Kochi, Japan

Wednesday, April 17, 2019    Kochi, Japan

We had a awesome sunshine day when the ship entered the port of Kochi. We hopped on the shuttle bus at 8:30am, a 20 minute ride into town. 

We walked into the town passing the Harimaya Bridge, a bright red bridge that is featured in a famous Japanese song about the forbidden love of a Buddhist priest. 

On the opposite side of the street an Automaton Clock displays a group of dancers, the Harimaya Bridge, Kochi Castle,  and Katsurahama (area beach) appear  in time with the melody of the Yosakoi song.  Kochi is the birthplace of Sakamoto Ryoma, famous for leading the Japanese government away from the restrictive clan samurai rule.

The city is known for its popular electric streetcar transportation.

                                                             Crossing the moat

On the way to the Kochi Castle we passed through the Tsumemon Gate, the main gate (guardhouse) into the inner sanctum of the castle.

First views of the Kochi Castle

Built in the 1600’s the Kochi Castle took more than ten years to construct. 

                 We walked up 160  old stone stairs looking up to the castle as we approached.

Magnificent!

We took off our shoes to enter the castle, carrying them in a bag that they provided us with once we purchased our 420 yen ticket ($4.20US).

                                                                         Up, Up, Up we went!

We climbed about another 100 stairs once inside achieving a panoramic view of the whole city. This castle appeared to be more authentic than the Osaka Castle, with the well worn wide flooring, the massive structural beams and the boulder size rocks that were moss covered. I enjoyed climbing the extensively steep five stairwells that were almost ladder like. 

The views of the city made it well worth the climb. 

Just outside the castle....

We walked the inclined roadway on the way back down from the castle....

 passing through a fantastic modernly covered outdoor shopping area.

We returned back to the ship on one of the last shuttles arriving to hear farewell music of an accordion player and guitarist.

                                         Kochi was adorned with many gorgeous flowers!