Kochi: A hidden aquatic wonderland
One of Japan’s lesser-known prefectures is Shikoku’s (四国) Kochi Prefecture (高知県 Kōchi-ken), a hidden gem for aquatic activities with its numerous rivers and geographical position by the Pacific Ocean (太平洋 Taiheiyō). Experience a 3-day itinerary that will give you a taste of the aquatic wonders that this prefecture has to offer including sea turtles, kayaking, diving and, of course, seafood.
By rail, you can get to Kochi via the Limited Express on the Dosan Line (土讃線 Dosan-sen) from Okayama Station (岡山駅 Okayama-eki), a major Sanyo Shinkansen (山陽新幹線 Sanyō Shinkansen) stop, to Kochi Station (高知駅 Kōchi-eki). Alternatively, take a domestic flight to Kochi Ryoma Airport (高知龍馬空港 Kōchi Ryōma Kūkō). While public transport options (such as rail and bus) are available within Kochi, a rental car would be the most convenient way to get around.
Day 1: Discover dolphins & sea creatures around Cape Muroto
As a kid, you’ve probably at least once imagined that there were sharks in the swimming pool. Now they actually are! (Image credit: Higashi Kochi)
A visit to Muroto Schoolhouse Aquarium (むろと廃校水族館 Muroto Haikō Suizokukan) may feel like you’re walking straight into an underwater anime, with sea creatures inhabiting what used to be a local elementary school. Arguably Japan’s most unique aquarium, you can find sharks (鮫 same) and sea turtles (海がめ umigame) swimming in the school’s swimming pool, or fish tanks scattered around a classroom. Nothing is cooler (or stranger) than seeing hammerhead sharks (シュモクザメ shumokuzame) swim around in a school’s swimming pool. Run by the non-profit organization Sea Turtle Association of Japan, the aquarium has become part of the community with local fishermen donating exhibitable fish that they catch.
Muroto Schoolhouse Aquarium (むろと廃校水族館)
Address: 533ｰ2 Murotomisakicho, Muroto, Kochi 781-7101
Nearest station: Nahari Station (奈半利駅)
Access: 40-minute drive or 70-minute bus ride from the station
Opening hours: 9am–6pm (Apr–Sep), 9am–5pm (Oct–Mar)
Admission fee: ¥600
Tel: +81 887-22-0815
That could be you on the left! (Image credit: Visit Kochi Japan)
At the Muroto Dolphin Center (室戸ドルフィンセンター Muroto Dorufin Sentā), you can swim alongside dolphins (イルカ iruka) in the ocean right beside the centre. If you’ve ever been envious of the dolphin trainers you see at aquariums, here’s your chance to be one as you learn how to teach tricks through gestures with the dolphins and practise performances with your fellow trainers. The goal of the facility is to facilitate human-dolphin interaction and engender more love for sea creatures. It was also designed as a therapy facility for people with disabilities to interact with dolphins in collaboration with the Japan Dolphin Therapy Association. More importantly, the centre is committed to ensuring that the dolphins are safe and happy interacting with people, rather than being forced to work in a show-like environment. So don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to interact with these amazing creatures and come face to face with them.
Muroto Dolphin Center (室戸ドルフィンセンター)
Address: 6810-162 Kujirahama, Murotomisakicho, Muroto, Kochi 781-7101
Nearest station: Nahari Station (奈半利駅)
Access: 35-minute drive or 1-hour bus ride from the station
Opening hours: 10am–5pm
Fee: ¥2,000 (Trainer Experience), ¥9,000 (Dolphin Swim Experience)
Tel: +81 887-22-1245
Can you see the resemblance to a daruma (だるま)? (Image credit: Hosogi Takuya)
End the day by trying to catch a daruma sunset (だるま夕日 daruma yūhi) at Cape Muroto (室戸岬 Muroto-misaki). The daruma is a bright red doll which acts as a good-luck or protective charm that you can often find at temples. Daruma sunsets are nicknamed as such for their resemblance to a daruma as the bright-red sunset touches the horizon resembling a head above a rounded body. Part of the Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark (室戸ユネスコ世界ジオパーク Muroto Yunesuko Sekai Jiopāku), Cape Muroto is located at the southeastern-most tip of Shikoku, providing great, uninterrupted views of both sunrises and sunsets.
Cape Muroto (室戸岬)
Address: Murotomisakicho, Muroto, Kochi 781-7101
Nearest station: Nahari Station (奈半利駅)
Access: 40-minute drive or 55-minute bus ride from the station
Day 2: Splash down some of Japan’s best rivers
Enjoy an adrenaline rush as you paddle down Class 4+ rapids on the Yoshino River! (Image credit: Kochi Visitors & Convention Bureau)
Whitewater rafting might sound daunting, but it’s one of the most accessible extreme sports around. Even if you’ve never rafted before, can’t swim, lack physical endurance, or have a fear of heights, you can still enjoy the thrill of rafting. Zoom down the Yoshino River (吉野川 Yoshino-gawa), one of Japan’s few Class 4+ rapids as you feel the adrenaline rush while paddling along down the river, something anyone can pick up in 10 minutes. At Happy Raft, you can get a half-day rafting experience for ¥6,000 inclusive of everything you need such as a guide and rental equipment, making it a fuss-free experience.
Happy Raft (ハッピーラフト)
Address: 221-1 Ikadagicho, Otoyo, Nagaokagun, Kochi 789-0157
Nearest station: Tosa-Iwahara Station (土佐岩原駅)
Opening hours: 6am–9pm (Mar–Oct)
Admission fee: ¥6,000 (Half-day tour), ¥11,000 (Full-day tour)
Tel: +81 887-75-0500
Try Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) on the crystal blue waters of the Niyodo River. (Image credit: Suggoi Sports)
Kochi is home to Niyodo River (仁淀川 Niyodo-gawa), ranked the river with the best water quality in the whole of Japan. The clarity and blueness of the waters have earned it the nickname “Niyodo Blue”. One of the most intimate ways that you can enjoy the river is through Stand-Up Paddling (SUP), where there’s nothing but you and unadulterated nature. Gently paddle above the crystal-clear and blue waters of the Niyodo River as you take in your surroundings or even lie back on your board, drifting down the river watching the clouds above you.
Suggoi Sports (スッゴイスポーツ)
Address: 2658 Shimobun, Hidakamura, Takaokagun, Kochi 781-2151
Nearest station: Omurajinjamae Station (小村神社前駅)
Opening hours: 8am–9pm
Admission fee: ¥7,500
Tel: +81 889-39-1868
Day 3: Dive underwater at Kashiwa Island and then dig in at Hirome Market
Experience the surreal world underneath the waves. (Image credit: Kashiwajima Diving Service Seaair)
There’s nothing quite as special as going for your first scuba dive and discovering an entirely new world underwater. Everywhere you look, there is just endless sea and sand in every direction, which can be both enchanting and overwhelming at the same time. At Kashiwa Island (柏島 Kashiwa-jima), get up-close and personal with the marine life underneath the waves, and if you’re lucky you can even spot sea turtles or sea horses (竜の落とし子 tatsunōtoshigo). AQUAS Kashiwajima Diving Service provides diving experiences for beginners without a license for ¥14,080, and if you’re looking to get a license, you can even get a PADI Open Water License in two days from ¥52,800.
AQUAS Kashiwajima Diving Service (柏島ダイビングサービスAQUAS)
Address: 130 Kashiwajima, Otsuki, Hata, Kochi 788-0343
Nearest station: Sukumo Station (宿毛駅)
Access: 45-minute drive or 1-hour bus ride from the station
Opening hours: 8am–8pm
Admission fees: ¥14,080 (Experience Diving), ¥52,800~ (PADI Open Water License)
Tel: +81 880-76-0100
At Warayaki Katsuo Tataki Myojimmaru (藁焼き鰹たたき明神丸) in Hirome Market, you can watch the chefs grill the katsuo (鰹 bonito) in an open kitchen concept. (Image credit: Visit Kochi Japan)
Lastly, no trip to Kochi is complete without trying out their signature dish, katsuo no tataki (鰹のたたき), where katsuo is broiled over a straw flame and served with salt or shōyu (醤油). One of the best places to get it is Hirome Market (ひろめ市場 Hirome Ichiba), also known as Kochi’s kitchen. It boasts over 65 different shops including gyoza, sashimi, yakitori, and of course, alcohol. The people of Kochi are well-known lovers of alcohol, and Hirome Market is one of the places where you can find the locals drinking from dawn to dusk.
Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
Address: 2-3-1 Obiyamachi, Kochi 780-0841
Nearest station: Ōhashidōri Station (大橋通駅)
Opening hours: 10am–10pm (Monday–Saturday), 9am-10pm (Sunday)
Tel: +81 88-822-5287
Warayakitataki Myojimmaru (藁焼き鰹たたき明神丸)
Address: 2-3-1 Obiyamachi, Kochi 780-0841
Nearest station: Ōhashidōri Station (大橋通駅)
Opening hours: 10am–9.30pm (Monday–Saturday), 9am-10pm (Sunday)
Tel: +81 88-820-5101
Enjoy the aquatic wonders of Kochi
(Image credit: Jeremy Jee)
If you’re the adventurous type seeking for some aquatic thrills, or someone who wants to get back in touch with nature, Kochi offers a plethora of activities from rivers to the sea. Many of these are guided tours, giving you that valuable interaction with the locals as well as the convenience of fuss-free travel with the tour host settling the logistics. Kochi might not be the first location many think of when exploring Japan, but it is chock full of unique and wonderful gems waiting to be discovered.
Header image credit: Suggoi Sports
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Jeremy Jee
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