Kochi Castle
高知城
One of only 12 original-form main keeps (tenshu) surviving in Japan, and the only castle whose main keep and Honmaru palace are both fully preserved, with views over central Kochi.
Kochi Castle was begun in 1601 by Yamauchi Kazutoyo, the first lord of the Tosa Domain. The existing main keep was rebuilt between 1747 and 1753, making it one of only 12 original-form main keeps left in Japan. It is the only castle in Japan where the main keep within the Honmaru, the Honmaru Palace (Kaitokukan), the gates and other structures are all preserved in their original form, and it is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Climbing the keep offers 360-degree views of the city. In front of Otemon Gate stands a statue of Itagaki Taisuke, and opposite is the Kochi Castle History Museum. Admission to the keep is about ¥420, and it is a five-minute walk from the “Kochi-jo-mae” tram stop.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Hirome Market
- Kochi Sunday Market
- Harimaya Bridge
- Chikurinji Temple & Mount Godai Observatory
- Makino Botanical Garden
- Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
- Katsurahama Beach & Sakamoto Ryoma Statue
- Ryugado Cave