Important Cultural Property (extant tower) / National Historic SiteShikoku

高知城

Kōchi Castle

城主

Yamauchi Kazutoyo / Yamauchi clan

時代

Built in 1601 (Keichō 6)

指定

Important Cultural Property (extant tower) / National Historic Site

所在地

1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kōchi, Kōchi

交通方式

About 5 min by streetcar from JR Kōchi Station to 'Kōchijō-mae,' then 10 min walk

概要

Kōchi Castle was built by Yamauchi Kazutoyo after receiving the Tosa domain for his service at Sekigahara. It is the only castle in Japan where both the tower and the main palace survive together. After being destroyed by fire in 1727, the current tower was rebuilt in 1749 and preserves its elegant watchtower-style form. Known as a great castle of the southern seas, it is famous for the photogenic composition capturing both the main gate and tower in a single frame. Tosa is also the birthplace of Sakamoto Ryōma, linking the castle to the stories of Bakumatsu-era patriots. The tower offers views of Kōchi city and the Pacific Ocean.

與刀劍的關聯

Tosa Province had its own tradition of swordsmiths, and Tosa swords were known for their practical, robust construction. Despite being an outer lord (tozama) family, the Yamauchi clan governed a large 240,000-koku domain that valued martial arts, fostering a rich sword culture. In the Bakumatsu era, Tosa produced numerous patriots including Sakamoto Ryōma, Nakaoka Shintarō, and Takechi Hanpeita, whose personal swords are objects of historical interest. The sword Mutsu-no-Kami Yoshiyuki, said to have been favored by Ryōma, is one of Tosa's most celebrated blades. The Kōchi Castle Museum of History (adjacent to the castle) displays Yamauchi-clan swords and Tosa armaments, offering deep insight into Tosa's martial heritage.