Kochi Review - A quiet paradise

After exploring Ehime, I set my sights on Kochi, my next destination to the south. Reaching Kochi is a bit of an adventure. I hopped on a bus from Ehime station, winding through the landscape for about three hours before finally arriving. If you have a car, the journey is more straightforward, but for those who are dependent on public transport, the bus is your best bet. With rugged mountains guarding Kochi’s northern edge, most routes must swing through Kagawa, adding a sense of remoteness to the trip.

 Kochi stands apart from Ehime, exuding a laid-back, rural charm that reminded me of Saga’s countryside. The city itself leans on buses and taxis to get around, but the real magic lies along its sweeping coastline. Shikoku, and Kochi in particular, seem tailor-made for a cycling adventure or a scenic road trip. Hidden coves and quiet stretches of shore await those willing to explore. Much like Shimane, Kochi rewards travelers with a car, opening a world beyond the city limits.

I explored the famous Sunday market in Kochi and was impressed that there were nearly three blocks of stalls selling anything from locally grown produce, handcrafted goods, antiques, and clothing. I was very excited to explore postcards from various decades, covering family portraits, promotions for cities in Japan, postcards from the Olympics, old maritime ships, and more. I nabbed some postcards showing Tokyo Tower before the sprawling metropolis surrounding it was built. I also grabbed a promotion postcard set for Osaka, showing its famous running man and canal.

 I didn’t have too much time in Kochi, but I was able to do a quick bit of shopping and explore the station area. Kochi is a prefecture that should certainly be visited by those looking for a rural road trip or those with more time on their hands. However, for those with a limited schedule, I would recommend Kagawa and Ehime if you only have time for a few prefectures in Shikoku. Kochi is very pretty, and there is no doubt lots of hiking opportunities, but it is more cut off than the northern prefectures.