Earliest cherry blossoms, most beautiful night city — 3 must-visit reasons for Japan’s Kochi Castle

▲ Kochi Castle is the only ancient castle in Japan where you can capture both the Omote-mon Gate and the keep in a single photo.

Reported and photographed by Chen Hanyin / Japan

In Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan, over 80% of the land is covered in forests, offering breathtakingly beautiful pristine greenery that soothes the soul. It is also the hometown of the great Japanese historical figure Sakamoto Ryoma. This culturally and historically rich land is home to one of Japan’s 12 remaining original castle keeps, “Kochi Castle.” Surrounded by picturesque scenery and with the ancient castle well-preserved, it is an unmissable destination for enthusiasts of Japan’s 100 Famous Castles.

▲ Kochi Castle, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Castles, is well-preserved.

Among the castles built during the Edo period, there are only three locations in all of Japan where both the main gate (the “Omote-mon”) and the keep have been preserved together. What makes Kochi Castle particularly unique is that visitors standing just outside the main gate can capture both the Omote-mon and the keep in the same shot. Moreover, for those wishing to explore the castle at night, Kochi Castle is one of Japan’s famous Three Great Night Castles, where lighting on the keep adds a mysterious atmosphere. Beyond its well-maintained architecture, the surrounding gardens and floral scenery are definitely another compelling reason to visit. When cherry blossoms bloom in spring, visitors can come here early to enjoy some of the first stunning pink views.

▲ When flowers are in bloom, the cherry blossoms in the garden often steal the spotlight.

The interior structure of Kochi Castle’s keep consists of three sections, although externally it appears as a four-story building, internally it is a six-story structure divided into three units. The central building of the castle has been fully preserved, and among the most interesting features is the “rock-dropping device,” which was used to unexpectedly drop stones from above to attack enemies during sieges. Climbing to the top of the six-story structure offers an exceptional view, allowing you to take in the entire landscape of Kochi Castle.

▲ The family crest of the Yamauchi clan of the Tosa Domain, the three-leaf aralia, later became the inspiration for the iconic Mitsubishi logo.

▲ This room served as a guest room for the feudal lord, where samurai would hide behind the door to protect their master.

▲ To prevent enemies from easily attacking the castle, the stairways leading to the main gate have multiple turns; if enemies reached this staircase, they would be shot by hidden arrows from the second floor.

▲ Climb up to the sixth floor of Kochi Castle for a panoramic view.

Kochi Castle
Address: 1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi City | Opening Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:30) | Admission: General ¥420 | Fees: ¥420; free for those under 18; group rate (20 or more people) ¥330.
Business Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:30)