periodically throughout the day.

Harimaya Bridge, Harimaya-cho 1-2, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

Learn the history of Kochi’s popular local style of dance at the Kochi Yosakoi Information Exchange Center. You can watch footage from past festivals, try out the steps to a classic yosakoi dance, and even take a commemorative photo wearing colorful yosakoi costumes. Admission is free.

Kochi Yosakoi Information Exchange Center, Harimaya-cho 1-10-1, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, +81-88-880-4351

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You can walk from the yosakoi museum to Obiyamachi, Kochi City’s main shopping arcade. Here you’ll find a large variety of shops, including traditional Japanese handicrafts, Kochi snacks and souvenirs, and even an official store with fan merchandise for the city’s most famous yosakoi team, Honiya.

The arcade is fully covered, which provides insulation in the winter and shade from the summer heat. Pop into one of Obiyamachi’s many cafés if you find yourself needing a break or a small snack before dinner.

At the other end of Obiyamachi, you’ll come upon Hirome Ichiba, a combination fish market, food court, and beer hall. Grab dinner from one of the many food stands in the marketplace and take a seat anywhere you can find an open spot. If it’s crowded, don’t be afraid to share a table — Kochi locals are extremely friendly, so grab a yuzu beer and get ready to say, Kanpai! (Cheers!)

Hirome Ichiba, Obiyamachi 2-3-1, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

Enjoy a traditional Japanese-style breakfast at your hotel of grilled fish caught from the Tosa sea, Japanese omelet, rice, miso soup, and a variety of side dishes made with local produce and seafood. After breakfast, you can leave your bags with the front desk after check-out and explore a bit more before flying out.

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The Tosa Sunday Market first opened in 1690 and is Japan’s oldest open-air market. It has over 500 stalls along a 1 km stretch where you’ll find everything from fresh produce and seafood to world-class knives and hand-carved trinkets. It’s the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs before you head to the airport and set off for your next destination in Japan.

Sunday Market, Otesuji Street, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan