
- Kochi Castle Honmaru Palace: One of Only Two Surviving Edo-era Palace Buildings in Japan
- Discover the historic Honmaru Palace at Kochi Castle—one of only two original Edo-period palace structures still standing in Japan, also known as Kaitokukan.
Last updated:
When it comes to Kochi Castle, most people immediately think of its original Edo-period structures—the keep and Honmaru Palace. However, one of the most fascinating parts of visiting is the journey leading up to the keep itself.
As you walk through the grounds, you’ll encounter historic ruins like stone walls, turrets, and gates, harmonizing with natural scenery and offering a changing view at every turn.
The walking distance isn’t long—just about 5 to 10 minutes from Otemon Gate to the main keep. As long as you understand the route ahead of time, it’s a pleasantly manageable experience.
In this article, we’ll start from Otemon Gate—the front entrance of Kochi Castle—and introduce the many highlights you can enjoy along the way to the top. We hope this guide helps you plan your visit.
Kochi Castle is located in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, and is the only castle in Japan where the original keep, Honmaru Palace, and Otemon Gate all still remain.
It was constructed in 1601 by the feudal lord Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, who earned recognition in the Battle of Sekigahara.
Today, the grounds are maintained as Kochi Park, with stone walls, turrets, and bronze statues of historical figures scattered throughout the area—making it a site rich in historical attractions.
Let’s start by reviewing the walking route from Kochi Castle’s main entrance, Otemon Gate, to the keep.
Along this route, you’ll pass the following highlights in order:
The red line on the map indicates the “Straight Route” as shown in the official Kochi Castle pamphlet.
This is the shortest path (about 5–10 minutes on foot) to reach the keep, but the journey is filled with fascinating spots worth stopping for.
The journey through Kochi Castle begins on the east side of Kochi Park, where a grand sight awaits.
As you approach the main entrance, a statue of the castle’s founding lord, Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, on horseback greets you.
Clad in armor and poised atop his horse, the statue exudes dignity and reflects the pride of the early castle era.
Otemon Gate stands at the castle’s front, impressive in both height and weight.
It is a rare surviving gate from the Edo period and still conveys the solemnity and authority of its time.
This is the first major highlight where visitors can feel the history and grandeur of Kochi Castle.
Right after passing through Otemon Gate, a spacious plaza opens up. This is the ideal place to prepare for your castle stroll.
On one side of the plaza, you’ll find the tourist information center, where you can pick up pamphlets and maps or ask questions to the staff. You can also book a guided tour here.
Free lockers and restrooms are also available.
Get ready here before proceeding. The path ahead includes an uphill slope, so travel as light as possible.
This statue honors Itagaki Taisuke, a statesman from Kochi who led the Freedom and People’s Rights Movement in the Meiji era—a key figure in Japan’s democratic history.
This movement aimed to establish civil rights and public participation in politics during Japan’s modernization.
His raised right hand embodies his unwavering resolve for political reform.
As you step deeper into the castle grounds, you’ll immediately face massive stone walls and a staircase of grand scale.
These enormous walls, meticulously built in the late Sengoku period, are so well-constructed and elegant that it’s hard to believe they were made centuries ago. Their functional beauty and grandeur are awe-inspiring.
Following the stone steps that trace the walls feels like walking through layers of history. This majestic ascent, framed by stonework, is one of Kochi Castle’s most underappreciated highlights.
Due to Kochi’s heavy rainfall, effective water drainage was a priority in castle construction.
The stone walls were built using the “Nozura-zumi” technique, which uses natural, uneven stones that allow for better water drainage.
A key element of this system is the “stone drainage outlet.” These are stone-built channels embedded into the walls to carry rainwater out of the castle. They often protrude from the wall’s surface.
This design prevents rainwater from flowing directly over the wall surface, which protects the foundation from erosion and reduces the risk of collapse—an example of the foresight and craftsmanship of ancient builders.
Kazutoyo’s wife, Chiyo, is known as a wise and devoted partner who supported her husband during the Sengoku period.
One well-known story tells how she used her dowry to purchase a fine horse, helping Kazutoyo gain recognition and rise through the ranks.
Before the Battle of Sekigahara, she is also said to have secretly delivered intelligence from Osaka to assist in military decisions.
This statue pays tribute to the woman who quietly supported the Yamanouchi family’s rise and Kochi Castle’s history.
Though silent, her graceful figure conveys a strong, enduring spirit that helped shape an era.
The Sannomaru Stone Wall was completed in the final phase of Kochi Castle’s construction and stands up to 13 meters tall. Built using the “Nozura-zumi” method with natural stones, the wall has a powerful and enduring presence.
In the past, a magnificent palace over 1,800 square meters once stood atop this wall.
During restoration in the Heisei period, expert stonemasons—preserving Edo-period techniques—carefully rebuilt the wall using the original stones. The project cost about 400 million yen.
While climbing the steps toward the keep, you might find yourself looking only at your feet—but this spot is where you should turn around.
There, rising impressively from below, the keep of Kochi Castle appears above the stone walls, standing tall and proud.
This angle is one of the most photogenic in the castle. The keep appears against the sky, boldly perched atop the stone walls—its symmetry and presence are truly breathtaking.
Once you climb the final steps, the view opens up into a spacious area known as Ninonomaru Plaza.
From here, you’re just moments away from the main keep and Honmaru—this is the castle’s most dramatic zone.
Ninonomaru Plaza is a broad, open space right before the keep—perfect for a quick break.
What stands out here is a charming vendor cart decorated with colorful banners and hand-painted signs.
They sell “Icekurin,” a famous local ice cream, along with ramune soda—popular with both tourists and families.
On a hot day, the gentle sweetness and coolness are just what you need to recharge after the climb.
Now that you’ve made it this far, treat yourself to something sweet, then head through the Tsume-mon Gate—the entrance to Honmaru—and on to the keep.
Passing through the Tsume-mon Gate brings you into the Honmaru—the heart of Kochi Castle. You’ve arrived at the final destination: the main keep.
Here you’ll find the symbolic core of Kochi Castle—the main keep and the original Edo-period Honmaru Palace (Kaitokukan).
This is the most historically significant area of the entire castle and contains rare structures not found elsewhere in Japan.
Admission is 500 yen and includes a tour through the Honmaru Palace followed by the keep.
The Honmaru Palace (Kaitokukan) was used for official functions such as formal ceremonies and welcoming distinguished guests.
Its interior, built in the refined “shoin-zukuri” architectural style, preserves the solemn atmosphere of feudal politics and culture.
Only two Honmaru Palaces still remain in Japan, and Kochi Castle’s is one of them.
For more about the tour route and architectural details of the palace, see the following article:
Read more about Honmaru Palace (Kaitokukan)
The keep of Kochi Castle is one of Japan’s “twelve surviving original keeps,” preserved since the Edo period.
Inside, you’ll find the original wooden framework, steep staircases, narrow windows, and architectural defenses designed to fend off invaders.
From the top floor, you can take in a panoramic view of Kochi City—just as the feudal lords once did.
For details on the keep’s structure and visitor route, see this article:
Read more about Kochi Castle Main Keep
The route from Otemon Gate to the Honmaru is filled with dynamic historic structures, clever engineering, and hidden photo spots—making the journey itself a core part of the Kochi Castle experience. As we’ve shown, the highlights of Kochi Castle go far beyond just the keep and Honmaru Palace.
The footsteps of Lord Kazutoyo, the quiet strength of his wife Chiyo, the ingenious stone drainage protecting the walls, and the commanding view of the keep—all of these elements bring Kochi Castle to life in a multi-dimensional way.
While exploring the castle, we encourage you to notice the small discoveries and fragments of history along the way—not just the main structures.
With each step upward, the character of the castle changes—that’s the true charm of visiting Kochi Castle.