Seared-bonito (Tataki) making experience.
The land of Tosa (Kochi) goes hand in hand with seared-bonito.
　At the Kuroshio Koubou you can go through a "Seared-bonito making experience" (Apr〜Oct). There's an intermediate course where you start by filliting a whole fish, and a beginners course where the filliting has been done for you beforehand. Many customers bring their children along for the experience, too! Once all the preparation is done it's time to eat your self-made Tataki. It's sure to taste exceptional.

Painting appreciation in a small art museum.
　Founded in 1989 it was the first municipally run art museum in the prefecture. It houses over 600 works, by pioneering artists of Japan's oil painting world such as Housui Yamamoto, Seiki Kuroda, Yumeji Takehisa, Takeshi Hayashi, Ryouhei Koiso and Shikou Munakata, not forgetting Kochi local Hiroshi Okutani. It's the type of small art museum that makes you want to drop in on a whim.

The prefecture's oldest Sake distillery, and its gallery.
Founded in 1781 in the middle of the Edo period, Kochi Prefecture's oldest Sake distillery is now in the hands of the ninth generation of distillers with a 220 odd year history. The distillery is open for tours. There is also a gallery of original paintings from the "Tosa no Ippon-tsuri" cartoon by Mr. Yuusuke Aoyagi.

Famous for its Hachimanguu-Taisai fire festival.
Due to the loss of official records in an earthquake in 1707 the date of the shrine's foundation is unknown. However, ever since its establishment in the area it has attracted the stong faith of local fishermen. There is no end to the sight of ladies praying for the fishermen's safe return. On the 14th and 15th of the lunar callendar the Kure Hachimanguu-Taisai, one of Kochi's 3 biggest festivals, is held. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year

The legenday island brought by an ogre.
　Kure's cove was once plagued by typhoons every year. Then one day two ogres (parent and child) brought a huge rock, placing it in the harbour to protect the people. The rock became Futana Island and the legend came to be. There is a large hole left where one of the ogres skewered the rock with its metal club. Please come check it out for yourself. The island is now connected all the way to the mainland.

The beach commanding a view of Futana Island.
With a view of Futana Island stretching out before it, the beach has a serene atmosphere. You'll not be in want of food here as restaurant Nakatosaya-Futana is right beside the seashore. In summer the beach is host to many camping cars.

Take a walk with a Kure crazy guide.
Take a walk around the fishing town of Kure with a guide that's crazy about the place. Why not check out the Taisho fish market where freshly caught seafood is sold by the fishermen's wives, the oldest Sake distillery in the prefecture, and the prefectuer's first municipally run art museum?
※The course varies according to each guide and time at hand.

The pilgrimage track that has left behind precious footprints of the area's pioneers.
Around since the Middle Ages, the track stetches almost 5km from Nagasawa in Nakatosa up to Tokonabe in Shimanto Town. The track was a passage up to the main road to the Hata area (near what is now known as Shimanto City). Along the way there is the grave of a pilgrim (Onamisan) the story of which has been passed down by locals over the ages. There are also the remains of tea houses near the mountain pass that were run up until the Meiji era.
The remains of a tea house that has grown over with a black bamboo grove, is said to be the training place of a pilgrim call Kuukai. Legend has it that Kuukai built the retreat and used it to observe the moon over Kure harbour. He is also said to have carved Jizou statues and a statue of himself in prayer.
Why not ascend this ancient road with a guide that loves both hiking and history?
※Guided tours go from the Nagasawa area up to the Nanako pass.
※The track can be used even without a guide.

The beautiful cherry blossom boulevard.
There are more than 200 Someyoshino cherry blossom trees planted along a 700 metre stretch of Kure's Osaka valley river. When the trees come into blossom, lanterns are set in place and the area comes alive with visitors who come for cherry blossom viewing parties.

The kindness of the ladies, and the determination of the fishermen.
Kaminokae, a fishing town that overflows with the kindness of its ladies and the determination of its fishermen. Depending on the season you can try out a variety of fishing techniques (net, cage and rod fishing). When the day's fishing is done you're in for a treat. The ladies from the Kaminokae Fishing Co-op will prepare a special seasoned rice dish using the freshest of fish.

A promenade surrounded by nature.
The Nadayama virging forest is situated on Mt. Kaezaki. It takes just 30 minutes to the mountain's peak where you'll find the remains of Kumoi Castle. Amongst the ruins you'll find clusters of giant camphor trees, Japanese oaks, chinquapin trees forming a virging forest. You can take in the grandure of nature that far surpasses any man-made creation.

You can even go scuba-diving.
Yaiga's scuba-diving service offers the first diving spot in Kochi's central region. You can enjoy diving off a boat in dynamic waters where yellow tail and amberjack are aplenty. For those living in the Setonai area it's possible to make a day trip of it. Beginners are more than welcome. You'll be taken care of by skilled diving instructors who will ensure you have an enjoyable time while keeping you safe. There is also the option of snorkelling.

Just try stopping this angler's finger!
The number of fishing rafts in Kochi Prefecture have increased remarkably of late. However, Yaiga's fishing raft has been in operation since 1995 and is seen as a pioneering existance in the trade. You can look forward to big game such as yellow tail, sea bream and opal eye.

A truly beautiful beach.
This is Koyaiga beach, a little known camping spot enjoyed by the locals. As the area hasn't been exploited there is plenty of nature around. It's the idelic place to get away from the noise of the city. It's also a great spot to go for a swim.

Gaze upon the star filled sky.
Situated on the banks of the Shimanto River, the camp site is kept busy in spring with outdoor enthusiasts. It is a natural camp site without excessive alterations. It makes a great spot for even first time campers wanting to let their children run around in the surrounds of the magnificent Shimanto River. During summer holidays it is the scene of the town's largest population influx.

A ravine abound in nature.
Shimanogawa Ravine is blessed with the bounty of nature year round. Of the four seasons autumn is the most splendid, with crystal clear water and the changing colour of the leaves creating a tranquil, cleansing landscape that speads out before your eyes. In a move to further improve the charm of the area, locals have been taking part in a reforestation project since 2001.

It's a fantastic sight.
You can see fireflies in the Onomi district from the beginning of June through mid July. There is only a limited time to take in this spectical, so many people make a point of coming each year. The concentration of fireflies changes from year to year, but the Kudarugawa, Haginaka and Kawaoku areas tend to have stable numbers dancing about and throwing their light across the river's surface.
The appearance of the fireflies depends on the weather. Also, please take care whrere you step while enjoying the light show.

The fantastically unique Manga Shrine.
"What on earth...!?" are often the words said by people as their eyes catch first gimpse of the colourful roof. Then moving to see what's inside, you're greeted by the shrine's fantastically unique deity. Leading up to the manga (comic) drawing tournament high school students come to pray for their victory.

Carp of a multitude of colours.
Looking down at the Shimanto River from the bridge in front of Onomi Town Hall, you can see carp of a multitude of different colours. You can even make your way down to the riverbank for a closer look. You simply must come see these beautiful carp swimming in the crystal clear waters.