Kochi Courses

The starting point of the course in Kochi Prefecture has an excellent coastline. Shirahama is a beautiful shallow beach suitable for swimming, and you can enjoy ponkan oranges at the stalls along the national highway.

Spots to photograph Signboard of "Shikoku Road Starting Point"

This route covers the eastern half of the Noneyama Highway, a road once used for sankin-kotai (travel for alternate attendance) by feudal lords. It features an impressive row of cedar trees planted in the late Edo period, and the remains of the old checkpoint evoke memories of the past.

Spots to photograph Iwasa Checkpoint Rest Area Sign

This route covers the western half of the Noneyama Highway. It features Yadoyasugi, a massive cedar where travelers once took shelter in its hollow trunk, as well as milestone mounds built at one ri (about 4 km) intervals, preserving the road's historical atmosphere.

Spots to photograph Yadoyasugi Rest Area Sign

This mountain trail takes visitors from the base of the mountain to Konomine Temple, the 27th temple of the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Spots to photograph Signboard of "Konomine Rest Area"

This tour covers cultural and historical sites such as the remains of samurai residences, the birthplace of Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of the Mitsubishi conglomerate, and the Nora Dokei (field clock) from the Meiji period.

Spots to photograph Signboard of "Birthplace of Yataro Iwasaki"

A bikeway route departing from Aki city and leading to the beautiful Kotogahama beach, extending for 4 km, in Matsubara.

Spots to photograph Akano rest area place-name sign

A bikeway route departing from Kotogahama, crossing Tei and its famous bathing beaches and reaching the Tsukimiyama Children's Forest

Spots to photograph Teisaki Lighthouse

A path to enjoy the countryside, departing from, Tsukimiyama Children's Forest, crossing the Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum and reaching Dainichi-ji temple, the 28th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.

Spots to photograph rest area on the summit of the rockslide at Tsukimiyama Children's Forest

A path touring the historical Ryūga Cave (a 4km-long limestone cave) and reaching Kagamino Park, known for its cherry blossoms.

Spots to photograph Kagamino Park place-name sign

This hiking trail lets visitors enjoy the wonderful nature of the mountains, starting from the Suita Dam on the Monobe River and passing through Hachioji Shrine, a famous cherry blossom spot.

Spots to photograph Signboard of "Aburaishi Rest Area"

While immersing yourself in the rural scenery, you can tour the site of Ki no Tsurayuki's residence, Kokubunji, the 29th temple of the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, the Chosokabe clan’s Oko Castle residence, and many other historic sites.

Spots to photograph Main gate of Kokubunji Temple (with "Manisan" written on it)

This trail provides a view of Kochi city after you climb the mountain from Tosa Shrine, along a ridge, passing through a golf course, Kosaka Pass, Bussegoe, and finally to Engyoji Onsenguchi.

Spots to photograph Signboard of Nanatsubuchi Shrine

The trail connects Kiyotakiji Temple No. 35 to Seiryuji Temple No. 36 of the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, and the Yokonami Peninsula has a beautiful ria coastline.

Spots to photograph Signpost for Seiryuji Temple "2.3 km from Fukugoe, Tosa City, 4.3 km to downtown Tosa"

This coastal trail uses an old national highway, and features the beautiful town of Kure (now Nakatosa Town), which is famous for Yusuke Aoyagi's "Tosa Pole-and-line Fishing," and Futana Islands floating in Kure Bay.

Spots to photograph Signboard of Futana Islands

This mountain trail runs from the town of Kure to Nanako Pass on the border of the former Kubokawa (now Shimanto). In the spring, you can enjoy the beautiful rows of cherry blossom trees at the Osaka Rest Area.

Spots to photograph Signboard of "Osaka Rest Area"

The old Kubokawa-cho (currently, Shimanto-cho) is a tranquil walking path in the mountains, you can take a short break and rest under the 700-year old tree called Hirohachi Shanoki, a national natural monument.

Spots to photograph Hirohachi Shanoki Name Board

The course reminds the visitors of the history it holds, including the Kumano Shrine. Enjoy the beautiful view of Kashimagaura Bay from the Kashima Rest Area, and visit the nearby Tosaseinan Daikibo Park.

Spots to photograph Iyoki Tenmangu Shrine Rest Area Name Board

This course along the coast that takes you from Inomisaki to Kakise Bridge. Enjoy the gorgeous scenic miles of white sand and pine trees in Irino Matsubara, or take a swim on the famous Ukitsu beach.

Spots to photograph Ukitsu Rest Area Name Board

This course offers a panoramic view of Shimanto River starting in Irino Matsubara, and takes you by Kanegahama and Hiranogahama beaches, finally arriving in Shimoda.

Spots to photograph Yurin Park Name Board

A course that takes you through beaches from Hatsuzaki, the ferry point at the river outlet of Shimanto city, past Nashishi Bay, and finally arriving at Nunoura.

Spots to photograph Hatsuzaki Rest Area Name Board

This coastal course takes you from the beautiful sandy beaches and pine trees of Oki Bay to the Kubotsu Whaling Port.

Spots to photograph Oki Bus Stop (Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park Oki Beach) Stone Pillar

The course that reaches Shimokawaguchi via the coast of Tatsukushi, offers views of oddly shaped rocks. It also has an underwater observatory and underwater park.

Spots to photograph Minokoshi guide sign that says "2.5 km to Tatsukushi Bridge, Viewing platform"

The coastal course from Shimokawaguchi to Kosaitsuno offers a wonderful scenery of sea-carved caves and reefs.

Spots to photograph "Kanaezaki Rest Area" place name sign

This route branches off from Sunny Road (National Route 321) and serves as the starting point for exploring the coastline of Otsuki Town. The starting point, Kozaitsuno, is known as the birthplace of Tosa coral harvesting.

Spots to photograph Hozaki Rest Area Sign

Kashinishi Garden is a scenic area that includes a marine park, where visitors can enjoy swimming, birdwatching, and forest bathing.

Spots to photograph Chiman Falls Rest Area Sign

This cliffside trail offers an up-close experience of the stunning Odo Coastline, stretching for several kilometers. Wild monkeys can sometimes be seen along the way.

Spots to photograph Sign with a "monkey illustration" pointing to Oman Falls

The course that crosses a mountain pass located at the end of the Kochi Prefecture and continues on to the "Old Sukumo Main Road" in Ehime Prefecture offers a wonderful view from the Sumitomo Castle Ruins Viewing Platform.

Spots to photograph Sumitomo Castle Ruins place name sign

As the starting point of a course that branches off from the Shikoku Loop Course and takes a shortcut through Ehime Prefecture, caves and karst can easily be seen, and Makino Park is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing.

Spots to photograph Place name board of “Sakawa Naumann Karst”

A course that takes visitors on a stroll through the rural landscape of the town of Sakawa and the place where the loyalists of the Kin'o Shishi gathered when they left their domains.

Spots to photograph Stone monument of “Dappan Shishi Shugou-no-chi ”

This is a mountain trail that circles Yokogurayama, known for being the mountain of Botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino’s botanical research, and Antoku-sui (Water of Antoku) has been selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan.

Spots to photograph Place name board of "Yokoguragu Shrine Rest Area"

This is a mountain course via Hoshigakubo, which is said to be a depression formed by a meteorite impact, and the Chojya no Oicho is designated as a natural monument of the prefecture.

Spots to photograph Place name board of “Hoshigakubo Rest Area”

This is the final trail of the Shikoku Nature Trail in Kochi Prefecture. The Obikiwari and Kobikiwari rock formations, created by tectonic movements, are designated as National Natural Monuments. Akiba Shrine's Akiba Festival is one of the three major festivals of Tosa.

Spots to photograph Information Sign for Obikiwari and Kobikiwari