Kochi, Japan

Kochi’s glorious past comes back to life between the mighty walls of its splendid castle, dating back to the 17th century, and in the nearby museum guarding the precious heritage of works and artefacts highlighted by engaging interactive tools and fascinating high-tech displays. An enjoyable shopping break ends our excursion with a touch of modernity that never disappoints.

• Visit to the imposing Kochi castle
• Visit to the adjacent history museum
• Hirome market: culinary specialities and arts and crafts
• Free time for shopping in the market

• We will start our exploration with a visit to Kochi castle, the symbol of the city, which bears testament to its long history. Built from the 17th century onwards, it is one of 12 castles in Japan to have preserved its original structure from the Edo period and one of the few to have taken on the role of residence as well as defence.
• We will stroll through the park and admire the majestic buildings inside it, housing valuable artefacts and historic objects, imagining life in times gone by.
• Then we will enter the Kochi Castle Museum of History to admire the multitude of historical and artistic documents held inside. The use of interactive tools, high-tech displays and audiovisual devices makes the tour particularly engaging for both adults and children.
• Then we will move on to Hirome market, a short distance from the castle. Opened in 1998, it contains around 60 points of sale, stalls, souvenir shops and chemists , which promote Kochi’s culinary specialities and artistic culture. 
• We will have some free time there for some shopping and to taste a few delicacies before we return to the ship.

• English guides available in limited numbers, we recommend that you book early.

Enter the most mysterious region at the heart of Shikoku island and let Iya Valley captivate you, a place where time seems to stand still. Cross the legendary Kazurabashi Bridge, suspended 14 meters above the river's emerald waters. Then, a reviving lunch before jumping on a boat to conquer Oboke Gorge's 'Big Step' rapids while you discover the secrets of a wilderness sculpted by thousands of years. An adventure that will challenge you, delight you and take you straight to another side of Japan!

• Walk across Kazurabashi Bridge, 14 meter high
• Sail on Oboke Gorge on a panoramic cruise

No wavering – enter Shikoku's most remote heart and get ready for a trip that will overturn all your expectations. Iya Valley welcomes you with its ancient aura – intertwined traditions, legends and pristine nature, where every step seems to brush against faraway times.

Start by crossing Kazurabashi Bridge, Japan's most famous vine bridge: A gangway suspended 14 meters above a river's emerald waters, flowing deeply and slowly. Here, the adrenaline rises just like a call to adventure. It's a short crossing, but you'll remember it for a long time.

Discoveries make people hungry, you really deserve the included typical lunch before setting off toward the next site.
Let the energy of Oboke Gorge carry you away. Jump on board for a panoramic cruise and take on the 'Big Step' rapids, a spectacular stretch where the Yoshino river narrows, accelerates and gets wild amid rocky walls sculpted by time. As you sail on in all safety, discover the geological secrets that have molded this gorge: Ancient layers, rocky folds, shapes that narrate billions of years of earth movements.

End the trip with the feeling of having touched an almost legendary side of Japan, a side that doesn't show itself willingly. An experience not just to be viewed, but to be felt, breathed in and carried inside!

• The panoramic cruise to Oboke Gorge will not take place in the event of elevated water levels, strong winds, storms or other conditions that may interfere with the operations. If the ship cannot sail, the tour will be canceled.

Dive into the energy of Kochi: Reach Katsurahama Beach and brave the proud gaze of Ryoma Sakamoto statue, depicting the rebel who changed the history of Japan. Let history enfold you and enter Kochi Castle, one of the few castles still standing. Then let the irresistible bustle of Hirome Market overwhelm you, amid scents, colors and must-taste dishes. End in style at the peaceful Chikurin-ji Temple, one of Shikoku's legendary 88 temples. A day that resonates with history, flavors and character.

• Katsurahama Beach and Ryoma Sakamoto statue
• Kochi Castle
• Hirome Market
• Chikurin-ji Temple

Get off at Kochi and start the adventure: Reach Katsurahama Beach, a crescent of sand surrounded by dark promontories and pine trees that look straight out of a defiant painting. Here, the bronze statue of Ryoma Sakamoto awaits you – it depicts the samurai who shook up Japan and who, still today, dominates the beach with his fearless gaze. Explore his small museum and breathe in the revolutionary air while you walk around a site renowned for centuries for its moon festivals.

Then, make your way to the heart of the town and enter Kochi Castle, declared a Japan's National Treasure, which unlike many other castles has survived the Second World War unscathed. Let over four centuries of history swallow you up, walking amid towers, yards and ancient timber that narrate Yamanouchi Kazutoyo's tenacity and its ten-year-long colossal construction.

From there, go down toward Hirome Market, built to spread local culture, and get ready for a sensory attack: Scents, stalls, sizzling noises and must-taste local specialties.

And just when you think you've seen it all, here's the peaceful Chikurin-ji Temple, one of Shikoku Pilgrimage's renowned 88 temples. . Amid pagodas, woods and meaningful silences, conclude your trip with a spiritual touch.

A day that will captivate you, thrill you and leave you with the desire to come back.

• Due to limited access to the beach and the many steps at the sites visited, this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.
• Guests are requested to take off their shoes at Kochi Castle.

Take a dive into the heart of Kochi right away. Stroll in front of rebellious waves on Katsurahama beach, guarded by the imposing Sakamoto Ryoma statue. Afterward, conquer the Kochi Castle and get lost amid the irresistible scents of eclectic Hirome Market. With its history, legends and flavors, Kochi will thrill and captivate you up to the last moment.

• Katsurahama Beach and Ryoma Sakamoto statue
• Kochi Castle
• Hirome Market

Set off with a purpose and let Kochi's rebellious soul sweep you away. In front of you is the legendary Katsurahama beach – you can't swim in the sea, but you can feel its powerful atmosphere, punctuated by the wind and the proud gaze of the Sakamoto Ryoma statue, depicting the visionary hero who contributed to the demise of feudal Japan in 1868. It's a place that challenges you, narrates you, grabs you.

Then, enter Kochi Castle and stroll amid the walls of one of the 12 remaining castles to have withstood fires, wars and centuries of power: From here, the Yamauchi lords ruled the Tosa region, and every hall guards stories and treasures now considered cultural heritage gems.

Finally, get sucked in by Hirome Market's irresistible buzz: A maze of flavors, cooks shouting out orders, the scent of local dishes and stalls, all spreading Kochi's lively essence (just as its name suggests).

Combining tradition, history and a Japanese lunch that reconnects you to authentic flavors, end the trip with some shopping before going back. The boldest and liveliest side of Japan is now etched on your memory!

• Guests are requested to take off their shoes at Kochi Castle.
• Due to limited access to Kochi Castle and to the beach, this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.

Take a dive into the heart of Kochi right away. Stroll in front of rebellious waves on Katsurahama beach, guarded by the imposing Sakamoto Ryoma statue. After a typical lunch, conquer Kochi Castle and get lost amid the irresistible scents of eclectic Hirome Market. With its history, legends and flavors, Kochi will thrill and captivate you up to the last moment.

• Katsurahama Beach and Ryoma Sakamoto statue 

• Kochi Castle
• Hirome Market
• Kochi Castle
• Typical lunch

Set off with a purpose and let Kochi's rebellious soul sweep you away. In front of you is the legendary Katsurahama beach – you can't swim in the sea, but you can feel its powerful atmosphere, punctuated by the wind and the proud gaze of the Sakamoto Ryoma statue, depicting the visionary hero who contributed to the demise of feudal Japan. It's a place that challenges you, narrates you, grabs you. Awe makes people hungry – you deserve the included typical lunch, perfect to dive even deeper into the local culture.

Then, enter Kochi Castle and stroll amid walls that have withstood fires, wars and centuries of power: From here, the Yamauchi lords ruled the Tosa region, and every hall guards stories and treasures now considered cultural heritage gems.

Finally, get sucked in by Hirome Market's irresistible buzz: A maze of flavors, cooks shouting out orders, the scent of local dishes and stalls, all spreading Kochi's lively essence (just as its name suggests).

Combining tradition, history and a Japanese lunch that reconnects you to authentic flavors, end the trip with some shopping before going back. The boldest and liveliest side of Japan is now etched on your memory!

• Guests are requested to take off their shoes at Kochi Castle.
• Due to limited access to Kochi Castle and to the beach, this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.

Get ready for an adventure for all ages, where nature reigns supreme. **Glide on the water surface on a canoe** on the Niyodo Blue river. Clear blue waters, concealed views you can't see from the land and, if you're lucky, the kingfishers that inhabit the area. Trust the certified instructors and set off to explore!

• Canoe experience on the Niyodo Blue river

Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable family experience! Jump on a canoe and let the Niyodo Blue charm you, a river with waters so clear that it appears magical. With certified instructors and an English-speaking guide always beside you, you'll be carefully looked after at all times: Before setting off on the water, you'll be given a short and clear briefing, also perfect for first timers. And then, off on an adventure, toward concealed places you can only reach via the river!

In March, the north wind acts as your natural engine: Feel it pushing you from behind and glide smoothly on areas the land cannot reach, amid picturesque landscapes, silent bends and views that reveal the valley's wildest side. A tour full of emotions, amid landscapes that look straight out of a fairy tale.

Let the canoe carry you to concealed places where nature reigns supreme and you might glimpse crested kingfishers and kingfishers as they fly by like colorful arrows: If you're lucky, you'll see them diving on the water, as if performing a perfect dance.

End the tour feeling that you passed through a secret world, which now is all yours!

• The tour is strictly dependent on the weather – as such, it may be canceled without notice in the event of adverse weather conditions.
• Bring a towel and a change of clothes with you.
• Minimum age 2 years.
• The tour is recommended for guests in good physical conditions.

Dive into the energy of Kochi: Reach Katsurahama Beach and brave the proud gaze of Ryoma Sakamoto statue, depicting the rebel who changed the history of Japan. Then let the irresistible bustle of Hirome Market overwhelm you, amid scents, colors and must-taste dishes! End in style with some local shopping. Get ready: Kochi will grab you... and never let you go.

• Katsurahama Beach and Ryoma Sakamoto statue
• Hirome Market

Set off with a purpose: Conquer Kochi in half a day, and do it in style. Start with Katsurahama Beach, an expanse of sand sculpted by the wind, where swimming is prohibited and the waves are unforgiving, but the views will captivate you from the first glance. Here, the imposing Ryoma Sakamoto statue awaits, the visionary hero who sparked off modern Japan by negotiating an alliance between the Choshu and Satsuma clans, contributing to the end of Japanese feudalism in 1868. Seeing it up close feels like the hero is trying to recruit you into his revolutionary fight.

Then, straight to Hirome Market, the beating heart of the city. A maze of stalls, laughs, scents and dishes worth more than a thousand guidebooks: Ultra-fresh fish, local specialties, craftspeople, colors everywhere. An irresistible mix, created to spread Kochi's culture. Here, you're not a visitor: Here, you're part of creative chaos.
Before coming back, spend some time in the local shops: The perfect way to end a tour encompassing history, culture and real life.

Get ready to be swept away: Kochi doesn't just show you its soul... it serves it on a steaming hot dish!

• Guests are requested to take off their shoes at Kochi Castle.
• Due to limited access to the beach, this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.