Kochi, Capital city in Shikoku Island, Japan
Kochi sits on the Tosa plain, hemmed by mountains, and opens southward to Tosa Bay along the Pacific Ocean. The city spreads along the Kagami River, reaching from the coastal strip to the forested slopes in the north.
The castle was built in 1603 and served as the administrative center of Tosa Province throughout the Edo period. After World War II the city grew rapidly and became the capital of Kōchi Prefecture.
Every August the Yosakoi Festival brings thousands of dancers to the streets, each group wearing costumes and shaking wooden clappers as they move through the downtown area. The event mixes folk traditions with modern choreography, turning the entire city center into an open-air stage.
From the train station you can walk to the city center, while trams connect the main streets along the waterfront promenade. In summer the Pacific rainy season brings heavy downpours, so waterproof clothing helps.
The city is the leading producer of dried bonito flakes in Japan, and many workshops continue the traditional smoking and drying process passed down through generations. Along the docks you can often catch the characteristic smell of the processing.
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