Katsura-hama Beach

Katsura-hama is a popular beach 13km south of central Kōchi at the point where Kōchi's harbour empties out into the bay. Unfortunately, strong currents prohibit swimming. Just before you get to the beach itself is Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum, where the exhibits are dedicated to the life of a local hero who was instrumental in bringing about the Meiji Restoration in the 1860s. Born in Kōchi in 1835, Ryōma brought about the alliance between the Satsuma (modern Kagoshima) and Chōshū (Yamaguchi) domains that eventually brought down the Tokugawa shogunate. He was killed in Kyoto in 1867, aged 32.

There is an aquarium on the beach, and a small shrine on the hillside. Buses run to Katsura-hama from Kōchi Station (¥610, 30 minutes, six daily) and Harimaya-bashi (¥560, 25 minutes, frequent).

The bloodthirsty traveller might enjoy the Tosa Dog Fighting Centre, which runs regular tournaments and sells fluffy versions of the tough Tosa breed.