Katsurahama
Sakamoto Ryoma Beach in Kochi
Katsurahama is a sandy beach shaped in a circular arc at the exit of Urado Bay, in the south of Kochi in Shikoku Island in Japan. Its scenic landscape opening on the Pacific Ocean belongs to a larger park comprising memorial sites and leisure facilities that makes a very popular family outing on weekends.
Katsurahama beach 🏖 draws an approximately 500 meters-long circular arc between capes Ryuzu and Ryo, located a few minutes walk away from the entrance of Katsurahama Park. The beach is signaled by a giant bronze statue of the end of the Edo period hero and native of the area, Ryoma Sakamoto (1836 – 1867), watching the horizon.
The scenic beach and its beautiful blue-green water are however only enjoyable from the shore: swimming is forbidden due to the danger caused by powerful waves washing the sand here. Its postcard view nonetheless includes the small Wadatsumi-jinja Shinto shrine perched on jagged rocks and surrounded by pine trees. From there, a rudimentary stairway under the trees connects to another shrine, Hayataka-jinja, that also offers other splendid views on the Pacific Ocean.
A stone path treads the rocks to Kochi Lighthouse, then to a modern, glass-walled building dedicated to the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum.
Leisure park for families
Once a renowned place for the contemplation of the full moon, the beach is now part of Katsurahama Park, a leisure facility mainly aiming at Japanese tourists, especially local families. At the entrance, Umi no terrace, that was just renovated in 2023 offers:
- Souvenirs and local specialties shops;
- Restaurants and cafes;
- Venues for cultural events (concerts, workshops) and a small museum themed on the beach.
Other remarkable features are:
- Goshiki no Terasu, an observation platform near Ryoma’s statue, which is a concrete structure with a panoramic view on the beach;
- An antiquated aquarium, located by the beach, but not spoiling the view of it.
While Katsurahama is considered one of Kochi’s symbols, the most beautiful part is actually only a restricted area. Moreover, the beach cannot not accommodate sunbathing activities or even a picnic, and it is not unusual to find beach litter washed up by ocean currents. Yet, Katsurahama Beach is worth the detour for a comprehensive tour of Kochi, or when interested in the history of Japan.