Katsurahama beach
Katsurahama is one of the most beautiful beaches in Kochi Prefecture, located a little south of the eponymous city in the south of Shikoku Island. Its main difference is the majestic bronze statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, one of the country's national heroes, towering on Ryutsu mull on the eastern outskirts. People come here not only for the sake of traditional beach activities, but for a relaxing holiday on the shore and exciting walks along the coast, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Photos
Beach description
The long sandy beach of Katsurahama stretches a 500-meter arc between Ryutsu mull (Dragon Head) in the north and Ryuo (Dragon King) in the east of Urado Bay, about 30 km from the city of Kochi. Vacationers come here for vast emerald pine grove, a wide shore with alternating strips of light gray and white sand, sometimes interspersed with tiny pebbles and stones, and turquoise ocean waters create impressive landscapes. Looking at this picturesque coast and its surroundings, it becomes clear why this beach is one of the hundred best on the coast of Japan.
- Stormy waves of Pacific Ocean and strong currents make Katsurahama not the most suitable place for swimming, as evidenced by warning signs that it is forbidden to swim here. Those wishing to conquer the waves are better off heading to the neighboring Tosa beach located west of this coast.
- This place is so picturesque that it has long been considered one of the best in Japan for the traditional observation of the moon. This fact is even mentioned in one of Japanese folk songs.
- On a hill, on the outskirts of the beach, there is a traditional Shinto shrine dedicated to the sea dragon, the spirit of the sea. You can climb up the steps of a stone staircase and enjoy the spectacular views of the surroundings from this peculiar observation deck.
Visiting attractions in the park around the beach is paid, but the coast itself is accessible to tourists and local residents without any entrance fee. Walking in Katsurahama is the most budget option to enjoy the picturesque scenery and get acquainted with the historical past of the country. This coast is rightly considered the real symbol of Kochi. There are crowds of people in summer.
When is the best time to go?
If in the north of Japan, in Hokkaido, the weather in January-February is quite wintery, in the southern islands the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees even in the cold season. In summer, the rainy season comes in Japan, when the humidity becomes almost one hundred percent, and the thermometer is at 30 to 40 degrees. Therefore, the best time to travel to Japan – is late spring or early autumn.
Video: Beach Katsurahama
Infrastructure
The beach is surrounded by extensive parkland where you can find various shops and kiosks with food, drinks, ice cream, and gifts. There are also few excellent restaurants serving original local dishes.
Near the coast there is paid parking lots, and on the shore you can find toilets and places for camping. The park area is equipped with paved walkways.
You can stay comfortably near the beach at the Katsurahama Hotel, which is located on a hill, this allows you to enjoy scenic views of the coast directly from your room. You can also find many convenient accommodation options in the city of Kochi.
Weather in Katsurahama
Best hotels of Katsurahama
All hotels of KatsurahamaUseful information
- You can get to the coast by public bus (it takes about 50 minutes) from the railway station in Kochi, getting off at the bus stop with the name of the beach, or by a rented car (about half an hour from the same starting point).
- Near the beach, in the Katsurahama Park, you can visit several interesting places, including the Tosa Inu wrestling dog kennel, located near the Sakamoto statue. Tosa Inu is a dog breed that has been used by the Japanese in dog fights since the 14th century. In the kennel, you can see these dogs, and such fights, which are prohibited in many other prefectures.
- There is also a beach aquarium, it is a great place where you can not only see rare fish of Tosa Bay but also admire the penguins, watch the show of fur seals and dolphins. On the hillside on the outskirts of the park, you can also visit the Sakamoto Ryoma Museum, where you can see original artifacts and learn about the famous samurai's life. The beach itself is an ideal place to observe the moon, especially in autumn.
- In the region, it is worth visiting Ryugu, one of Japanese most famous karst caves. Almost a kilometer of underground labyrinths is available for tourists to visit. Next to the cave is the Chincho Bird Sanctuary, where you can admire the Japanese long-tailed roosters, considered the country's natural treasure. It is also worth visiting the Kochi-jo castle and climbing to the summit of Godai to enjoy the views of the city.
- In Kochi, there are several spa centers and places with hot springs, which are also worthy of attention when coming to these places.