Kochi Castle 高知城

There are little treasures that can only be found if you leave the classic circuits a little. Far from the tourist axes , the city of Kochi, located in the very south of the smallest of the four main Japanese islands, is nevertheless home to a castle classified as an "Important Cultural Property" of Japan since 1950 . Studio Ghibli even featured it in one of its movies, "I Can Hear the Ocean."

A RESISTANT BUILDING

The building, in wood and stone , located in the middle of the city center, denotes a little between the wide avenues with modern shops and high buildings of several floors. It was in 1603 that the castle was built on Mount Otsukasaka. It is one of the few Japanese castles from the Edo period (1603-1868) to have survived a good number of disasters , even if the building had to be rehabilitated several times, notably in the 18th century.

However, rare enough to be noted, its wooden tenshu keep and the lord's apartments connected to it are still from the period . This allows Kochi Castle to be included in the small, very closed circle of authentic Japanese castles , only made up of 12 members. The tower, destroyed many times, was rebuilt identically and according to the plans of the initial tower.

Other authentic castles:

• Himeji
• Hirosaki
• Matsue
• Hikone
• Inuyama
• Matsuyama

ARCHITECTS TRICKS

For the anecdote, know that its architect had the idea of creating a false door , which would give the illusion to the enemies that once pressed, they would enter the very enclosure of the castle. Serious mistake: they land directly in a space where the samurai lived, ready to fight. It is in this space, of which only the outlines remain today, that many Japanese people meet to celebrate Hanami , under the many cherry trees.

A VISIT RICH IN INFORMATION

The castle, called yamashiro (castle in height) like that of Ono , is easy to visit, with a small explanatory brochure in English and allows you to learn a little more about the building, such as for example that it actually has six floors , whereas, from the outside, everything seems to indicate that it only has five. Sixth floor which also allows to have a superb panorama on the city prefecture. Tea room, entrance, latrines, bedrooms, veranda… the visit is vast and it takes 45 minutes to tour the entire building.

Before leaving the premises, do not forget to take a look at the roof: you will find two shachihoko , mythical animals that protect buildings against fire.