7/7/2007

Kōchi Prefecture (高知県, Kōchi-ken?) is located on the south coast of Shikoku, Japan. The capital is the city of Kōchi. Kōchi Prefecture comprises the southwestern part of the island of Shikoku, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest but least populous of Shikoku’s four prefectures. Most of the province is mountainous, and in only a few areas such as around Kōchi and Nakamura is there a coastal plain. Kōchi is famous for its many rivers.

Kōchi city has a very nice southern flair to it with visitors coming down to enjoy the sun as well as partake in the flea market that stretches on the streets of Kōchi. There is a beautiful beach too called Katsurahama that is famous for the statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, a local hero who played a role in realizing the Meiji Restoration and who was assassinated at a young age. You can drop by the museum built to commemorate him nearby.

There is also a very nice original castle in Kōchi. Like all Japanese castles, Kochijo is picturesque and beautiful.