Kōchi, Kōchi: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 33°33′32″N 133°31′53″E / 33.55889°N 133.53139°E / 33.55889; 133.53139
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{{Short description|City in Japan}}
{{Japanese city|
{{For|the city in India|Kochi}}
Name = Kōchi City|
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
JapaneseName=高知市|
{{Use British English|date=September 2022}}
Prefecture=[[Kōchi Prefecture]]|
{{Infobox settlement
Region=[[Shikoku]]|
| name = Kōchi
Area=264.23 |
| official_name = Kōchi City
Population=335,341 |
| native_name = {{nobold|高知市}}
PopDate=[[2003]]|
| native_name_lang = ja
Density=1269.13|
| settlement_type = [[Core cities of Japan|Core city]]
Coord=|
| other_name =
Postal code=|
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
Area code=|
| image_skyline = Kochi montage.jpg
Mayor = |
| imagesize =
Tree = |
| image_caption = From top left: Katsurahama, Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, View of Kōchi from Mt. Godai, Yosakoi Festival, Harimayabashi, Tosa Electric Railway, [[Kōchi Castle]]
Flower = |
| image_flag = Flag of Kochi, Kochi.svg
Bird = |
| image_seal = Emblem of Kochi, Kochi.svg
SymbolImage= |
| seal_type = Chapter
CityHallPostalCode = |
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
CityHallAddress= |
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=yes|frame-width=265|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=8}}
CityHallPhone= |
| map_alt =
CityHallLink = [http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/ Kōchi City]|
| map_caption = Location of Kōchi in Kōchi Prefecture
CityMap=|
|image_map1 = Kochi in Kochi Prefecture Ja.svg
Elevation=|
| map_caption1 =
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| coordinates = {{coord|33|33|32|N|133|31|53|E|region:JP-39|display=it}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Shikoku]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 =
<!-- established -->
| established_title =
<!-- Settled -->
| established_date =
| extinct_title = Now part of
| extinct_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
<!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| seat_type =
<!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat =
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes =
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Ryugo Kuwana
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 =
<!-- display settings -->
| total_type =
<!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref = Metric
<!-- area -->
| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2 = 309.00
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m =
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 318,520
| population_as_of = April 1, 2023
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 5-1-45 Honmachi, Kōchi-shi 780-0571
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{Official website|1=http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Chinaberry]]<ref name="symbols">[http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/info/english/vis-003-02.htm ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014114040/http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/info/english/vis-003-02.htm |date=October 14, 2008 }}</ref>
| flower = [[Winter-hazel]]<ref name="symbols"/>
| bird = [[Japanese wagtail]]<ref name="symbols"/>
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|headercolor=#dc143c
|title=Kōchi
|kanji=高知市
|hiragana=こうちし
|romaji=Kōchi-shi
}}
{{nihongo|'''Kōchi'''|高知市|Kōchi-shi|extra={{IPA-ja|koːtɕi ꜜɕi|pron}}}} is the capital [[Cities of Japan|city]] of [[Kōchi Prefecture]] located on the island of [[Shikoku]] in Japan. With over 40% of the prefectural population, Kōchi is the main commercial and industrial centre and the "[[primate city]]" of the prefecture. {{As of|2023|04|01}}, the city had an estimated population of 318,520 in 154,048 households, and a population density of 1,000 persons per km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="Kōchi-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/index2.html|title= Kōchi city official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the city is {{convert|309.00|sqkm|sqmi}}.


==Overview==
[[Image:Obiyamachi.JPG|thumb|left|Obiyamachi in downtown Kochi]]
A symbol of the city is its most famous dish, [[Skipjack tuna|katsuo]] ''[[tataki]]'', made by lightly [[searing]] and seasoning bonito.<ref>[http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/info/english/vis-001-04.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103130658/http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/info/english/vis-001-04.htm|date=November 3, 2008}}</ref>


===Cityscape===
{{nihongo|'''Kōchi'''|高知市|Kōchi-shi}} is the capital [[cities of Japan|city]] of [[Kōchi Prefecture]] on the [[Shikoku]] island of [[Japan]].
<gallery>
File:Kochi Japan.jpg|[[Skyline]] of Kōchi City（2006）
File:080229 Obiyamachi Street Kochi Kochi pref Japan01s.jpg|Obiyamachi in Downtown Kōchi City（2008）
File:Nichiyoichi.jpg|Sunday street markets（2009）
File:Kochi-City.jpg|CBD of Kōchi City（2010）
File:高知城 天守からの景色3 Kochi Castle - panoramio.jpg|Views from [[Kōchi Castle]] Keep Tower（2013）
File:Kochi Castle, enkei.jpg|[[Kōchi Castle]]（2020）
</gallery>


==Geography==
Kochi is the main city of the prefecture with most of the population. As of the [[January 1]], [[2005]] expansion but with [[2003]] population estimates, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 335,341 and a [[population density|density]] of 1,269 persons per [[square kilometer|km²]]. The total area is 264.23 km².
[[File:Urado, Kochi, Kochi Prefecture 781-0262, Japan - panoramio (2).jpg|thumb|200px|none|Katsura Hama]]
Kōchi is located on the southern coast of Kōchi Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean to the south. The city area can be divided into three distinct geographic sections. The urban centre lies at the head of [[Urado Bay]], in a narrow [[alluvial plain]] crossed by several rivers, notably the [[Kagami River]] and [[Kokubu River]]. The plain is bounded by mountains to the north and a range of hills to the south and west.


The northern mountains form the least densely populated part of the city, with the only settlement being along narrow river valleys. The highest point in Kōchi is Kuishi-yama at {{convert|1176|m|ft|0}}.
The city was incorporated on [[April 1]], [[1889]], although a castle town had existed around the seat of the lords of [[Tosa Province]] since [[1603]]. The castle, [[Kōchi-jō]] (高知城), still exists, and is one of the main tourist attractions. Other places of interest are the [[Anpanman]] Museum, the [[Obiyamachi]] (帯屋町) shopping arcade, Sunday Market Street, and [[Harimaya-bashi]] (はりまや橋), a bridge that served as a meeting spot for a Buddhist priest and his lover in a famous Japanese song. There are many other places to visit in Kochi, especially [[Katsurahama|Katsurahama]] and its aquarium, a coastline and beach, The [[Ryugado|Ryugado]], an ancient cave hike that is 1.9 KM long in total, [[Gomen, Japan|Gomen]], [[Nankoku, Japan|Nankoku-shi]], and many other interactive places to visit, scenic viewpoints, and many places to shop in Downtown Kochi, especially in [[Obiyamachi|Obiyamachi]], as mentioned above.


To the south of the city centre, Urado Bay cuts through the hills to its outlet into the Pacific Ocean. The land surrounding the bay and a small strip of the coastline form the third part of the city. This area, although hillier and less dense than the plain, is nevertheless a major location of housing and port-related [[Industrial sector|industry]].
Kochi's most famous festival is the [[Yosakoi]] (よさこい　come to the night) which is held in August. Teams of dancers dance to a traditional and modern songs at various places in Kochi City. The total number of dancers is in the thousands.
[[Image:Kochi Japan.JPG|thumb|right|Downtown Kochi, Japan]]
==Expansions==
On [[January 1]], [[2005]] the villages of [[Kagami, Kochi (Tosa)|Kagami]] and [[Tosayama, Kochi|Tosayama]], both from [[Tosa District, Kochi|Tosa District]], merged into the city.
[[Image:Harimayabashi.JPG|thumb|right|Harimaya-bashi]]
==Sister cities==
*{{flagicon|US}} - [[Fresno, California]], [[USA]]
*{{flagicon|China}} - [[Wuhu|Wuhu, China]]
*{{flagicon|Japan}} - [[Kitami, Hokkaidō|Kitami, Japan]]
*{{flagicon|Indonesia}} - [[Surabaya, Indonesia]]
*{{flagicon|Iran}} - [[Mashhad]], [[Iran]]


=== Neighbouring municipalities ===
==Famous residents==
Kōchi Prefecture
*[[Sakamoto Ryoma]], samurai and Tokugawa-era reformer
* [[Nankoku, Kōchi|Nankoku]]
*[[Nakahama Manjiro]], "John Manjiro," Meiji-era figure
* [[Tosa, Kōchi|Tosa City]]
*[[Tsutomu Seki]], astronomer
* [[Tosa, Kōchi (town)|Tosa Town]]
*[[Nobuo Uematsu]], composer
* [[Ino, Kōchi|Ino]]
*[[Ryoko Hirosue]], actress in ''[[Wasabi (film)|Wasabi]]''
*[[Takashi Yanase]], Anpanman creator


==External links==
===Climate===
Kōchi has a very wet [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa''), receiving twice as much rainfall as Shikoku's other chief cities [[Matsuyama]] and [[Takamatsu, Kagawa|Takamatsu]]. It is also the most [[typhoon]]-prone of Japan's major cities owing to its location directly exposed to the open Pacific Ocean from which the storms enter the country, and has twice received over {{convert|50|cm|abbr=on}} of rainfall in a day from a typhoon.
* [http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/ Kochi official website] in Japanese
* [http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/info/english/index.htm Kochi official website] in English
* [http://www.pref.kochi.jp/~kochijo/ Kochi Castle official site] in Japanese


{{Weather box
{{Kochi}}
|width=auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Kochi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1886–present)
|Jan record high C = 23.5
|Feb record high C = 25.2
|Mar record high C = 26.3
|Apr record high C = 30.0
|May record high C = 32.3
|Jun record high C = 34.7
|Jul record high C = 38.3
|Aug record high C = 38.4
|Sep record high C = 37.3
|Oct record high C = 32.2
|Nov record high C = 28.0
|Dec record high C = 23.5
|Jan record low C = -7.6
|Feb record low C = -7.9
|Mar record low C = -6.5
|Apr record low C = -0.9
|May record low C = 3.8
|Jun record low C = 9.1
|Jul record low C = 14.6
|Aug record low C = 15.9
|Sep record low C = 10.0
|Oct record low C = 2.5
|Nov record low C = -1.9
|Dec record low C = -6.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 59.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 107.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 174.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 225.3
|May precipitation mm = 280.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 359.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 357.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 284.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 398.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 207.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 129.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 83.1
|year precipitation mm = 2666.4
|Jan mean C = 6.7
|Feb mean C = 7.8
|Mar mean C = 11.2
|Apr mean C = 15.8
|May mean C = 20.0
|Jun mean C = 23.1
|Jul mean C = 27.0
|Aug mean C = 27.9
|Sep mean C = 25.0
|Oct mean C = 19.9
|Nov mean C = 14.2
|Dec mean C = 8.8
|year mean C = 17.3
|Jan high C = 12.2
|Feb high C = 13.2
|Mar high C = 16.3
|Apr high C = 20.9
|May high C = 24.8
|Jun high C = 27.1
|Jul high C = 30.8
|Aug high C = 32.1
|Sep high C = 29.5
|Oct high C = 25.0
|Nov high C = 19.6
|Dec high C = 14.4
|year high C = 22.2
|Jan low C = 2.1
|Feb low C = 3.1
|Mar low C = 6.4
|Apr low C = 10.9
|May low C = 15.5
|Jun low C = 19.7
|Jul low C = 23.9
|Aug low C = 24.5
|Sep low C = 21.4
|Oct low C = 15.6
|Nov low C = 9.7
|Dec low C = 4.2
|year low C = 13.1
|Jan humidity = 61
|Feb humidity = 60
|Mar humidity = 62
|Apr humidity = 65
|May humidity = 70
|Jun humidity = 78
|Jul humidity = 79
|Aug humidity = 76
|Sep humidity = 74
|Oct humidity = 68
|Nov humidity = 68
|Dec humidity = 64
|year humidity = 69
|Jan sun = 190.7
|Feb sun = 177.2
|Mar sun = 192.2
|Apr sun = 197.3
|May sun = 195.7
|Jun sun = 133.8
|Jul sun = 173.7
|Aug sun = 204.0
|Sep sun = 162.0
|Oct sun = 179.6
|Nov sun = 168.8
|Dec sun = 184.6
|year sun = 2159.7
|Jan snow cm = 0
|Feb snow cm = 0
|Mar snow cm = 0
|Apr snow cm = 0
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 0
|Dec snow cm = 0
|year snow cm = 1
|unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 6.0
|Feb precipitation days = 7.5
|Mar precipitation days = 10.5
|Apr precipitation days = 10.4
|May precipitation days = 11.1
|Jun precipitation days = 15.1
|Jul precipitation days = 13.7
|Aug precipitation days = 12.9
|Sep precipitation days = 13.2
|Oct precipitation days = 9.0
|Nov precipitation days = 7.3
|Dec precipitation days = 6.4
|year precipitation days = 123.2
|source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/index.php?prec_no=74&block_no=47893&year=&month=&day=&view=
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]
| access-date = May 19, 2021}}</ref>
}}


==Demographics==
{{coor title dms|33|33|19|N|133|32|31|E|region:JP_type:city}}
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-kochi.php Kōchi population statistics]</ref> the population of Kōchi increased rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s before peaking around the year 2000 and going into decline.


{{Historical populations
{{Kochi-geo-stub}}
| 1920 | 133,277
| 1930 | 159,010
| 1940 | 163,182
| 1950 | 190,452
| 1960 | 221,737
| 1970 | 265,571
| 1980 | 318,266
| 1990 | 335,287
| 2000 | 348,979
| 2010 | 343,393
| 2020 | 326,545
|align = none
| footnote =
}}


==History==
[[Category:Cities in Kōchi Prefecture]]
===Feudal period===
[[Category:Port cities in Japan]]
As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Nahari was part of ancient [[Tosa Province]]. The river plain now containing the city centre was originally settled as a [[jōkamachi|castle town]] around [[Kōchi Castle]], the seat of the ''[[daimyō]]'' of [[Tosa Domain]]. The castle site was chosen by [[Yamauchi Kazutoyo]] in 1601 to replace the earlier seats of the [[Chōsokabe clan]] who had previously ruled in province. The city takes its name from that of the castle. As the centre of administration for the province, and the prefecture which succeeded it, the town rapidly grew to become the largest settlement of the region.


<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="" heights="130px" perrow="3">
[[bg:Кочи]]
File:Chosokabe.jpg|[[Chōsokabe Motochika]]
[[cs:Kóči]]
File:Yamauchi Katsutoyo01s3872.jpg|[[Yamauchi Kazutoyo]]
[[de:Kōchi]]
[[es:Kōchi (Kōchi)]]
File:Kochi Castle08s3872.jpg|[[Kōchi Castle]]
</gallery>
[[fr:Kōchi (Japon)]]

[[gl:Kochi - 高知市]]
===Meiji period===
[[ko:고치 시]]
During the time of the [[Meiji Restoration]], Kōchi became famous as a centre of pro-imperial ideology, and later for incubating democratic and [[Human rights in Japan|human rights]] movements. The city was incorporated on April 1, 1889, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system..
[[id:Kōchi, Kōchi]]

[[ja:高知市]]
Tram service began in the city on May 2, 1904, and the city was connected to the national [[Rail transport in Japan|rail network]] on November 12, 1951.
[[pt:Kochi (cidade)]]

[[sv:Kochi (stad)]]
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Statue Sakamoto Ryouma.JPG|[[Sakamoto Ryouma]]
File:Itagaki Taisuke01.JPG|[[Itagaki Taisuke]]
</gallery>

===WWII air raid===
Kōchi was selected as a target by the United States' [[XXI Bomber Command]] because of the city's status as a prefectural capital, and the fact that it was a centre for industry and commercial trade. On July 3, 1945, at 6:22&nbsp;pm (JST) 129 aircraft took off to bomb Kōchi. 1060 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Kōchi, destroying 48% of the built up areas of the city, killing 401 civilians and rendering over 40,000 homeless.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/61702152/21st-Bomber-Command-Tactical-Mission-Report-247-250-Ocr |title=21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 247, 250, Ocr |publisher=Scribd.com |access-date=2013-12-09}}</ref>

===Modern period===
On April 1, 1998, the city was designated as the first [[Core cities of Japan|core city]] on Shikoku.

On January 1, 2005, the villages of [[Kagami, Kōchi (Tosa)|Kagami]] and [[Tosayama, Kōchi|Tosayama]], both from [[Tosa District, Kōchi|Tosa District]] were merged into Kōchi.

On January 1, 2008, the town of [[Haruno, Kōchi|Haruno]] (from [[Agawa District, Kōchi|Agawa District]]) was also merged into Kōchi.

==Government==
[[File:Kochi city hall01 20200918 JST1749.jpg|thumb|200px|Kōchi city hall]]
Kōchi has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city council of 42 members.
The current mayor (since 2023) is Ryugo Kuwana.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ようこそ！市長室へ|language=ja|trans-title=welcome! To the Mayor's Office|website=Kōchi City |url=https://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/soshiki/174/info-gaiyou-msg.html|access-date=June 29, 2022}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

Kōchi contributes 15 members to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Kōchi 1st district and Kōchi 2nd districts of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==External relations==
===Twin towns/sister cities===
====International====
;Sister Cities
{|class="wikitable"
!City!!Country!![[State (polity)|State]]!!since
|-
|[[Fresno, California|Fresno]]
|{{Flagicon|USA}}United States
|California
|February 11, 1965
|-
|[[Surabaya]]
|{{flagdeco|INA}}[[Indonesia]]
|[[East Java]]
|April 17, 1997<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surabaya.go.id/eng/comunity.php?page=twin_city |title=The Twin City|publisher=Surabaya.go.id|access-date=2013-12-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214214312/http://www.surabaya.go.id/eng/comunity.php?page=twin_city |archive-date=2013-12-14}}</ref>
|}
;Friendship city
{|class="wikitable"
!City!!Country!![[State (polity)|State]]!!since
|-
|[[Wuhu City|Wuhu]]
|{{Flagicon|CHN}}China
|[[Anhui]]
|April 19, 1985
|-
|[[Mokpo]]
|{{flagdeco|KOR}}[[South Korea]]
|[[South Jeolla Province]]
|November 9, 2012
|}
;Sister ports
{|class="wikitable"
!City!!Country!![[State (polity)|State]]!!since
|-
|[[Subic Bay]]
|{{Flagicon|PHI}}[[Philippines]]
|[[Zambales]]
|February 17, 1998
|-
|[[Qingdao Port|Port of Qingdao]]
|{{Flagicon|CHN}}China
|[[Shandong]]
|April 4, 1998
|-
|[[Port of Colombo]]
|{{Flagicon|SRI}}[[Sri Lanka]]
|[[Colombo District]]
|April 4, 1998
|-
|[[Port of Tanjung Perak]]
|{{Flagicon|IDN}}Indonesia
|[[Surabaya]]
|May 12, 1998
|}

====National====
;Sister city
{|class="wikitable"
!City!![[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]!![[List of regions of Japan|region]]!!since
|-
|[[Kitami, Hokkaido|Kitami]]
|{{Flagicon|Hokkaido}}[[Okhotsk Subprefecture|Okhotsk]]
|[[Hokkaido|Hokkaidō region]]
|April 28, 1986
|}

==Education==
[[File:Kochi University 20120520.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Kōchi University]]]]
[[File:University of Kochi, Eikokuji Campus.jpg|thumb|200px|[[University of Kochi|Kōchi Prefectural University]]]]

===Universities===
Kōchi is home to two universities, [[Kōchi University]] (national) and [[University of Kochi]] (prefectural), and four [[junior college]]s including [[Kochi Junior College]].
;National university
*[[Kōchi University]]
;Public university
*[[University of Kochi]]（[[University of Kochi|Kōchi Prefectural University]]）
;Private university
*Kochi gakuen university
*[[The Open University of Japan]]
*University of Kochi Health Sciences

===Schools===
;Elementary and secondary education
Kōchi has 39 public elementary schools, 17 public middle schools and one public high school operated by the city government, one private and one national elementary school, and five private combined middle/high schools. The city has eight public high schools administered by the Kōchi Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates one middle school and one combined middle/high school.

==Transport==
[[File:Kochiryomaairport.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Kōchi Ryōma Airport]]]]
[[File:Kochi-STA.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Kōchi Station (Kōchi)|Kōchi Station]]]]
[[File:Tosaden 100.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Tosaden Kōtsū]]]]
[[File:KochiEXPWY Kagami river bridge.jpg|thumb|200px|Kochi Expwy]]
[[File:Uradooohasi.jpg|thumb|200px|Port of Kochi]]

=== Airport ===
*[[Kōchi Ryōma Airport]], located in nearby [[Nankoku, Kōchi|Nankoku]]

===Railways===
Kōchi is located on the [[JR Shikoku]]'s [[Dosan Line]] connecting it to northern Shikoku, and via interchanges with the [[Tosa Kuroshio Railway]] to the eastern and western parts of Kōchi Prefecture. JR's central station in Kōchi is [[Kōchi Station (Kōchi)|Kōchi Station]].

====Conventional lines====
[[File:JR logo (shikoku).svg|20px]] [[Shikoku Railway Company]] [[JR Shikoku]] {{Color|#e25885|■}}[[Dosan Line]]
* {{STN|Tosa-Ōtsu}}{{•}}{{STN|Nunoshida}}{{•}}{{STN|Tosa-Ikku}}{{•}}{{STN|Azōno}}{{•}}'''{{STN|Kōchi|Kōchi}}'''{{•}}{{STN|Iriake}}{{•}}{{STN|Engyōjiguchi}}{{•}}{{STN|Asahi|Kōchi}}{{•}}{{STN|Kōchi-Shōgyō-Mae}}{{•}}{{STN|Asakura|JR Shikoku}}

===Tramways===
The most visible form of transport within Kōchi is the tram service run by [[Tosaden Kōtsū]]. Its three lines with historic cars service the major north–south and east–west axes of the city.
;[[Tosaden Kōtsū]]
*{{Color|green|■}}[[Tosaden Kōtsū Sanbashi Line|Sanbashi Line]]
*{{Color|green|■}}[[Tosaden Kōtsū Gomen Line|Gomen Line]]
*{{Color|green|■}}[[Tosaden Kōtsū Ino Line|Ino Line]]

===Busways===
The city also has an extensive bus network.

===Highways===
Kōchi is also serviced by the Kōchi [[Interchange (road)|interchange]] of the [[Kōchi Expressway]] which connects to the [[Expressways of Japan|national expressway system]].

====Expressway====
*[[File:JP Expressway E32.svg|30px|link=|alt=]] [[Kōchi Expressway]]
*[[File:JP Expressway E55.svg|30px|link=|alt=]] [[Kōchi-Tōbu Expressway]]

====Japan National Route====
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|32}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|33}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|55}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|56}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|194}}
*{{jct|country=JPN|Route|195}}

===Seaways===
*Port of Kōchi
{{Clear}}

==Tourism==
[[File:Kochi Katsurahama Daytime 1.JPG|thumb|200px|Katsurahama Beach]]
[[File:Harimaya-bashi (6453595247).jpg|thumb|200px|Harimaya-bashi]]
[[Kōchi Castle]] still exists in its pre-[[Meiji Restoration|restoration]] form, and is one of the main tourist attractions. Other places of interest in the city centre are the {{nihongo|Obiyamachi|帯屋町}} shopping arcade, the regular Sunday street markets which are close to a kilometre in length, and {{nihongo|[[Harimaya]]-bashi|はりまや橋}}, a bridge that featured in a famous Kōchi song about the forbidden love of a Buddhist priest.

===Local attractions===
The mountain {{nihongo|Godaisan|五台山}} holds a public park with views of the city, and is home to stop 31 on the [[Shikoku Pilgrimage]], [[Chikurin-ji (Kōchi)|Chikurin-ji]], as well as the [[Makino Botanical Garden]].

Off Museum Road (Kenritsu Bijutsukandori) is [[The Museum of Art, Kōchi]], where the main collection is composed of expressionistic works related to Kōchi.<ref>[http://kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp/~museum/english_page/welcome.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125210204/http://kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp/~museum/english_page/welcome.htm|date=January 25, 2008}}</ref>

The [[Former Yamauchi Residence]] and [[Tosa Yamauchi Family Treasury and Archives]] are also to be found in the city.
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Katsurahama Aquarium 01.jpg|Katsurahama Aquarium
File:200104 Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden01s5.jpg|[[Makino Botanical Garden]]
File:Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum.jpg|[[Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum]]
File:Kochi City Sawada Mansion Aug. 12, 2016.jpg|Sawada Mansion
</gallery>

===Historic spots===
;Castle
*[[Kōchi Castle]]
*Urado Castle ruins
;Shrine
The [[Shinto Shrine]] ''[[Tosa jinja]]'' is located to the west.<ref>Kōchi Prefectural Museum of History, [http://www.kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp/~rekimin/pdf/english.pdf map]; retrieved August 9, 2011</ref>
;Temples
Temples No.30 ([[Zenrakuji]], No.31([[Chikurin-ji (Kōchi)|Chikurin-ji]]) and No.33 ([[Sekkei-ji]]) on the [[Shikoku Pilgrimage]] are located in the city.

At the mouth of Urado Bay, the remnants of Urado Castle (an earlier provincial seat) stand above {{nihongo|Katsurahama|桂浜}}, a famous beach with an aquarium and statue of the Kōchi hero [[#Notable natives and residents|Sakamoto Ryōma]].

Nearby on the grounds is the [[Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp/~ryoma/english1.htm |title=The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum |publisher=Kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp |access-date=2013-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523005834/http://www.kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp/~ryoma/english1.htm |archive-date=2014-05-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Tosa-jinja haiden-1.JPG|[[Tosa jinja]]
File:Chikurin-ji Temple - panoramio (1).jpg|[[Chikurin-ji (Kōchi)|Chikurin-ji]]
</gallery>
{{Clear}}

==Culture==
[[File:Yosakoi Performers at Kochi Yosakoi Matsuri 2008 40.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Yosakoi]]]]
[[File:The Museum of Art Kochi01s3872.jpg|thumb|200px|[[The Museum of Art, Kōchi]]]]
[[File:Katsuo.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Skipjack tuna|Katsuo-no-tataki]]]]

===Festival・Events===
;Festival
Kōchi's most famous festival is the [[Yosakoi]] which is held in August. Teams of dancers dance to traditional and modern songs at various places around Kōchi. The total number of dancers is in the thousands.
*[[Yosakoi]]
;Events
*Sunday street markets

===Gourmet===
*[[Skipjack tuna|Katsuo-no-tataki]]
*[[Katsuobushi]]
*SawachiDish Sushi
*Tosa-maki

===Museums===
* [[Kōchi Castle Museum of History]]
* [[Kōchi Literary Museum]]
* [[Ryōma's Birthplace Memorial Museum]]
* [[Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum]]
* [[The Museum of Art, Kōchi]]

===Sports===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!scope="col"| Club
!scope="col"| Sport
!scope="col"| League
!scope="col"| Venue
!scope="col"| Established
|-
| style="background:black"|[[Kōchi Fighting Dogs|<span style="color:red">Kōchi Fighting Dogs</span>]]
| Baseball
| [[Shikoku Island League Plus]]
| Kochi Municipal Baseball Park, Kochi Prefectural Haruno Baseball Stadium
| 2005
|-
| style="background:red;"| [[Kochi United SC|<span style="color:lightgreen">Kochi United SC</span>]]
| Soccer
| [[Japan Football League]]
| [[Kochi Haruno Athletic Stadium]]
| 2016
|}
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" caption="" heights="130px" perrow="3">
File:Haruno baseball park.JPG|[[Kōchi Fighting Dogs]]<br>（Kochi Prefectural Haruno Baseball Stadium）
File:Harunokyu20090213a.jpg|[[Kochi United SC]]<br>（[[Kochi Haruno Athletic Stadium]]）
File:Kochi Racecouse 20080720.jpg|[[Kochi Racecourse]]<br>[[Horse racing]]
File:Ryouma st1.JPG|Kōchi [[Velodrome]]（Ryoma Stadium）<br>[[Keirin]]
File:Kochi Prefectural Gymnasium01ss3200.jpg|Kochi Prefectural Gymnasium
</gallery>
{{Clear}}

==Notable people from Kōchi==
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2012}}
[[File:Sakamoto Ryoma.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Sakamoto Ryōma]]]]
*[[Nakahama Manjirō]] (1827–1898) was one of the first Japanese people to visit the United States and an important translator during the [[opening of Japan]].
*[[Okada Izō]] (1832–1865) was a samurai of the late [[Edo period]], feared as one of the four most notable assassins of the [[Bakumatsu]] period.
*[[Sakamoto Ryōma]] (1836–1867) was a leader of the movement to overthrow the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] during the Bakumatsu period.
*[[Itagaki Taisuke]] (1837–1919) was a politician and leader of the [[Freedom and People's Rights Movement]], which evolved into Japan's first political party.
*[[Tsutomu Seki]] (born 1930) is an astronomer who has discovered a number of comets and asteroids.
*[[Nobuo Uematsu]] (born 1959) is a video game composer, best known for scoring the majority of titles in the ''Final Fantasy'' series.
*[[Ryōko Hirosue]] (born 1980) is an actress and pop star, best known in the West for her roles in the Luc Besson-produced ''[[Wasabi (film)|Wasabi]]'' and the Academy Award-winning Japanese film ''[[Departures (2008 film)|Departures]]''.
*Aaron Zagory (born 1985) is a Kōchi-born former US college football player, and the starting kicker for Stanford University in 2006 and 2008.
*[[Sumi Shimamoto]] (born 1954) is an [[anime]] voice actress, best known for playing Kyoko Otonashi in ''[[Maison Ikkoku]]'' and Nausicaa in ''[[Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (film)|Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind]]''.
*[[Noa Tsurushima]] (born 2001) is a model and actress, best known for portraying Is and As in ''[[Kamen Rider Zero-One]]''.
*[[Tomitaro Makino]] (1862–1957) was a pioneering botanist, sometimes referred to as the Father of Japanese Botany.
*[[Kusunose Kita]] (1836–1920) was an advocate for Women's rights in Japan, particularly in Kochi.
*[[Tetsuya Nomura]] (born 1970) is a video game artist, designer and director who currently works for Square Enix. Famous for being a character designer for the Final Fantasy Series.
*[[Nakamura Kazuha]] (born 2003) is a member of Korean girl group [[Le Sserafim]].
*Nonaka Shana (born 2003) is a member of Korean girl group [[Lapillus (group)|Lapillus]].
*[[Hideshi Matsuda]] (born 1954) is a racing driver and TV reporter
*[[Fumio Nutahara]] (born 1963) is a rally driver

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kochi, Kochi}}
{{Wikivoyage|Kochi_(Shikoku)|Kōchi}}
*[http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp Kōchi City official website] {{in lang|ja}}
*[http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/life/5/ Kōchi City official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427210526/http://attaka.or.jp/foreign/english/index.html Kōchi Visitors and Convention Association official website]
* [http://cgi2.nhk.or.jp/michi/cgi/detail.cgi?dasID=D0004200005_00000 Yosakoi Festival in Kōchi City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526085810/http://cgi2.nhk.or.jp/michi/cgi/detail.cgi?dasID=D0004200005_00000 |date=May 26, 2015 }}[[NHK]]
* {{OSM relation|4028510|Kōchi}}
{{Kōchi Prefecture}}

{{Metropolitan cities of Japan}}
{{Most populous cities in Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kochi, Kochi}}
[[Category:Cities in Kōchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Port settlements in Japan]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Kōchi, Kōchi| ]]

Latest revision as of 21:03, 12 April 2024

For the city in India, see Kochi.

Kōchi
高知市
Core city
Kōchi City
From top left: Katsurahama, Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, View of Kōchi from Mt. Godai, Yosakoi Festival, Harimayabashi, Tosa Electric Railway, Kōchi Castle
From top left: Katsurahama, Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, View of Kōchi from Mt. Godai, Yosakoi Festival, Harimayabashi, Tosa Electric Railway, Kōchi Castle
Flag of Kōchi
Flag
Official seal of Kōchi
Chapter
Map
Location of Kōchi in Kōchi Prefecture
Kōchi is located in Japan
Kōchi
Kōchi
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°33′32″N 133°31′53″E / 33.55889°N 133.53139°E / 33.55889; 133.53139
CountryJapan
RegionShikoku
PrefectureKōchi
Government
 • MayorRyugo Kuwana
Area
 • Total309.00 km2 (119.31 sq mi)
Population
 (April 1, 2023)
 • Total318,520
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address5-1-45 Honmachi, Kōchi-shi 780-0571
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdJapanese wagtail[1]
FlowerWinter-hazel[1]
TreeChinaberry[1]
Kōchi
Japanese name
Kanji高知市
Hiraganaこうちし

Kōchi (高知市, Kōchi-shi, pronounced [koːtɕi ꜜɕi]) is the capital city of Kōchi Prefecture located on the island of Shikoku in Japan. With over 40% of the prefectural population, Kōchi is the main commercial and industrial centre and the "primate city" of the prefecture. As of 1 April 2023, the city had an estimated population of 318,520 in 154,048 households, and a population density of 1,000 persons per km2.[2] The total area of the city is 309.00 square kilometres (119.31 sq mi).

Overview[edit]

A symbol of the city is its most famous dish, katsuo tataki, made by lightly searing and seasoning bonito.[3]

Cityscape[edit]

  • Skyline of Kōchi City（2006）
    Skyline of Kōchi City（2006）
  • Obiyamachi in Downtown Kōchi City（2008）
    Obiyamachi in Downtown Kōchi City（2008）
  • Sunday street markets（2009）
    Sunday street markets（2009）
  • CBD of Kōchi City（2010）
    CBD of Kōchi City（2010）
  • Views from Kōchi Castle Keep Tower（2013）
    Views from Kōchi Castle Keep Tower（2013）
  • Kōchi Castle（2020）
    Kōchi Castle（2020）

Geography[edit]

Katsura Hama

Kōchi is located on the southern coast of Kōchi Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean to the south. The city area can be divided into three distinct geographic sections. The urban centre lies at the head of Urado Bay, in a narrow alluvial plain crossed by several rivers, notably the Kagami River and Kokubu River. The plain is bounded by mountains to the north and a range of hills to the south and west.

The northern mountains form the least densely populated part of the city, with the only settlement being along narrow river valleys. The highest point in Kōchi is Kuishi-yama at 1,176 metres (3,858 ft).

To the south of the city centre, Urado Bay cuts through the hills to its outlet into the Pacific Ocean. The land surrounding the bay and a small strip of the coastline form the third part of the city. This area, although hillier and less dense than the plain, is nevertheless a major location of housing and port-related industry.

Neighbouring municipalities[edit]

Kōchi Prefecture

Climate[edit]

Kōchi has a very wet humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), receiving twice as much rainfall as Shikoku's other chief cities Matsuyama and Takamatsu. It is also the most typhoon-prone of Japan's major cities owing to its location directly exposed to the open Pacific Ocean from which the storms enter the country, and has twice received over 50 cm (20 in) of rainfall in a day from a typhoon.

Climate data for Kochi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1886–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 23.5
(74.3) 		25.2
(77.4) 		26.3
(79.3) 		30.0
(86.0) 		32.3
(90.1) 		34.7
(94.5) 		38.3
(100.9) 		38.4
(101.1) 		37.3
(99.1) 		32.2
(90.0) 		28.0
(82.4) 		23.5
(74.3) 		38.4
(101.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 12.2
(54.0) 		13.2
(55.8) 		16.3
(61.3) 		20.9
(69.6) 		24.8
(76.6) 		27.1
(80.8) 		30.8
(87.4) 		32.1
(89.8) 		29.5
(85.1) 		25.0
(77.0) 		19.6
(67.3) 		14.4
(57.9) 		22.2
(72.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1) 		7.8
(46.0) 		11.2
(52.2) 		15.8
(60.4) 		20.0
(68.0) 		23.1
(73.6) 		27.0
(80.6) 		27.9
(82.2) 		25.0
(77.0) 		19.9
(67.8) 		14.2
(57.6) 		8.8
(47.8) 		17.3
(63.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.1
(35.8) 		3.1
(37.6) 		6.4
(43.5) 		10.9
(51.6) 		15.5
(59.9) 		19.7
(67.5) 		23.9
(75.0) 		24.5
(76.1) 		21.4
(70.5) 		15.6
(60.1) 		9.7
(49.5) 		4.2
(39.6) 		13.1
(55.6)
Record low °C (°F) −7.6
(18.3) 		−7.9
(17.8) 		−6.5
(20.3) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		3.8
(38.8) 		9.1
(48.4) 		14.6
(58.3) 		15.9
(60.6) 		10.0
(50.0) 		2.5
(36.5) 		−1.9
(28.6) 		−6.6
(20.1) 		−7.9
(17.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 59.1
(2.33) 		107.8
(4.24) 		174.8
(6.88) 		225.3
(8.87) 		280.4
(11.04) 		359.5
(14.15) 		357.3
(14.07) 		284.1
(11.19) 		398.1
(15.67) 		207.5
(8.17) 		129.6
(5.10) 		83.1
(3.27) 		2,666.4
(104.98)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1
(0.4)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm) 6.0 7.5 10.5 10.4 11.1 15.1 13.7 12.9 13.2 9.0 7.3 6.4 123.2
Average relative humidity (%) 61 60 62 65 70 78 79 76 74 68 68 64 69
Mean monthly sunshine hours 190.7 177.2 192.2 197.3 195.7 133.8 173.7 204.0 162.0 179.6 168.8 184.6 2,159.7
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[4]

Demographics[edit]

Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Kōchi increased rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s before peaking around the year 2000 and going into decline.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 133,277—    
1930 159,010+19.3%
1940 163,182+2.6%
1950 190,452+16.7%
1960 221,737+16.4%
1970 265,571+19.8%
1980 318,266+19.8%
1990 335,287+5.3%
2000 348,979+4.1%
2010 343,393−1.6%
2020 326,545−4.9%

History[edit]

Feudal period[edit]

As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Nahari was part of ancient Tosa Province. The river plain now containing the city centre was originally settled as a castle town around Kōchi Castle, the seat of the daimyō of Tosa Domain. The castle site was chosen by Yamauchi Kazutoyo in 1601 to replace the earlier seats of the Chōsokabe clan who had previously ruled in province. The city takes its name from that of the castle. As the centre of administration for the province, and the prefecture which succeeded it, the town rapidly grew to become the largest settlement of the region.

Meiji period[edit]

During the time of the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi became famous as a centre of pro-imperial ideology, and later for incubating democratic and human rights movements. The city was incorporated on April 1, 1889, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system..

Tram service began in the city on May 2, 1904, and the city was connected to the national rail network on November 12, 1951.

WWII air raid[edit]

Kōchi was selected as a target by the United States' XXI Bomber Command because of the city's status as a prefectural capital, and the fact that it was a centre for industry and commercial trade. On July 3, 1945, at 6:22 pm (JST) 129 aircraft took off to bomb Kōchi. 1060 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Kōchi, destroying 48% of the built up areas of the city, killing 401 civilians and rendering over 40,000 homeless.[6]

Modern period[edit]

On April 1, 1998, the city was designated as the first core city on Shikoku.

On January 1, 2005, the villages of Kagami and Tosayama, both from Tosa District were merged into Kōchi.

On January 1, 2008, the town of Haruno (from Agawa District) was also merged into Kōchi.

Government[edit]

Kōchi city hall

Kōchi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 42 members. The current mayor (since 2023) is Ryugo Kuwana.[7]

Kōchi contributes 15 members to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Kōchi 1st district and Kōchi 2nd districts of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

External relations[edit]

Twin towns/sister cities[edit]

International[edit]

Sister Cities
City Country State since
Fresno United StatesUnited States California February 11, 1965
Surabaya Indonesia East Java April 17, 1997[8]
Friendship city
City Country State since
Wuhu ChinaChina Anhui April 19, 1985
Mokpo South Korea South Jeolla Province November 9, 2012
Sister ports
City Country State since
Subic Bay PhilippinesPhilippines Zambales February 17, 1998
Port of Qingdao ChinaChina Shandong April 4, 1998
Port of Colombo Sri LankaSri Lanka Colombo District April 4, 1998
Port of Tanjung Perak IndonesiaIndonesia Surabaya May 12, 1998

National[edit]

Sister city
City Prefecture region since
Kitami HokkaidoOkhotsk Hokkaidō region April 28, 1986

Education[edit]

Kōchi University
Kōchi Prefectural University

Universities[edit]

Kōchi is home to two universities, Kōchi University (national) and University of Kochi (prefectural), and four junior colleges including Kochi Junior College.

National university
Public university
Private university

Schools[edit]

Elementary and secondary education

Kōchi has 39 public elementary schools, 17 public middle schools and one public high school operated by the city government, one private and one national elementary school, and five private combined middle/high schools. The city has eight public high schools administered by the Kōchi Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates one middle school and one combined middle/high school.

Transport[edit]

Kōchi Ryōma Airport
Kōchi Station
Tosaden Kōtsū
Kochi Expwy
Port of Kochi

Airport[edit]

Railways[edit]

Kōchi is located on the JR Shikoku's Dosan Line connecting it to northern Shikoku, and via interchanges with the Tosa Kuroshio Railway to the eastern and western parts of Kōchi Prefecture. JR's central station in Kōchi is Kōchi Station.

Conventional lines[edit]

Shikoku Railway Company JR Shikoku ■Dosan Line

Tramways[edit]

The most visible form of transport within Kōchi is the tram service run by Tosaden Kōtsū. Its three lines with historic cars service the major north–south and east–west axes of the city.

Tosaden Kōtsū

Busways[edit]

The city also has an extensive bus network.

Highways[edit]

Kōchi is also serviced by the Kōchi interchange of the Kōchi Expressway which connects to the national expressway system.

Expressway[edit]

Japan National Route[edit]

Seaways[edit]

  • Port of Kōchi

Tourism[edit]

Katsurahama Beach
Harimaya-bashi

Kōchi Castle still exists in its pre-restoration form, and is one of the main tourist attractions. Other places of interest in the city centre are the Obiyamachi (帯屋町) shopping arcade, the regular Sunday street markets which are close to a kilometre in length, and Harimaya-bashi (はりまや橋), a bridge that featured in a famous Kōchi song about the forbidden love of a Buddhist priest.

Local attractions[edit]

The mountain Godaisan (五台山) holds a public park with views of the city, and is home to stop 31 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Chikurin-ji, as well as the Makino Botanical Garden.

Off Museum Road (Kenritsu Bijutsukandori) is The Museum of Art, Kōchi, where the main collection is composed of expressionistic works related to Kōchi.[9]

The Former Yamauchi Residence and Tosa Yamauchi Family Treasury and Archives are also to be found in the city.

Historic spots[edit]

Castle
Shrine

The Shinto Shrine Tosa jinja is located to the west.[10]

Temples

Temples No.30 (Zenrakuji, No.31(Chikurin-ji) and No.33 (Sekkei-ji) on the Shikoku Pilgrimage are located in the city.

At the mouth of Urado Bay, the remnants of Urado Castle (an earlier provincial seat) stand above Katsurahama (桂浜), a famous beach with an aquarium and statue of the Kōchi hero Sakamoto Ryōma.

Nearby on the grounds is the Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum.[11]

Culture[edit]

Yosakoi
The Museum of Art, Kōchi
Katsuo-no-tataki

Festival・Events[edit]

Festival

Kōchi's most famous festival is the Yosakoi which is held in August. Teams of dancers dance to traditional and modern songs at various places around Kōchi. The total number of dancers is in the thousands.

Events
  • Sunday street markets

Gourmet[edit]

Museums[edit]

Sports[edit]

Club Sport League Venue Established
Kōchi Fighting Dogs Baseball Shikoku Island League Plus Kochi Municipal Baseball Park, Kochi Prefectural Haruno Baseball Stadium 2005
Kochi United SC Soccer Japan Football League Kochi Haruno Athletic Stadium 2016

Notable people from Kōchi[edit]

Sakamoto Ryōma

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c [1] Archived October 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Kōchi city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  3. ^ [2] Archived November 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Kōchi population statistics
  6. ^ "21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 247, 250, Ocr". Scribd.com. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  7. ^ "ようこそ！市長室へ" [welcome! To the Mayor's Office]. Kōchi City (in Japanese). Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "The Twin City". Surabaya.go.id. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  9. ^ [3] Archived January 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Kōchi Prefectural Museum of History, map; retrieved August 9, 2011
  11. ^ "The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum". Kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2013.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kochi, Kochi.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Kōchi.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kōchi,_Kōchi&oldid=1218629882"