Kochi Castle

Kochi, Japan, Japan

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Kochi Castle is a rare, original Edo-period hill castle located at the center of Kōchi City on the island of Shikoku, and it is one of only twelve castles in Japan that still preserves its authentic main keep from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Built between 1601 and 1611 by Yamauchi Kazutoyo, the first feudal lord of the Tosa Domain, the castle became the residence and administrative center of the Yamauchi family for over 250 years, and after a major fire in 1727 destroyed most wooden structures, it was carefully rebuilt in 1748–1753 in the same style as the original, allowing it to survive wars, natural disasters, and the widespread castle demolitions of the Meiji era.

Today the five-story, white-walled main keep functions as a museum displaying the castle’s history, models, and artifacts, while the surrounding stone walls, gates, and gardens offer views over the city and are especially popular during spring for cherry blossom festivals and evening illuminations. The castle grounds are easily reached by a short walk from the Kōchi-jō-mae tram stop (about 15 minutes from JR Kōchi Station), and nearby museums such as the Kōchi Castle Museum.