wendy's Reviews Page 19/19

Hirome Market

46 restaurants and 7 local product stores are packed on this lively food-stand street. This street is at the foot of Kochi Castle. It is convenient to stop by before or after touring the area.

Kochi
Shopping Streets

20 Aug 2026 See More

When you come to Kochi, you absolutely can't miss Hirome Market, with its strong izakaya spirit! More than 60 food stalls are gathered here, and as soon as you walk in, you're surrounded by chatter, delicious aromas, and a lively atmosphere. You won't want to stop! I especially recommend the freshly seared straw-smoked bonito. It's wonderfully fragrant after being seared, and pairs perfectly with a glass of Tosa sake!

There is communal seating, so just find an open spot and sit down. It's easy to strike up a conversation with the people next to you and instantly become part of the warm, outgoing everyday life of Kochi locals. It turns out that “Hirome” also comes from local history dating back to the Edo period. You can explore the market, enjoy the food, and experience a bit of old Kochi's story along the way. This visit truly had food, drinks, and fun!

Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle was built by Yamauchi Kazutoyo, the first feudal lord of the Tosa domain. It was first built in 1601 after ten years of construction, and unfortunately lost to a fire in 1727. The castle you see today was reconstructed in 1753. Kochi Castle is one of 12 since the Edo Period that still has its original castle tower, and is the only one that keeps both its original castle tower and main Honmaru Palace hall. The entire 15 buildings across its grounds are registered as a National Important Cultural Asset.

Kochi
Tourist Attractions

20 Aug 2026 See More

When visiting Kochi City, don't miss historic Kochi Castle! It's one of Japan's “12 original castle towers,” and even more impressively, it's currently the only castle in Japan that has preserved both its original castle tower and Honmaru Palace intact. There are also 15 buildings within the castle grounds designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

Admission is JPY 500 for adults, and you have to remove your shoes during the tour. Stepping inside really feels like traveling back in time. I especially liked the Otemon Gate and the atmospheric view of it together with Kochi Castle's tower. Once you climb to the top, you can also enjoy a 360-degree view of downtown Kochi, which is very pleasant.

There are staff members throughout the castle who proactively share little stories about it, making the visit more than just taking a few photos and leaving. Best of all, there weren't many visitors that day, so exploring felt especially relaxing〜If you come to Kochi, this castle is really worth adding to your itinerary!

Shimanto River

Shimanto River is the longest river in the Shikoku region, flowing through the western part of Kochi Prefecture and boasting a total length of 196km. The river begins at Mt. Irazu in the town of Tsuno.

Kochi
Nature Spots

20 Aug 2026 See More

The Shimanto River, known as “Japan’s last pristine river,” truly lives up to its name!

Driving along the riverbank, you’ll see crystal-clear water and lush green mountains, and occasionally come across a “submersible bridge” with no guardrails. Walking across one gives you the thrilling feeling of, “Wait! Are we really allowed to walk on this?”

If you have enough time, I recommend taking a yakatabune boat ride to leisurely enjoy the river scenery, or renting a bike and cycling along the river. Finish it off with some sweetfish or Shimanto eel—perfect! It doesn’t have the bustle of a big city, but it has a relaxing, soothing atmosphere that makes it hard to leave.