Kochi Castle is well known for its elegant design and is one of just 12 castle towers that have survived intact from the Meiji era. Of these 12, Kochi Jo sits alone as the only remaining castle in which the entire castle keep and palace, have survived intact.
Like many castles in Japan, Kochi Jo has a bird-based nickname and is known as Hawk Castle because the white Tosa plaster walls and grayish hue of its roof tiles are said to resemble a hawks glistening wings.
The Castle’s construction kicked off in 1601 and was completed ten years later. Unfortunately, Kochi castle was turned to ashes by a great fire, but in 1753 it was rebuilt with a very similar design to the original.
Features of Kochi Castle
Kochi Castle is characterized by the fact that the core central region of the castle grounds, known as the honmaru has been preserved since the Edo period.
In fact, Kochi Castle is unique in that it is the only castle where both the castle keep and the core structures have survived.
Another unique aspect of the castle is that the lord lived within the main structure in a separate living area called the Ninomaru Goten while the tower section was reserved for holding important meetings or entertaining guests.
The castle keep is a freestanding three-story watchtower style structure with a lookout on the top level. Since this type of structure was typically seen in castle towers up to the first years of Edo, experts believe it to be a reproduction of the original tower before it was destroyed by fire.
The top floor has a veranda and a balustrade-type railing. Word is that these railings were modeled after Kakegawa Castle, which is where the first lord of the castle, Kazutoyo Yamauchi, used to call home. The design provides a 360° view of the castle grounds and surrounding areas.
Kochi Castle’s Night Illumination
Kochi Castle is quite the night owl and lights up each night until 10:00 pm. Along with Takeda Castle and Osaka Castle, it is considered one of the best three-night viewing castles in the country.
Kochi Castle found its inner disco queen and began lighting up in 1986 after the idea was proposed by who else, but a prominent local nightclub promoter.
The lighting changes depending on the time of year. In spring, the castle is, of course, illuminated with cherry blossoms. In summer, candles and wind chimes are beautifully matched and in autumn, candlelights are the stars of the show.
Dragon Headed Fish Deities
Kochi Castle is also well known for its impressive bronze shachi ornaments that sit on the Main Otemon Gate and Castle Keep. The term “shachi” refers to a mythical fish with the head of a dragon. You will often see shachis on castles. They are said to be a fire-preventing guardian deity living beneath the waves.
You can get a great lookup close of the Sachi from the window of the top floor of the castle.
Defensive Anti-Climbing Spikes
Although Kochi Castle was rebuilt in the peaceful era, you can never be too careful and many devices for fighting and defense were installed.
The “Ninjibigashira,” the only device of its kind left in Japan, consists of a pointed iron bar sticking out of the castle.
It is located on the castle tower’s north face and was designed to deter and eliminate enemy samurai who tried to scale the walls of the castle.
The castle’s layout is also sneakily designed to make it difficult to reach the main keep. A samurai taking what appears to be a shortcut to the castle’s main citadel will actually be led away to an area where he can’t cause any trouble.
Unique Stone Plumbing
Kochi prefecture is one of the wettest places in Japan and can get a lot of rain. This is why Kochi Castle has a uniquely designed stone gutter to assist with drainage.
The stone gutter which you can see close up from inside the keep is a unique feature of Kochi Castle. It collects and drains rainwater and prevents it from entering and seeping down into the castle walls, which can cause them to collapse.
The gutter is designed to drain rainwater in a way that it never comes into contact with the stone walls, and there are paving stones below the gutter to catch the runoff and prevent it from pooling.
Japan’s Largest Cavalry Statue
Just outside the library, there is an enormous bronze statue of the first lord of the Tosa domain, Kazutoyo Yamauchi on his trusty and beloved horse. It is the tallest such statue in the archipelago and stands 9.4 meters high.
Kazutoyo, from Owari Provence (Aichi), knew his way around a sword and arrow and was a renowned military commander. He served under all three of the great warlords, Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and Ieyasu Tokugawa.
The original statue, made of bronze was built in 1913 but during the 2nd world war, the material was scarce, and poor old Kazutoyo was melted down to make bullets and other materials. Thankfully the stature was remade in 1996 and Kazutoyo could once again take his rightful place at the front of the castle he founded.
Chiyo and The Beautiful Horse
If equestrian statutes are your thing you have come to the right place because there is also a statue of Chiyo, wife of Kazutoyo Yamauchi, and their beautiful horse. Chiyo was well known for her inner strength and was said to have made a great team with her husband.
One day, the hubby saw a famous horse, and wouldn’t you know it, he just had to have it. But at the time Kazutoyo was a bit low on cash and the horse was too expensive for him to afford.
Chiyo then offered to give him 10 Ryo, basically her full dowry, so he could scrounge up enough to purchase the fine steed. The horse was so flash that it caught the eye of none other than Nobunaga Oda at a military parade and this is said to have been the catalyst for Kazutoyo Yamauchi’s unlikely rise to power.
Kochi Castle Main Gate
A fine castle needs a fine front gate and Kochi jo’s main Otemon gate stands majestically on an impressively missioned front stone wall.
The main gate and wall form a square, allowing counterattacks on trespassing armies from three points.
On the gate, also notice the Ishi Ochiri or Stone Drop. The castle defenders could have used this gap to throw stones or poke spears at climbing enemy samurai.
Hirome Market
Castle exploring can work up an apatite and luckily there is a great market nearby. It’s called Hirome Ichiba Market and is a food and shopping spot near not far from Kochi Castle.
From the outside, the market appears as though it might be a tourist trap and it could have easily become such, but once you step inside you notice that it has an interesting and lively vibe.
A big reason for this is that the market is just as popular with locals as it is with tourists and the food court area has large wooden seating with adds to the communal vibes.
There are over 60 stores and eateries but if you are looking for a unique Kochi flavor we recommend making a beeline to the place smoking katsuo fish to make the best katsuo no tataki you will ever taste.
The Oldest Street Market In Japan
The Street, which runs east from the main gate is the location for a Sunday Market which is held every, you guessed it, Sunday.
The market has been going since way back in 1690. That’s well over 300 years making it the oldest street market in Japan.
Kochi Castle Museum of History
The Kochi Castle Museum of history is just a stone’s throw from the castle entrance. The museum exhibits many items inherited from the Yamauchi family, who were lords of the Tosa domain throughout the Edo period.
The Yamauchi’s it seems to enjoy peacocking around and on display is a range of their elaborately decorated and eccentric helmets.
There is even one unusual helmet that is said to resemble a rabbit’s ears and you can just imagine Yamauchi-san prancing around in it to envious looks from his samurai buddies.
There’s also an observation lobby on the top floor where you can get a good view of Kochi castle and its gate.
Although there are limited English descriptions, you can get an audio guide in English with a 1000 yen deposit.
History of Kochi Castle
Where Kochi Castle stands today a former castle named Otakasaka Castle was built in the Nanbokucho Period (1644).
During the 150-year civil war known as the Warring States Period Tosa Province, which is now called Kochi Prefecture was ruled by Chosokabe Motochika.
Otakasaka Castle
Motochika Chosokabe initially used another castle as his main residence, but in 1588, he wanted a change of scenery and moved into Otakasaka Castle. However, because Otakasaka Castle was often flooded, he got tired of constantly trudging around in a swamp and packed up and went to base himself at the new nearby Urato Castle.
In the year 1600, the cataclysmic Battle of Sekigahara erupted and Morichika Chosokabe, the lord of Otakasaka Castle picked the wrong side and ended up losing with his western army comrades.
Ieyasu Tokugawa became the big shot in Japan and the new shogun promptly snatched away Morichika’s lands and territory.
The Yamauchi Clan Takes Control
To take his place was Kazutoyo Yamauchi who had wisely joined the eastern army, was given the Tosa domain (Now Kochi), and quickly made his way to Shikoku to settle innate his new castle Urato Castle.
But the old Chosokabe family vassals decided they wouldn’t stand for such dishonor and revolted against the loss of Urato Castle before Yamuchi could set foot in the door of his new digs.
This disturbance was suppressed by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who, not one to be truffled with, was enraged by the revolt, which leas to the shedding of much blood.
Kochi Castle Is Built
In 1601, Kazutoyo Yamauchi put up a new castle on Otakasaka hill with a more modern design. It gained the name “Kawachi” because it was between two rivers which is how it came to be called Kochi Castle.
Expert engineers were brought in to control the flooding and drain the swamp and after ten years, the castle and compound were completed in 1611.
In 1727, a large fire broke out and destroyed a large proportion of Kochi Castle. It then took a lengthy 25 years to rebuild all of the structures.
The Yamauchi’s entrenched themselves and called Kochi castle home for an impressive 16 generations. It wasn’t until the Meiji era and its anti-feudal fervor, that they received their eviction notice and were forced to move out.
The Meiji Ordinance
When the Tokugawa family finally lost power and the Meiji period kicked off, an ordinance was sent out to abolish the castle. many structures were torn down, leaving only the Honmaru, Otemon gate, and a few others.
In 1874, the castle and its grounds were opened to the public and it was named Kochi Park.
Opening hours
Closed from 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 admission), December 26 to January 1.
Admission Cost
Adults: 420 yen (over 18)
Others: Others Under 18 years old Free
location
Address: 1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture
Phone: 088-824-5701 (Kochi Castle Administration Office)
