王小鈞's Reviews Page 23/25

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

Hirome Market, not far from Kochi Castle, is one of the lively must-visit spots when traveling in Kochi. The market isn’t very large, and it gets packed during mealtimes. Seating feels a bit tight, and it can be pretty noisy.

That said, it has a great local atmosphere. You can try Kochi specialties and experience the warm, easygoing dining culture of the locals. Even though the setting is quite bustling, it’s still worth visiting once to get a feel for Kochi’s unique charm.

Myojinmaru Main Branch

Myojinmaru Main Branch is an izakaya operated by Myojin Suisan, a company with the highest bonito catch in Japan. It is within walking distance of JR Kochi Station and Tosaden Horitsume Station. The restaurant serves Kochi local cuisine and bonito dishes.

• Kochi
• Izakaya

When visiting Kochi, you have to try the local specialty: straw-seared bonito tataki with salt. After being seared over high heat with straw, it has a distinctive aroma. The outside is lightly cooked while the inside stays half-raw, giving it a really unique texture.

It tasted a bit different from what I had imagined, but with the salt, it had its own nice flavor. Overall, it was acceptable. When you’re in the area, the local specialties are definitely worth trying for yourself and make for a memorable food experience during the trip.

Katsurahama

Welcome to the sprawling coast of Kochi City’s Urado Penninsula between Cape Ryuzu and Cape Ryuo, lush with a beautiful pine forest, sandy beach and sea. This spot in Kochi Prefecture is especially popular for its bronze statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, a prominent historical figure during the end of Japan’s Edo period.

• Kochi
• Nature Spots

Katsurahama Park is located south of Kochi City and is a fantastic spot for enjoying beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Strolling along the shore while listening to the waves crash against the rocks is incredibly relaxing, with the wide-open ocean stretching out before you.

Not only is the scenery beautiful, but you can also feel Kochi’s unique natural charm. It’s one of the must-visit spots when traveling to Kochi. Watching the sunset by the sea is especially unforgettable.

Botchan Karakuri Clock

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the construction of Dogo Onsen Honkan (main building), this mechanical clock was built in 1994 at the Hojoen Garden, located in front of the Dogo Onsen tram station. From 8 am to 10 pm, every hour (and every 30 minutes on weekends, holidays, during the months of March, April, August, and November, during Golden Week, and over New Year's), the clock performs to its music, giving a vibrant welcome to those visiting Dogo Onsen.

• Ehime
• Tourist Attractions

The Botchan Karakuri Clock is one of the classic must-see spots when visiting Dogo Onsen. Its exterior has a charming retro Japanese feel, making it perfect for photos.

At the top of each hour, the clock plays music to mark the time, along with a delicate puppet performance that draws plenty of visitors to stop and watch. It has a different charm during the day and at night, and it’s a delightful little surprise you won’t want to miss while soaking in the atmosphere of the hot spring town.

Chaharu

Located in the heart of Dogo Onsen, close to Dogo Onsen Honkan, Chaharu is the first onsen ryokan in the area to feature an open-air bath.

• Ehime
• Inns

Chaharu is a highly recommended hot spring hotel. After checking in, I felt completely comfortable and relaxed.

The open-air bath area has a beautiful atmosphere, and soaking while enjoying the Japanese onsen vibe was incredibly soothing. The room was very spacious, clean, and comfortable.

Both breakfast and dinner were plentiful, with a wide variety of dishes and fresh, delicious ingredients. You could feel the care put into every dish.

If you’re visiting Dogo Onsen, staying at Chaharu lets you enjoy the hot springs, thoughtful service, and a wonderful lodging experience. Highly recommended for travelers who love onsen ryokan.

Dōgo Onsen Honkan

Boasting a history of roughly 3,000 years, Dōgo Onsen is considered by many to be Japan’s oldest hot spring. Its iconic symbol, the Dōgo Onsen Honkan, was rebuilt in 1894 as a public bathhouse and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. After six years of extensive preservation and restoration work, the wooden three-story bathhouse fully reopened in 2024, offering a renewed experience designed to soak in the historical beauty up close.

• Ehime
• Bathing & Spa Facilities

Dōgo Onsen Honkan has completely different charms during the day and at night. During the day, strolling around the area feels relaxed and full of Japanese atmosphere.

I went to soak my feet in the footbath near Isaniwa Shrine across the way. Sitting in the warm spring water while taking in the street views, you can also look out over the beautiful scenery of Dogo Onsen and feel the peaceful atmosphere of this historic hot spring town.

At night, after the lights come on, Dōgo Onsen Honkan feels even more dreamy and romantic. The classic building looks especially charming under the lights. It’s a must-see spot when traveling in Ehime.

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

Kochi Castle is one of the classic must-visit spots when traveling to Kochi. Unfortunately, the castle tower was under renovation during my visit, so I couldn’t go up and enjoy the view from inside the castle, which was a bit of a shame.

Still, walking among the stone steps and old castle walls, I could really feel the rich historical atmosphere. The route was full of greenery, and the garden scenery was beautiful. Combined with Kochi Castle’s distinctive architecture, even a relaxed stroll was a real pleasure.

I hope to visit again next time and go up to the castle tower to take in the beautiful views of Kochi.

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

The Shimanto River is known as one of Japan’s last clear-flowing rivers. Its clean, pure water has helped shape the area’s unique natural landscape.

I’ve heard that many nearby Japanese sake breweries even use water from the Shimanto River, which gives the sake an especially smooth, mellow taste.

This time, I took a sightseeing boat and enjoyed the scenery along the riverbanks. The gently flowing water and lush green mountains created such a peaceful, beautiful atmosphere. It was an unforgettable nature-filled trip.

Kotohiragu Shrine

The head shrine of Kotohira Shrine stands on Mt. Zozu. It is visited by about 4 million worshippers a year. The main deity, Oomononushinokami, has been known since before the Middle Ages as a guardian deity of maritime traffic and a deity that brings a bountiful harvest and prosperity of industry and culture.

• Kagawa
• Shrines & Temples

Kotohiragu Shrine is a must-visit when you come to Kagawa. The stone steps along the approach keep stretching upward, earning it the nickname “the shrine path that challenges your stamina and faith.”

This time, we climbed all the way to the 977th step and reached the quiet, solemn Shiramine Shrine. The scenery along the way was beautiful, and the fresh air in the forest made every step feel like a conversation with nature.

We didn’t make it all the way to the final inner shrine, but getting this far already felt like a real achievement. Leaving a little unfinished gives us a reason to come back next time. Next time, we’ll definitely take on the rest of the stairs! ⛩️🌿

JR Clement Inn Kochi

An ideal hotel for sightseeing, with excellent access just a 2-minute walk from JR Kochi Station. In front of the station, you’ll find highway bus, airport limousine bus, and sightseeing bus terminals, as well as a streetcar stop, making it easy to get to your destination.

• Kochi
• Hotels

This stay at JR Clement Inn Kochi was really convenient. The location is great, just a few minutes on foot from JR Kochi Station, so getting around and planning the day was easy.

Breakfast was served at the restaurant on the 1st floor, with a nice variety of tasty dishes. It was a great way to start the day feeling energized. The lobby also thoughtfully provides various amenities for guests to take as needed.

Both the room and public areas were very clean, and the overall space was spacious and comfortable. I was very satisfied with the stay. It’s a place I’d recommend for a trip to Kochi.