Otoyo, town in Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture, Japan
Otoyo is a small town in Kōchi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, located among green hills and forests. It features traditional wooden houses, narrow streets that follow the natural terrain, and simple structures that have remained largely unchanged over generations.
Otoyo was part of the old Tosa province for centuries, shaped by farmers and craftspeople who built the foundations of local life. Many buildings and temples date back over 1,000 years, including Yakushidou, a national treasure built in the Nara period, and Jyofukuji temple, which has stood for more than 1,000 years.
Otoyo has roots in the old Tosa province, and the name reflects this regional identity. Today, traditional crafts like woodworking and pottery remain visible in small workshops, where artisans continue methods passed down through generations and local festivals celebrate these customs with music and dance.
The winding roads around Otoyo require careful driving, making a rental car more practical than the limited public transport options available. Planning ahead is helpful since bus connections are infrequent and the journey from nearby towns takes time through rural areas.
Otoyo is home to Japan's oldest cedar tree, Sugi's Giant Cedar, which is about 3,000 years old and legend says was planted by the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto. This enormous tree stands deep in the mountain forest and draws visitors interested in ancient nature and local spiritual traditions.
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