Kochi Castle, A Castle of History and Nighttime Splendor
1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture
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Introduction
Kochi Castle, located in the center of Kochi City, is a historic castle built under the leadership of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a senior retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu, during the Edo period. The statue of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, the first lord of the castle, is located near the Otemon gate in Kochi Castle Park. In the NHK historical drama "Komyo Crossroads," Yamauchi Kazutoyo is portrayed as the protagonist, rising from a junior officer to become a daimyo with a fief of 240,000 koku of rice, with the help of his wife, Chiyo. The remaining artifacts and documents make it known as the "Lucky City," and 15 buildings within the castle are designated as important cultural properties of Japan. Among them, the tenshu or main keep is one of the "Twelve Existing Castle Keeps" in Japan and is designated as a national treasure. Connected to the main keep is the Honmaru Goten, one of the four surviving palace buildings in Japan. The tenshu has six interior floors and five exterior floors, showcasing scenes of the reconstruction of Kochi Castle, the lifestyle of the local people in the past, and the spectacular scenes of whaling in the surrounding seas. From the observation deck on the highest floor, visitors can enjoy a clear view of the surrounding beautiful scenery. Kochi Castle's Hachimangu Shrine is the place where the successive lords of the castle offered prayers and made wishes. Kochi Castle is also famous for its night views, with most areas of the park open to the public at night. The moat, climbing paths, and the area around the main keep are specially illuminated, creating a picturesque moonlit scenery. Visitors can also visit the nearby Kochi Castle History Museum and Library in their leisure time. Address 1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture
Transportation It takes about 25 minutes to walk from Kochi Station; after getting off at Tosa Electric Railway Kochi-jo Mae Station, it takes about 5 minutes to walk; take the Tosa Electric Bus in front of Kochi Station, get off at Kochi-jo Mae Station, and it takes about 5 minutes to walk.
