🗺️ Katsurahama桂浜

Katsurahama is located at the mouth of the Urado Peninsula in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, and is a crescent-shaped coastline that extends from the Upper Long Head Cape to the Lower Long Head Cape. It features picturesque pine forests, beaches, and the sea, making it one of the representative scenic spots of Kochi Prefecture. Additionally, a large statue of the famous Edo period figure Sakamoto Ryoma stands tall here. The Ryoma statue is 5.3 meters high, with a total height including the pedestal of 13.5 meters. Dressed in a kimono and wearing leather boots, Sakamoto Ryoma stands majestically, gazing towards the distant shores of the Pacific Ocean. During the commemorative dates of April to May and around November 15 (Ryoma's birthday and death anniversary), a special observation platform 13 meters high is set up next to the Ryoma statue, allowing visitors to view the Pacific Ocean from the same perspective as Ryoma. Katsurahama has been a famous moon-viewing spot since ancient times, and it is also sung about in the folk song YOSAKOI Festival, which says, "The famous moon-viewing place is Katsurahama." The seaside area is well-maintained as "Katsurahama Park," which also houses the Katsurahama Aquarium and the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum.

It is said that this place is particularly favored by Sakamoto Ryoma, who was born in Kochi Prefecture, which is why a statue of him has been erected here. In Katsurahama Park, in addition to the Sakamoto Ryoma statue, there is also the Katsurahama Aquarium and the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum. Kaizumi Shrine, built on Ryūō Cape, offers a fantastic view of the entire Katsurahama coastline. Due to the swift currents along the Katsurahama coastline, swimming is prohibited even in the summer.