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Sun-kissed KOCHI lies dead centre of the arch-shaped southern prefecture of Shikoku. Texts from 712 refer to the area as "Takeyoriwake", meaning "brave and manly country" - a reputation enforced by the city being the birthplace of some of Japan's most impressive historical figures. Tosa was the next name of the area and is still used by people today, particularly when referring to the local cuisine. It wasn't until 1603, when ruling daimyo Yamaguchi Katsutoyo named his castle Kochiyama (now Kochi-jo), that the city adopted its present name. The castle is still the highlight of any visit to Kochi. To see anything else of interest requires a short journey out of the city centre. The most immediately rewarding trip is to Godai-san-koen , a mountain-top park overlooking the city, and the nearby Chikurin-ji , the 31st temple on the pilgrimage circuit. South of the city lies Katsurahama, with its celebrated beach and Tosa fighting dogs, though in fact the most interesting attraction here is the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum , dedicated to a local hero of the Meiji Restoration. Kochi-ken is predominantly rural, and the people here are refreshingly down-to-earth, something you'll discover if you time your visit to coincide with a three-hundred-year-old institution, the weekly Sunday market on Kochi's Otesuji-dori when farmers from all over the prefecture bring their produce to town. Even so, the capital is no hick town. On the contrary, Kochi has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel, with its wide, palm-lined avenues, network of rivers and shopping arcades, and gently trundling trams. Also it's well worth attending the Yosokoi Matsuri , Kochi's O-bon festival - with 14,000 plus dancers, it might not be as big as Tokushima's Awa Odori, which it immediately precedes from August 9-12, but it's just as colourful.
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