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KOCHI |
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Sun-kissed KOCHI lies dead centre of the arch-shaped southern
prefecture of Shikoku. Texts from 712 refer to the area as "Takeyoriwake",
meaning "brave and manly country" - a reputation enforced by the city
being the birthplace of some of Japan's most impressive historical
figures. Tosa was the next name of the area and is still used by people
today, particularly when referring to the local cuisine. It wasn't until
1603, when ruling daimyo Yamaguchi Katsutoyo named his castle Kochiyama
(now Kochi-jo), that the city adopted its present name.
The castle is still the highlight of any visit to Kochi. To see anything
else of interest requires a short journey out of the city centre. The
most immediately rewarding trip is to Godai-san-koen , a mountain-top
park overlooking the city, and the nearby Chikurin-ji , the 31st temple
on the pilgrimage circuit. South of the city lies Katsurahama, with its
celebrated beach and Tosa fighting dogs, though in fact the most
interesting attraction here is the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum ,
dedicated to a local hero of the Meiji Restoration.
Kochi-ken is predominantly rural, and the people here are refreshingly
down-to-earth, something you'll discover if you time your visit to
coincide with a three-hundred-year-old institution, the weekly Sunday
market on Kochi's Otesuji-dori when farmers from all over the prefecture
bring their produce to town. Even so, the capital is no hick town. On
the contrary, Kochi has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel, with its wide,
palm-lined avenues, network of rivers and shopping arcades, and gently
trundling trams. Also it's well worth attending the Yosokoi Matsuri ,
Kochi's O-bon festival - with 14,000 plus dancers, it might not be as
big as Tokushima's Awa Odori, which it immediately precedes from August
9-12, but it's just as colourful.
The City
Kochi's best-known fable concerns a romantic monk who courted a lady
beside the Harimaya-bashi . A small re-creation of this red-railed
bridge can be found ten minutes' walk south from the station - either
side of which are pleasant landscaped promenades for the stream below.
Also look out for the telephone box on the left as you emerge from Kochi
Station; it is crowned with a small statue of the monk and his
kimono-dressed paramour. Once you've checked out the bridge, proceed on
to the city's main attraction, Kochi castle , best followed up with a
visit to the Museum of Art to the east. Kochi's other main sights -
Godai-san-koen , the temple Chikurin-ji and the beach at Katsurahama -
are all short journeys from the city centre by bus.
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